When Inspiration Becomes Deception

I’m sure you’ve seen posts before… photographers advertising sessions with “inspiration” photos. Sure, they add the disclaimer that the photos aren’t theirs, and they may even credit the original photographer. They just want to give an idea of what they want to make happen for their clients. It’s not like they’re claiming the photo is theirs, so what’s the harm?

Posts like these are actually far more harmful than many realize… ranging from unethical to straight up illegal.

The second a photographer snaps that shutter, the image taken becomes their property. They hold the copyright unless it is explicitly given to someone else. When a photographer advertises using another photographer’s work, without said photographer’s permission, they are breaking copyright law. And no, adding a caption does not magically make it part of “fair use”. Copyright infringement carries HEAVY penalties… sometimes tens of thousands of dollars worth… is that worth the risk?

Let’s pretend you actually have permission to post the image that isn’t yours. Maybe you bought it on a stock photo site… maybe you purchased the rights to the photo from the photographer… who knows?

As someone with over a decade in this industry, I will tell you there is FAR more than makes up an image than just props, poses, and fun ideas. It’s editing style. It’s camera angle. It’s lighting. It’s composition.

The purpose of a portfolio is to showcase YOUR work, not the work you WANT to create. By posting “inspiration” photos rather than examples of your own work, you make an empty promise to your clients. Any consumer has the right to know what they are purchasing. If you are advertising ABCD to your clients but actually deliver ABFG, you run the risk of clients who are not only dissatisfied but who also no longer trust you.

Using inspiration photos is a common mistake, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t do it once or twice back in my early days. If you are someone who has done this, it’s better to admit your mistake and learn from it rather than dig your heels in, block the original photographer, and keep doing it (yes, I’ve seen the latter happen).

What to do instead? Host a model call! Gather your ideas/props/fun stuff and take your own advertising photos! Offer free photos to your models/volunteers. Can’t do a model call? Take a photo of your props and describe what you’d like to do and let your prior work speak for itself.

Bottom line? Don’t use the work of others to sell your own work. Your work should be a reflection of you… amazing, awesome, YOU!