09/02/2026
A Note to My Families…
As of August 28, 2026, new laws have taken effect here in Missouri addressing the use of artificial intelligence and digitally altered images involving minors, including circumstances where an identifiable child’s image is used to create inappropriate or sexually explicit material.
As a photographer, the safety and privacy of the families and children I photograph has always been extremely important to me. With the growing capabilities of AI, I have made the decision to take additional precautions with the images of children I share publicly.
If you have previously given me permission to share your child’s photos, please expect that I will be removing images where your child’s face is clearly identifiable from my social media and other public-facing platforms. This is not because there is anything wrong with the photographs themselves, but because I do not want to take any chances with how an image of your child could potentially be misused once it is publicly available.
Part of my job as a photographer is using social media to showcase my work and promote my business. However, I will never compromise the privacy or safety of a child simply for the sake of marketing my business.
I will absolutely continue photographing families and children, and this decision will not change the quality, creativity, or type of images you receive from your session. You will still receive the full collection of beautiful family photographs from your session. The difference is simply that I will be much more intentional about what I choose to share publicly. When I share family sessions, I may use photographs where children’s faces are turned away, obscured, cropped, or otherwise not clearly identifiable.
My goal is simply to be proactive and do everything I can to help keep the children I photograph safe.
Thank you so much for your understanding and for trusting me with your families. Your children’s safety will always be more important to me than a social media post.
- Payton
