09/04/2026
Okay y’all, I’ve been seeing a LOT of photographers copy and pasting their statements about no longer posting their clients’ children because of the recent ruling surrounding AI generated CSAM.
And listen… I understand the fear. I understand wanting to protect children. I’m a parent too, and protecting kids should ALWAYS be the priority.
But I’m going to give y’all a little different perspective from this “small town photographer” over here.
I’m currently not planning to stop posting my clients’ families… as long as I have their parents’ permission.
That doesn’t mean I don’t care about my clients as many of these post from photographers are implying. It doesn’t mean I don’t care about their privacy. And it definitely doesn’t mean I’m unaware of the dangers that exist online.
I just don’t think photographers who have permission from a child’s parent should suddenly be treated like we’re part of the problem.
Honestly, I’ve never posted a family who wasn’t already comfortable putting their family online. And I’ve adjusted plenty of contracts to not include a model release for those families who don’t post their families. I’m not sneaking pictures of anybody’s babies onto Facebook. Their parents know. They see the images. They give me permission.
And here’s something else I’ve been thinking about…
A LOT of the photographers saying they won’t post children anymore are still using AI in their businesses.
AI is built into so many of the programs we use now. Photoshop has AI. Editing programs have AI. There are AI tools being used for calls, marketing, editing, culling, and all kinds of things.
I haven’t even updated my Photoshop since 2023. And honestly?! I’ve intentionally left it that way because I don’t WANT to see how much easier AI can make it to manipulate the images I create. I also don’t like adding my clients photos into ai programs bc many moms like me don’t use programs like chat gpt with their kids faces.
Meanwhile, our kids are living in a world full of cameras.
They go to Walmart.
They go to restaurants.
They go to sporting events.
They go to school.
They walk through parking lots.
There are cameras everywhere.
We hand huge companies access to our photos (think google “allow access to all photos”)
Many post our kids on social media. People are uploading pictures of their families into AI programs.
So I guess what I’m saying is…
I don’t think the answer is to shame or villainize photographers who make a different decision with informed parental consent.
Maybe our bigger call to action should be aimed at the people who actually make the laws.
Our lawmakers have the ability to create laws that protect children from exploitation and emerging technologies. We should be holding them accountable when those laws fail to keep up.
❌Protect children.
❌Demand better laws.
❌Hold lawmakers accountable.
❌Be informed about the technology we are willingly giving access to our families.
But let’s make sure we’re villainizing the right people.
Elect people who will protect children.
Hold them accountable when they don’t.
Pay attention to what laws are being passed. GET POLITICAL!
It helps no one “staying neutral”
Learn what technology we’re giving access to our families.
And please, protect your babies however you feel is right for YOUR family. If you don’t want your child’s picture online, I will absolutely respect that. ❤️
I refuse to believe that photographers are the villains for doing what we’ve been doing for generations…capturing families, sharing our work, and celebrating childhood.
Just a different perspective from your neighborhood photographer. ❤️📸
And y’all know I’m always going to speak my mind! -Willow bee photography
