What a relief when the rain finally stopped just in time for our senior session at Marcelle Vivrette Smith Park! The ground was still wet, but we made it work with a step stool for sitting poses.
This park is perfect for spring sessions with its tree-lined path, small pond, and stone springhouse. We got so many different looks without having to trek all over the place.
During our time together, we talked about how I handle privacy on social media. I wanted to share my approach since it might not be obvious to everyone.
First and foremost, I completely respect when clients prefer not to have their photos shared at all. While I do appreciate the opportunity to showcase my work (it’s how future clients find me!), your comfort is always the priority. I actually include a question about sharing on socials in my client questionnaire. But especially with teens, I try to remember to ask them directly too, not just their parents. Their comfort with being featured on my business page matters just as much to me, and they possibly have different preferences than their parents expect.
For the clients who do allow me to share their images, I’ve developed some personal guidelines that I follow consistently. The big one is that I don’t tag clients or use their names in my posts. This isn’t because I’m not proud of the amazing people I photograph – quite the opposite! It’s simply my way of giving clients control over their online presence. You’re absolutely welcome to tag yourself, share the images, and tell the world about your experience if you choose to, but I wanted that decision to remain firmly in your hands.
It’s especially important to me when photographing young people that their full names aren’t directly connected to their images in a way that makes them easily searchable. I want my posts to focus on the artistry of the photography and the genuine moments we captured, rather than creating a digital footprint someone might not want down the road.
I’m not sure if this is common practice among photographers, but it’s the approach that feels right to me. It’s just one small way I try to balance sharing my work with respecting the privacy of the amazing people who trust me to capture their memories.
If you’re interested in booking your own spring session at this beautiful location (or any other spot around Spring Hill), I’d love to hear from you!
