torn

[Kawarthabob]

I have been asked by a family member if I could download my images onto their computer so they may view them whenever they want. This family member was instrumental in me being able to afford my equipment and is my biggest fan so to speak. The problem for me is that they want all my images and I only would agree to put on what I think is my best work. At the same time I really don't want to transfer any images because they are my own and I don't want anything "emailed" to other people without my consent. I don't have a problem with giving a print to any family member if they want one. i have tried to put this off for as long as i can. Have any of you come across a dilemma such as mine? What are your thoughts on this?

[Matt K.]

It's a family member. Do you think they are going to use it to make money off youand cut you out of the loop?

Personally, I love it when others enjoy my photography. If I can make someone's day a bit brighter, then I am happy.

[Bambi]

I guess it depends on what you think they will do with them. An option is to make sure they have your signature on them. I wouldn't give them all my photos just my best work.

[Greg_Nuspel]

You should only share what you want to. They should understand you have stuff that is for your eyes only. If they insist take the shots and boost the exposure or cut it by 3 stops and then give them the results

[casil403]

I post my shots to (flickr or any other photo sharing site for that matter) so my family members, friends etc. can see them whenever they want. They can send others the link too.

[Marko]

I feel your dilemma KB and it seems like you are in a tough spot.

Personally....I would do as casil suggests - upload them to flickr for all the world to see whenever they want.

I would never give anyone my rejects cuz they are rejects. It makes no difference to me if their eyes are so unskilled that they think the rejects are Shinola. In order to spare the family member's feelings, i might say something like "I'm an artist now" so I can only show my best work. If they insisted on having the images on their computer...I might consider a slide show of lower res images....

Seems like this family member may feel that they are entitled you your work, this is simply false but it's up to you to tell them it's false in a very diplomatic way. I might also get some big beautiful prints of my work so that they could hang them in their home. That may ease their disappointment a bit.

[Kawarthabob]

The other problem I have is that I only want my "best" to be shown. I have offered to print these off and even frame them but this family member insists on having all of them because what I consider not my best work might "appeal" to another person. Maybe they want to see a progression of my work as it gets better?

[Bambi]

so I know that this difficult but the answer is 'no'. I buy my daughter's art supplies all the time. I don't believe it means I own the work she creates with it. this person is being too controlling IMO.