Asking wedding photographer not to post pictures on social media

You are right, you can't do any more than ask. They are her work and she free to share as she likes.

That wouldn't be a great business decision for her to disrespect a client's wishes, perhaps, but it's still her choice.

Tell her just what you told us, in a nice way, and ask if it can be added to the contract that she won't post the photos on social media, and only on her actual website. I'm sure she will understand if you ask very nicely! =)

You can try, but I don't think you'll find many professionals who will agree. They own the rights to their work.

Most photographers I've spoken to would respect a client's wishes if they asked not to have their photos shared on social media but were okay with on the portfolio site.

Frankly, if they don't agree, I wouldn't work with them.

But as PP have said, she owns the copyright and will do as she wishes.

My photographer had us sign a release form in order to be able to do that. If you don't want her to put them on social media, I definitely think you should politely ask her not to share them.

Our videographer posts highlight videos on youtube, we didn't feel comfortable with that. We asked him not to and he said it was no problem.

Our videographer posts highlight videos on youtube, we didn't feel comfortable with that. We asked him not to and he said it was no problem.

I think you should just ask, most likely your photographer wants to keep a good relationship with you and will respect your wishes. Maybe she can share some photos (like detail shots) without sharing photos of your faces.

I would ask, or at least just ask if you can get approval for the picture she chooses? Maybe she can pick a "less intimate" photo. Personally I'm excited/hoping our photographer thinks we're "share-worthy" but i'm sure they'll be understandable

Just say what you said here - we asked ours to not post anything until we had seen it and approved (I also specified, in the contract, that there shouldn't be any "intimate" photos - I teach, the last thing I want is one of my HS students pulling a photo of my in my blue lace panties getting into my dress...awkward!), because of the very public nature of my job. I love in a small city, that is more like a big town when it comes to social media. It bothers me that people who know me in a periphreal way would see photos of our wedding before me. He was super nice and understanding about these requests, even though normally his stuff is all over social media - it's basically free advertising for them, so I do get it! They want to get their name out there!

As a few others have mentioned, check your contract carefully! Our photographer's contract has a line in there about using the pictures on social media and their website. I'm sure they would respect your wishes, as long as you let them know what your wishes are!

I don't know if you have already signed the contract, but I like the idea of crossing out the line and dating and initialing. If she insists, you can also negotiate only a pic of rings or something without your faces.