Am I being rude to my photographer?
Long story short(ish):
I've (25f) worked with a photographer (40f) since I was 13. When she was getting her start I would model for her.
I've gotten many wonderful complimentary shoots over the years with fantastic work.
She grew into a friend as well.
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Here is the biggest problem over the years... she wouldn't ever let me choose the photos I wanted to be edited, except for a budior shoot. She always chose ones she liked and used them.
After watching her editing process recently I'm certain there is a reason for her own selection, lighting, graininess, etc.
This has always bothered me because she'll spend time editing a photo, send it to me, and I dislike it. People are picky about how they look, I am no exception.
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We recently did two shoots for a business I started. I paid for them, by choice, she did not ask for payment. Therefore I wanted to see my photos and choose them before she edited them. For once.
Our most recent shoot was at a 1950s themed restaurant, absolutely gorgeous. My business theme is 1950s, and it's an era I personally love. They went out of business hardly 2 weeks after the shoot. I'll never be able to go there again.
She had already uploaded some of the photos she chose, and we hopped on a video call. I chose photos I liked. We selected around 45 photos, which I knew was likely too high of a number for her to edit and add to the folder. She uploaded 2 photos during the call. That was it. Maybe 12 photos in total.
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I find her unedited work to be better than her edited work sometimes, this shoot was one of those times.
She doesn't want her name associated with photos she hasn't added her style to, which I can understand. However, her logo isn't even on the photos she has uploaded, and she set the stage, set up the lighting, and took the photo. It's still her artistry.
So I asked her for the unedited images because I'll never be able to go back there, and that shoot meant a lot to me.
I'm being ignored. Because of our friendship, there was no contract or any promises made regarding the images.
I'm sure I'll be asked why I didn't just use someone else. That's because I've never seen work so good, at any price point, edited or unedited.
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I've introduced her to many venues over the years, and she has gained a lot of experience while working with me.
I simply want the unedited photos and want our relationship to end since neither of us are getting what we want.
I'll miss her, but that was the shoot of a lifetime for me.
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How should I approach this with her at this point?
Am I being incredibly rude and inconsiderate for wanting more photos from a place I'll never see again?
How rude is it to ask for unedited photos in this case?
Posted Jul 29, 2026, 6:57 AM UTC