09/30/2026
As the holiday season approaches, I want to reiterate something that shouldn’t really need to be said: my photos are not to be used as “inspo” or as references for creating your own advertisements, Christmas setups, or client work. I’ve seen more and more photographers use the excuse of “it’s just for inspiration.” Call it whatever you want, but taking someone else’s work, recreating it for your own business, or removing a watermark so you can use it as a reference is not okay. It’s stealing, and it’s copyright infringement.
I can somewhat understand seeing this from brand-new photographers who are still learning the industry. But from established photographers who know better? Especially those who intentionally remove watermarks or try to be sneaky about it? That’s not cool. We’re working in an industry already dealing with AI, oversaturation, and an increasing amount of blatant copying. Please don’t contribute to that.
Do the hard work. Create your own concepts. Photograph your own sets (in this case, reach out to the actual farm). Collaborate with vendors. Experiment, fail, learn, and develop a style that is actually yours. It might take more time, but I promise it’s so much more rewarding for your growth as an artist and for the trust you build with your clients.
And for the photographers who genuinely put in that work: I see you, and I appreciate you. For clients looking to book holiday photos and scrolling through all the cute Christmas inspiration right now: please vet your photographers. Pay attention to whether the work they’re advertising is actually their own, whether they have a consistent body of work, and whether they’re creating or simply recreating someone else’s ideas.
Support who are putting in the work to make something of their own. 🤍