Letter to the Editor, And Nailed's Response
“What happens when a nude model changes their mind?”
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To Whom It May Concern,
First of all I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to publish my photography in Nailed Magazine. I am so happy that this dream of being published has come to fruition and have you all to thank! Unfortunately, I am experiencing some problems with one of my models, who also happens to be a close friend. She has been in Ethiopia working for the Peace Corps for the last few years. When I initially posted the link on Facebook to the magazine and my feature I tagged the people who were in the photos as well as friends who were not so they would make sure to see it. A day or so later my friend e-mailed me because she was afraid to be tagged and have her name linked to her nude photos. This had to do with people in Ethiopia seeing it and it causing a possible problem with her reputation, as well as possibly her safety. We had a lengthy discussion via e-mail and she became comfortable when I deleted the link and asked all others who had shared it to do the same. I also told her we could change the slider photo on the link on Facebook, which also would make her more comfortable. I have been trying to go to great lengths to be accommodating. Now she has asked me to take her photos off the photo essay completely. She is upset because the photos are being displayed online and not in a gallery where they wouldn't permanently be displayed. Her reasoning is that her values have changed. This is unfortunate. Even more unfortunate is the fact that I have no model release. We had a verbal agreement. I have looked online and found the laws to be very confusing in these regards. It does seems though that since I am not selling these pieces but showing them in a photo essay/gallery style that I am within my legal rights as a photographer and artist. I am very frustrated to be coming to you with this as I would like to have a good working reputation with you and continue the relationship we have started. I do not want my feature removed and want you to be comfortable having it up as well. I feel that I have been accommodating to this person but when it comes down to it I am not responsible for the shifting of her values. I feel that if we could remove her photos from the essay it would solve all the issues. I also understand that it is probably a process to say the least. Please let me know what you decide. I am extremely sorry to add pressure to your lives as I know the launching of a magazine on top of everyday life is a lot of work. Thank you for taking the time to discuss this with me.
J.E.
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J.E.,
Thank you for your thorough consideration, thoughtfulness, and professionalism regarding this matter. Matty and I (the publishers) will accommodate the model, even though we agree that this situation is very unfortunate because we believe the photos are beautiful and artful, and very clearly nothing to be ashamed of. In the interest of keeping a copasetic on-going relationship with you, the photographer, whose work we really love, we'd like to appease you as well. I'm sure Shenyah has told you that your work is a particularly good fit for Nailed Magazine, and we would love to publish more of your photography again as soon as you have another photo essay to send to us.
I will take care of the two photographs today, remove them from the site, and if I can find something to replace them with from the images that you sent initially, then I will. Otherwise it will be a short essay, which is also fine.
All the best, and again, thank you,
Carrie
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