LUCAS PASSMORE

Indeed, I think anything you post– regardless of resolution– can be stolen and used… that’s kinda the trade-off with using the internet as a platform. I was informed someone was selling prints of my pics of Alexis Ren on Deviant Art’s website for $100/per; I’ve seen my work re-posted on clothing brands’ Instagram profiles as “inspo” pics, without credit or compensation (and yes, even inspo pics count as promotion/advertising when used by a formal business).

Two years ago, I walked into Alternative Apparel in Venice California, and was surprised to see a giant print of an image from a test shoot I took hanging next to their register. The model wasn’t even wearing their clothes, but I guess the mood of the pic was something they wanted on display?…

In fact, Fae Swim just used a picture on their business Insta-page that I took of Cassie Amato wearing one of their suits that is currently for sale– while they did credit me, they did not ask my permission, nor likely I am not going to see any compensation. AND to add insult to injury, they are hiring another photographer to shoot their new campaign, WITH Cassie… and I know this, because that other photographer is my good friend (something I’m guessing they didn’t know). So… that’s just so super cool of them.  

…I can spend my time chasing everyone down and threatening legal intervention– but it’s just going to happen again and again. A lot of times, my fans will shame a brand or person into removing my stolen images, which is very much appreciate and I love them for. But all-in-all, short of seeing my images used in print advertising/billboards, there’s not a ton of legal ground I have…best I can do is publicly shame the assholes who do it.

Haha– you’re literally the 14th person to ask me! In order (click for links):

- Blood, Sweat, and Tears by Bruce Weber

- Amber, Guinevere, and Kate by Craig McDean

- LA Style by Herb Ritts

- A Different Vision of Fashion Photography by Peter Lindbergh