That viral “mom hack” for saving money on school photos? It could end up costing far more in legal fees and opening unexpected privacy risks. As a photographer, this is what I would do instead
Parents online are using ChatGPT to avoid school photo costs, but asking AI to remove a photograph's watermark is copyright infringement
A popular "mom hack" for reducing the cost of school photos has surfaced online, but experts warn it could lead to significant financial and privacy consequences. Influencers on social media are showcasing two methods to avoid paying for professional school photos. The first involves taking a child's photo, uploading it to AI, and asking the AI to remove watermarks.
The second method suggests taking a smartphone snapshot and using AI to make it appear more like a school photograph. While both hacks aim to save money, they come with substantial risks. Removing watermarks from a photograph is considered copyright infringement, with fines in the US ranging from $750 to $150,000 and potentially higher legal fees in the UK.
Additionally, uploading a child's photo to an AI platform raises serious privacy concerns, as the photo contains more information than just the child's likeness. Backgrounds, school uniforms, and even GPS metadata can reveal sensitive details, and uploading the photo could result in its use for AI training data. While some families may find alternative photography options challenging, a photographer and mother of three advises against relying on these "mom hacks."
Instead, she suggests using the original, plain white background photos as a safer and more cost-effective option. These photographs not only avoid potential legal fees and privacy risks but also maintain the simplicity and clarity of the original images.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
