The Ethical Lens: Why Photographers must Rethink Sharing Family Photos Online in the Age of AI
In an era where stunning family portraits are part of a photographer’s brand and client storytelling, sharing images online has become essential to marketing and community building. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), these innocent heartfelt images can be misused in deeply harmful ways- specifically, to generate AI- assisted child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The Emerging Threat: AI and Image Misuse
AI- Powered tools can now fabricate hyper-realistic explicit images of children by manipulating publicly available photos. These AI-generated CSAM images are deeply troubling not only for families but for the photography industry, which may unknowingly contribute to the problem simply by showcasing their work online.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), they received over 35.9 million reports of suspected CSAM in 2023, with over 4,700 tied specifically to AI- generated material- a number that is growing rapidly (The Guardian, 2024).
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has observed that many AI-generated CSAM imagines involve manipulating existing child abuse material or adult pornography by superimposing a child’s face. (Humanium)
What This Means for Photographers
As professionals entrusted with capturing families’ most intimate and joyful moments, photographers carry both a creative responsibility and an ethical one. The decision to post client images online- especially those featuring children- must be guided by informed consent and awareness of potential misuse.
Informed Consent is Non-Negotiable
Before sharing family or child portraits publicly:
Get clear, written permission: Include clauses in your client agreement that specify where and how images may be used (e.g., website, Instagram, advertising).
Explain the risks: Clients should understand that even professional, tasteful images fall to the risk of being scraped or manipulated with AI tools if posted on public platforms.
Respect revocation: If a client changes their mind about public sharing, honor their request and remove the content promptly.
Best Practices for safer sharing for photographers and clients
Avoid identifiable context: Refrain from tagging locations (e.g., schools, homes) or using children’s names.
Limit online sharing: Refrain from posting identifiable photos of children on public platforms
Adjust your privacy settings: Ensure your social media accounts are set to private, restricting access to trusted individuals
Consider anonymized sharing: Crop or blur faces, or only share images taken from behind when sharing children’s images.
Offer opt-out options: Provide clients with an easy way to decline online use during booking or delivery.
The Role of Clients and social media
Clients also have a responsibility to voice their boundaries and educate themselves on how their images might be used. Open communication between photographers and families can create a more respectful and secure environment.
In today’s digital age, sharing family photos online often feels like a natural way to celebrate milestones and preserve cherished memories. What begins as a harmless gesture—capturing a child’s first steps or a birthday celebration—has, with the rise of social media and content monetization, evolved into a public archive of a child’s life. For many families, relatable daily vlogs have become both a creative outlet and a source of income. But with this visibility comes an uncomfortable truth: children are increasingly being exposed to online predators who exploit even the most innocent content, sometimes using it to generate AI-manipulated CSAM or for private, malicious consumption.
It’s essential to recognize that a child’s vulnerability online is often shaped by the choices of the adults who care for them. Parents and guardians, you are your child’s first—and sometimes only—line of defense. Children cannot grasp the dangers that lurk in the digital world, but you can. Every detail you share—whether it’s a clear photo of their face, their full name, their school, or even a birthday cake—can provide online predators with the information they need to exploit that child’s identity in harmful ways.
I urge you to be intentional and protective when sharing anything about your children online. Their safety begins with your discretion.
if you suspect image misuse
Should you become aware of a clients photo being misused online:
Report it to NCMEC’s CyberTipline: https://report.cybertip.org
Report it to social platforms and request immediate takedown.
Inform the family so they can take protective action.
Final thoughts
The artistry of photography should never come at the cost of a child’s safety. By fostering transparency, consent, and vigilance, photographers can lead the industry with integrity- protecting both their reputation and the wellbeing of the families they serve.
Let’s use our lenses not only to tell stories, but protect them.
Alessandra is a Connecticut based Photographer with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a M.S. in Criminal investigations.