Why I Am No Longer Posting Photos That Show My Clients’ Children’s Faces
Protecting children’s photos online is something I have thought about for years — quietly, in the background, the way most photographers do. A recent federal court ruling made it something I could no longer leave in the background.
On August 25, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed criminal charges in a case involving AI generated child sexual abuse material. The ruling cited existing Supreme Court precedent that protects this kind of material under the First Amendment when it does not depict a real child. The judge himself noted how difficult it has become to tell AI generated images apart from images of real children, and raised concern about where that leaves the law as the technology keeps advancing.
I read that ruling and could not, in good conscience, keep publicly posting photos of children knowing what current law allows to be done with images like them. So I am changing how I handle client images going forward — and I wanted to explain the change here rather than just make it quietly.
What Changed — and Why I Am Now Protecting Children’s Photos Online
Starting this month, I am removing images from my public galleries and social pages that show children’s faces clearly. Going forward, I will no longer publicly post identifiable images of clients’ children, even with parental approval.
This is not a reaction to anything that happened with a client of mine. It is a decision about the environment images exist in once they are online — an environment that changed in a real, documented way with this ruling. I would rather adjust my own practices ahead of a problem than wait to see how it plays out.
The ruling in brief: A federal appeals court dismissed charges involving AI generated child sexual abuse material, citing existing First Amendment protections that apply when no real child is depicted. The judge himself noted the legal difficulty created by AI technology that makes synthetic and real images increasingly indistinguishable. That legal gap is the reason for this change.
What This Means for Families I Photograph
I know a change like this raises questions, so here is what stays the same and what does not.
- Family, milestone, and children’s sessions are still fully available
- Your full private gallery is delivered exactly as before
- Every image, including clear photos of your children, is included in your private delivery
- The quality, style, and experience of the session itself is unchanged
- Children’s faces will no longer appear in my public website galleries
- Identifiable images of children will not be posted to Instagram, Facebook, or any public platform
- Past public images showing children’s faces can be removed on request
- Portfolio work featuring children will be framed or edited to protect identity
If you already have images of your children on my public pages from a past session, you are welcome to reach out and I will remove them.
You will still receive every image from your session in your private gallery. This policy only affects what I share publicly — not what you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I still get photos that show my child’s face?
Yes. Every image from your session, including clear photos of your children, is included in your private gallery exactly as before. This policy only affects what I share publicly — not what you receive.
Can I still request photos of my kids during a family session?
Yes. Family and milestone sessions are still fully available, and I will photograph your children the same way I always have. The only change is that I will not use those images in my public portfolio, website, or social media.
Why did this change happen now?
A federal appeals court ruling issued in late August 2026 dismissed charges in a case involving AI generated child sexual abuse material, citing existing legal precedent. The ruling highlighted how difficult it has become to distinguish AI generated images from real ones. I decided this was reason enough to stop publicly posting identifiable images of children, regardless of parental approval.
Does this apply to photos I post myself?
No. This policy covers what I share publicly as the photographer. What you choose to do with your own private gallery and your own images is entirely your decision.
Can I still see examples of your family photography work?
Yes. I will continue sharing family and milestone session work publicly, framed or edited in a way that does not show children’s faces clearly — so you can still see the style, light, and feel of a session before booking.
I do not think there is a perfect answer here — only a more careful one. I believe in protecting my own children, and I believe in protecting yours. Right now, that means being more cautious publicly than I once was.
If you have questions about how this affects a session you have already booked, or one you are considering, please reach out directly. I am happy to talk through it.