We need to talk about something way too many people still get wrong: using images without permission.
Last year, I started feeling super uncomfortable about some imagery and videos of me that were posted online and on social media—private, intimate footage paired with personal information that wasn’t even accurate.
Now listen, I’m not a modest human.
Buuuuuuttttttt, I still get to decide which images of me exist out in the digital wild—or don’t.
So, I asked the person to remove them. Instead of honoring my request, they blocked me.
At the time, I was just out here living life...
Navigating a major scam situation, running a business, and keeping myself regulated. I didn’t have the bandwidth to go verify if the content came down.
I assumed it had… because honestly, who in their right mind would keep using someone’s face in their marketing after being told not to?
(HINT: My first mistake)
Fast forward to a month ago, and what do I find?
Not only was the content never removed, but my image was being used to promote a TV show on a much bigger platform—without my knowledge, without consent, and without a dime of compensation.
Imagine casually scrolling the internet and—bam—your face is on someone else’s website. No heads up. No credit. No consent.
I’d love to say I was flattered to see myself in someone else’s promo... but consent is kinda my love language.
So yes, it went from cringey to legally actionable real quick.
Let’s be clear: even if someone owns the copyright to a photo, that does not give them the right to use someone’s likeness for profit. That’s where Right of Publicity laws come in—and they are very real. And very serious.
- Posting fun pics of your friends on Instagram? Fine.
- Slapping their face on a sales page or TV promo without consent? Not fine.
And now, with the rise of AI image recognition, scraping, and deepfake tools, it’s not just about where a photo lives—it’s about how easily it can be replicated, manipulated, or monetized by third parties without your knowledge.
Once your image is online—especially in a commercial context—it becomes digital currency.
And if you didn’t authorize that exchange? You’re the one paying the price.
POOR JOKE DISCLAIMER: I’d love to say my ass is out here generating passive income, but unfortunately, it’s just being used without permission.
As a wilderness-loving, analog-centric, introvert who values privacy, realizing my image was not only being misused—but potentially fed into algorithmic systems without my consent—made me feel physically sick.
- The ripple effect? Real.
- The long-term harm? Also real.
So yeah, I had to hire a lawyer, issue a cease and desist, and I’m still in the middle of the good fight just to get my own likeness removed from someone else’s marketing. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Which is why I figured this week, we might as well learn from my misadventure—and break this down so you and your business don’t end up on the wrong side of the law... or worse, with your own face popping up in someone else’s funnel, promo reel, or AI-generated avatar from hell.
Are You Using Images Legally?
Let’s bust some common myths:
❌ “I took the photo, so I can use it however I want.”
Nope. If there’s a person in that photo and you’re using it to promote your business, you need their permission via a written media release.
❌ “They posted it on social media, so it’s fair game.”
Also nope. Just because something’s public doesn’t mean it’s free for commercial use.
❌ “Stock photos are always safe.”
Only if you’ve confirmed they come with proper model releases. Not all stock is created equal.
Here’s What I Do (and You Should Too)
I don’t mess around when it comes to image rights. If you’re a client of mine, you’re covered—period. I only use properly licensed stock photo sites with clear usage rights and signed model releases.
Long gone are the days of right-clicking some cute pic off Google and slapping it on your homepage. That’s a fast track to legal trouble (and honestly, bad vibes).
Let’s get you some high-quality, legally sourced images that actually reflect your brand and keep you protected. Sound good?
And if you’re worried about your own image being misused (as you should be), here’s how to protect yourself:
- Run reverse image searches to see where your face might be floating around
- Watermark or embed metadata in your professional photos
- Use contracts that clearly state how images can be used or NOT used
- Be proactive about takedown requests—the longer it's online, the more AI can scrape it
- Say something when boundaries are crossed. Silence just feeds perceived consent (even if false).
The Bottom Line: Permission Isn’t Optional, My Friend—It’s Everything.
Between copyright law, AI cloning, and good ol’ social media scraping, you’ve got to be intentional AF about how images are used in your business.
And if someone’s using your face without consent?
You’ve got legal tools to shut. it. down.
So let’s all do better:
- Ask
- Verify
- Protect your brand
- ...and quit pretending consent is optional
Image use is like sex—it doesn’t matter if it’s casual or commercial, consent is still required.
I mean, I wanted to snap a quick pic today of a restaurant worker delivering my takeout to my truck (because yes, it was adorable and yes, I live for that aesthetic). But best believe I asked first—both to take the pic and post it. Because that’s what respect looks like.
Hit me up if someone’s ever used your image without permission…
Please tell me I’m not the only one out there! Or if you’re curious about AI, copyright, or how to ethically show off your clients without stepping in it.
I’m not a lawyer—but trust, I’ve learned a lot lately on this topic!
Stay bold, stay legal, stay you,
