1. Forum
  2. General Discussion | Introductions | Off Topic Forum
  3. Photography General Discussion
  4. Laws that dictate how long we need to keep client photos?

Laws that dictate how long we need to keep client photos?


1 year 10 months ago #739476 by Miss Polly
I'll normally keep client images on hard drives, which there is no normal.  However I just had a client reach out to me from a shoot I did nearly 10 years ago, ask for RAW files.  Which normally wouldn't be a problem, however I went to the WD drive to retrieve, and the disk is giving me an error!  I can't get the files.  Now I would have charged them for the images, however I can't access.  The client is furious stating that it's the law that I keep backups of photos.  :blink:   I've never heard that, but I don't know everything so I'm posting this here.  I think IF there is, there must be some statue of limitation based on time?  
Photo Comments
,
1 year 10 months ago #739483 by db3348
Well,

Miss Polly wrote

" stating that it's the law that I keep backups of photos. "

Would be interested to know from where your client is quoting that so-called " law " ? :  perhaps  social media opinion or recommendations ,  rather than set-in-stone , enforceable government legislation passed in congress .
Yes it is often suggested, recommended , in forums like this,  to  keep a couple of back-up copies of files on a reliable medium for at least several years ,  but  I  know of no law that has been passed in congress or parliament , obligating a person to do so ,  like tax and accounting records .
Don't believe ,  if it does exists,  that images woiuld be any different to accounting documents ,  which  I believe is 6 or 7 years .
On the technical side,  can you quote the exact error message ?   While I'm no expert on solving computer issues ,  it  might give a clue as to the exact root of the fault .

db3348
Photo Comments
,
1 year 10 months ago #739488 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Miss P

Like Dave- I am also not aware of any "legal" requirement to keep images for xx number of years. I would accept the financial / taxation regulations of 7-years should satisfy any court of law should an issue get that far

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
,
1 year 10 months ago #739492 by icepics
I don't think there are any laws specifically about photography; there are laws related to small businesses. I don't know if there are any laws related to retaining client info./files/products, etc.

I guess this will be another thing to include in your contracts, on your website, etc. Then you can refer clients back to their copy of the contract or to your site. 

Photographers used to keep their film negatives indefinitely and I think many still do with their digital photos. Same thing from me as from others - I keep copies of anything important in 2-3 different places to have backups. (Not everything, just final copies, or maybe original Raw files, or... I don't know, just depends on what it is.)

Try the US small business admin site (can't think of it, it's a .gov site, sba.gov maybe??). Or try PPA or ASMP for resources.
Sharon
Photo Comments
,
1 year 10 months ago #739542 by Overread
What?  LOL someone smoke something before calling you?  
Photo Comments
,
1 year 10 months ago #739584 by CharleyL
I owned a photo retouching business in 1998-2002, and back then the best way to archive photos was CDs in Tiff and Jpeg with high res Tiff being my choice for most. RAW wasn't even available back then. These CDs have always been stored in  AC/heated/controlled humidity areas (now in a cabinet in the corner of my studio). I still have all of those CDs (several thousand) and I have gone back into them several times for past customers and never had a problem retrieving anything from them, but I wouldn't expect them to last much longer.  My CDs are 20+ years old and I can still retrieve from them. I think 7-10 years is a reasonable life for digital photo files and I have never seen any laws requiring that they be kept a certain minimum time. Spinning hard drives are not and have never been considered as viable archive storage, unless in a RAID configuration and in frequent use. 

There are ways to recover files from hard drives, but the service is usually expensive, and there is no guarantee what can be recovered. 

Charley
,
1 year 10 months ago #739600 by Prago
+1 send your drive to Hard Drive recovery place, have the client absorb some of the cost.  
SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
Photo Comments
,

  1. Forum
  2. General Discussion | Introductions | Off Topic Forum
  3. Photography General Discussion
  4. Laws that dictate how long we need to keep client photos?

817.3K

241K

  • Facebook

    817,251 / Likes

  • Twitter

    241,000 / Followers

  • Google+

    1,620,816 / Followers

Show Me...

Visit 4wdtlak Forum
Saal

Latest Reviews

Canon EOS R100 Review

The Canon EOS R100 is an entry-level mirrorless camera introduced in 2023. But just because it’s an entry-level camera doesn’t mean it’s a bare-bones camera. Find out why in this review!

Apr 22, 2024
Nikon Zfc Review

Nikon’s retro-looking Nikon Zfc is anything but retro. Under its classic body is a host of features and amenities that make it a worthwhile compact mirrorless camera for 2024.

Apr 15, 2024
Canon EOS R50 Review

The Canon EOS R50 is one of the newest R-system cameras from Canon. Is it worth your money? Find out all the details you need to know in this comprehensive review.

Apr 10, 2024
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Review

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is Sony’s flagship mirrorless zoom lens. As such, it’s loaded with features and has a top-shelf build quality that makes it a top pick!

Mar 27, 2024
More Articles
Ikan

Forum Top Posters

Sponsored Imageimages/stories/ad_agency/2/1559071052.jpgSponsored Imageimages/stories/vendors/nikon.png
Sponsored ImageSponsored Image

Latest Articles

Must-Have Insta360 Accessories

The Insta360 has one of the best lineups of action cams and 360-degree cameras. With these Insta360 accessories, you can elevate your photography and videography game!

Apr 24, 2024
5 Keys for More Impactful Photos of Landscapes

Creating impactful photos of landscapes depends on many factors, not the least of which is your talent behind the lens. This guide explores other elements required for the best product.

Apr 23, 2024
Canon EOS R100 Review

The Canon EOS R100 is an entry-level mirrorless camera introduced in 2023. But just because it’s an entry-level camera doesn’t mean it’s a bare-bones camera. Find out why in this review!

Apr 22, 2024
Expert Tips to Upgrade Your Camera Gear With Used Equipment

Are you ready to upgrade your camera? Before buying new, you might consider the value of purchasing used gear to save money.

Apr 18, 2024
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a micro four thirds camera released in 2020. It’s an entry-level system along with the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. Use this guide to determine which one is best for you!

Apr 17, 2024
What is Blue Hour Photography?

Blue hour photography might not be as well known as golden hour photography, but it is every bit as good a time to create epic images of landscapes. Learn how in this quick tutorial!

Apr 17, 2024
Nikon Zfc Review

Nikon’s retro-looking Nikon Zfc is anything but retro. Under its classic body is a host of features and amenities that make it a worthwhile compact mirrorless camera for 2024.

Apr 15, 2024
5 Dog Photography Tips for Stunning Results

Moving from taking snapshots of your dog to creating beautiful images doesn’t have to be that difficult! Use the tips outlined in this dog photography guide, and you’ll get better results in no time.

Apr 15, 2024
More Articles