"...asking for your permission [to use a photo]"

[Sean Setters]

I woke up this morning to an interesting message sent to me on Flickr. Here it is:

"Hello, I'm an italian universitary student.
We're organizing an event of a series of sports tournaments and my task on this is to do the graphics work.

I was really interested in your foto:
[link appears at end of post]

And I'd like to use it so I'm asking for your permission.

Last but not least. If It could be possible, I'd like to ask you the file in full size 'cause I need to print in a big format.

Waiting for your response...

[Name withheld]

Thank you so much!"

I've had similar requests in the past, and I when I feel there's no significant financial opportunity, I usually allow it. However, here's what my mind went through immediately after seeing the request.

First of all, I have several decent sports-themed shots in my photostream. However, I don't have a model release for commercial use for any of them. So in my mind, I'm thinking through the pictures the person could possibly want (keep in mind, I haven't actually clicked on the link to the image yet).

If they're wanting one of the football pictures, I wouldn't feel right until I had an explicit release from Alex:

Alex Maddux: Gridiron Ready 2 by budrowilson, on Flickr

If they're wanting one of the MMA shots, then I'd need a release from Jeremy:

Jeremy: MMA Fighter in the Alley 1 by budrowilson, on Flickr

If they're wanting one of the lacrosse pictures, I'd need a release from Katherine:

Katherine: Lacrosse is Serious Business by budrowilson, on Flickr

If they're wanting a basketball picture, I'd most likely have to get a release from Meagan:

Meagan and the Cage by budrowilson, on Flickr


Then I realized that I was just getting ahead of myself. I should first just see what picture they want to use, then go forward from there. So, I finally clicked on the link.

Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/budrowilson/5868852779/

After a good 30 seconds of chuckling, I replied:

"Permission granted. Knock yourself out. Send me a copy of the literature just for kicks.

-Sean"