Sunday, April 15, 2007

Let My Pictures Go

It’s a catchy little title, but if you’re patient with me you’ll come to know the reasoning behind it. My friend Diana was so good to take those lovely pictures of me a couple of weeks ago. She placed them on a disc for me to use as I needed. I’ve used them on my blogs and to make business cards.

Tom was away for the last few days teaching in San Diego. I wanted to surprise him by having his favorite picture of me printed. I thought while I was at it, I would also print some pictures to send to my mom. It’s so easy to get prints from your digital camera. All you have to do is take the disc to Wal-Mart or you could even do this online and they print them off. The gal behind the counter told me it would take about 15 minutes. I’m now excited. My plan was to get it framed and have it waiting for him when he got home.

When I came back the conversation went something like this:

Me: “Are my pictures ready.”
Gal: “Yes, but I’m sorry you can’t have them.”
Me: (With a puzzled look on my face) “Why, they are my pictures.”
Gal: “Well a professional photographer took them and the image belongs to her.”
Me: “But she’s my friend and gave me the disc so that I can get them developed.”
Gal: “I understand but she has to sign a release so we can give you your pictures.”
Me: (In my head I’m thinking, “Let my pictures go! It’s for a surprise. Hey they are of me.”) But instead said, “I see. Do you have a release I can bring her to sign?”
Gal: “Yes.” (She hands me a release.)
Me: “Is it all right if I see them.” (Before I pay the ransom I want to make sure they are okay.)
Gal: “Here you go.”

So I totally get it that the artist owns the image they capture. Like a painter would own the picture he paints and so forth. But this was pretty funny to me because I never had a professional photographer take pictures and so I wasn’t aware of the rules.

It got me to thinking about the Artist who created me. I am my own person but I belong to Him when I gave Him my life. He captured my heart 17 years ago. I don’t need Him to sign a release to free me. I am already free. I’ve experienced more freedom in Him than I did without Him. So Lord never let me go. Always keep me near to your heart. Thank You for all that You do in my life.

© Nadine Z. 2007

23 comments:

Amydeanne said...

Walmart has always given me an issue about printing my pictures there (and I'm the prof. photographer.) I had to hand in my business card and got them to post it at the back, than finally gave up b/c they were so daft about it. So I can totally relate to what you're saying! Superstore (their competion here) has never given me a hassle, so I've switched over or print out myself!
What a great concept. I never really thought of God in the same way as doing art.. but it's so true! Thanks!

Theresa said...

I love the way you related that incident to the way God treats us. Great post!

yours truly B said...

nicely put I would have never thought of it that way. God as my artist. makes me think.
Billie

a woman who is said...

Have they finally let your pictures go?

:>)

Great post

Anonymous said...

I love how you see things :)

Shionge said...

Oh this is something interesting and I've learned something new here today Nadine :D

Elle*Bee said...

What a terrific post.

Trina said...

Nicely brought full circle!!! So true too!!

Lala's world said...

great analogy! we are free...I love that freedom, I have kind of gotten lost lately but thank the Lord that what you did nothing to earn you can do nothing to loose! amen!!

~Crystal~ said...

Oh I love that...Yet another great post from you. :)

Art said...

I feel for you in this situation but there are a lot a legal ramifications involved in reproducing photographic images. I happen to be involved in that end of the business (and just maybe, indirectly, with a certain company you mentioned).

Email me if you want a more detailed explantion...

But,I love the way you ended the post - great!

Damselfly said...

Nice parallel! And what a funny story....

Louise said...

I love the way you bring a story from life and bring it to God's gift of love ....that is awesome! You have a gift!
Well written!!

So any pictures yet???

Jill said...

Nandine- What a nicely written post. I avoid Wal-Mart for this very reason..and my photos aren't even professional. Check out Shutterfly sometimes (if you don't need pics right away).

Emancipation of the Freed said...

Hi Babe:

I loved the way yopur wrapped it up, great post. And for all of you who asked... Yes, she did finally get the pictures and they look awesome!

Thanks Babe!
Tom

Dedee said...

I love the idea of God as my artist. I did a comparison once for church where I compared God to a glass blower. It works really well on a number of levels. I have also noticed the concept of being God's instrument. I like that one too, being an instrumentalist.

Thanks for the thought and reminder!

marykathryn said...

What a bummer about the pics..but at least you got them back. I thought you were gonna say they kept them and like called the police or something. LOL

palmtreefanatic said...

Amen sister preach it!!!

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

Yes, I knew about the prof. photo release, but I wonder how they knew they were from a professional photographer. It must have said so on the disk. Hope he likes the surprise print!

Deb said...

Great story. Love your view on things.
Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jen(n) said...

I know this isn't about your pictures, but I finally got to try your chicken francese recipe last night and it was really good!!
love you!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a beautiful way to think about it!

And that is hilarious about YOUR pictures not belonging to YOU! I'm so impatient, I probably would have just forged the signature in the parking lot and brought it right back in! ;P

- Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls

Amanda said...

I really enjoyed reading this post. It is good for us to hear another persons view of things, it challenges thought and inspires. Thanks