As a newbie, I've only done a few jobs, but have learned tons from each. My last one was a full blown decorating job, which included painting 90% of the rooms, purchasing furniture, and bringing in 20 cases of accessories. Before I walked in to stage, I had 14 hours of shopping, 19 hours of design and appointments, and 11 hours of packing invested into the job. I hired two area stagers to help me execute, and paid each $50/hour for their 6 hours of work. Now I find one of my helpers is taking credit for the entire job, not only on her website, but is using my project, with all my before and after photography (she didn't even take her camera to the job) as a marketing mailing to her client list. Beyond that, she has turned it into a Realtor presentation with her name on the cover slide.
Part of me says "fine". I provided her the photos in the spirit of sharing, and she did, after all, work on the project, so she's allowed. She at least called me to let me know what she was doing, and asked if I'd partner with her on future business she gets from her marketing effort.
Part of me says "hmmmm", she's playing with fire if she markets this as her work, because she alone will not be able to produce the same style/result for a different client (which she's flat-out said to me). And "hmmmmm" while it's fine to credit oneself with being a participant in a major project, the creator did all the negotiating, contracting, planning, design, and purchasing. Six hours of helping doesn't give her ownership.
Which part is correct?
Jaynee, My suggestion is so much easier said than done. Can you talk to the person who is using your photos in what appears to be a less than honest way? Perhaps she doesn't understand what she is doing is wrong. You know the drill. Start with, "I think. . .I feel". . . sentences. It's not a good idea to say, "You did such and such." Like I said, easier said than done. On the few occasions I've gotten the courage to confront it has at least let me stop stewing in my own juices much more quickly.
Sounds like you had a fabulous job. Are you going to share the photos here?