A Harlem woman who had her portrait taken in 2007 at the local hair salon is now suing the photographer for listing it on a stock photography website. The lawsuit filed by Rosella Williams states that her photograph was listed on Eyecandy images by photographer Jose Formento without consent.

Williams, described as a “beautiful African-American woman” in the court papers, was informed by a stylist that she wouldn’t have to pay for her haircut if she allowed the photographer to take her picture.

Williams was reassured that the photograph would only be used at the Nu Loes Natural Parlor on Malcolm X Boulevard to decorate its walls. However, the image was later found to be used in ads for Rite Aide - a matter which Williams later settled in 2013.

Unfortunately, her portrait would continue to be used and become synonymous with articles falsely portraying Williams as bitter, angry, or having mental illnesses. The image has notably been used in Ebony’s article “A Right to Be Angry”, Jet magazine’s “How Disease Affects Your Mental Health”, and Huffington Post’s “I Fled My Country for Canada After Being Diagnosed with PTSD. ”

Formento’s actions are said to have caused Williams emotional and professional distress for licensing the photograph out to stock photography websites for people who need pictures of “a beautiful African American woman. ”

The stock photography mishap is similar to Sydney-based photographer Daniel Boud’s photograph at the firing range, which was Photoshopped to include children and depict Boyd as an irresponsible gun owner. While not a stock photo, even DRTV’s Kai has had his likeness used in a story about a lewd photographer in Perth Australia!

2016-11-2 03:00