VSCO, the photo editing and sharing app used by millions of photographers, updated its policy today, November 10, to state plainly that it will not use members’ photos to train generative AI models. PetaPixel reported the change this afternoon, along with a letter VSCO’s CEO Eric Wittman sent to users.
It is a small policy page edit, but it touches a big question every photographer and every client should be asking right now: when you upload photos to a service, what is that company allowed to do with them? Here is a plain-language look at what changed and what it means for your event photos and headshots.
What VSCO changed
- The backstory. Back in May, photographers noticed wording in VSCO’s Terms of Use that appeared to let the company use member content, including people’s likenesses, to develop and train AI and machine learning models. VSCO said at the time that it was not doing that, but the language stayed broad.
- The new rule. VSCO’s updated Creator Content Standards now say that public and private content from both paying members and free users will not be used to develop, train or improve AI models for generative use.
- Same protection, paid or free. The CEO’s letter stresses that this does not depend on having a paid membership.
- Generative vs. everyday AI. VSCO says it still uses non-generative machine learning for things like search, editing tools and helping photographers find work. The line it is drawing is between tools that help you work with your photos and systems trained on your photos to create new images.
- Outside providers too. VSCO says the outside AI companies that power some of its features have agreed not to train generative models on content sent through its service.
Why this matters for photographers
A photograph is more than a file. It is the time spent learning the craft, getting to the location and making a hundred small decisions about light and timing. When terms of service are vague, those images can quietly become raw material for someone else’s product. VSCO’s change is a good example of a company listening to photographers and putting its promise in writing, and it is a reminder to read the fine print on every platform we use.
- Read the license section, not just the marketing. Look for words like “train,” “develop” and “machine learning” in the terms for any app or gallery service you upload to.
- Know the difference between generative and assistive AI. Face recognition for sorting a gallery or an AI mask in an editor is not the same as feeding your work into an image generator.
- Watch for policy updates. Terms change. A service that is fine today may update its wording next year, so it pays to check again when you get that “we’ve updated our terms” email.
What this means for event and headshot clients in San Antonio
Your headshot is your face and your professional identity. Your event photos often show your team, your guests and your brand. Those are exactly the kinds of images people worry about being used to train AI systems without permission. You do not need to become a lawyer to protect them, but a few simple questions go a long way:
- Where will my photos be delivered? Ask which gallery or delivery platform your photographer uses, and whether you can download your files and keep your own copies.
- Who can see the gallery? Ask whether event galleries are public, password-protected or private, especially when guests and employees appear in the photos.
- How will the photographer use the images? A clear agreement should spell out portfolio and marketing use, and you can ask for limits if your event or team needs them.
- Where will you post them? Once you share your photos on social media or other apps, those platforms’ own terms apply. It is worth a quick look at their AI policies too.
At Grey Bug Photography, we deliver event galleries through SmugMug and team headshots through GotPhoto, and we are happy to talk through privacy settings and usage before your event or headshot day so there are no surprises.
Bottom line
VSCO’s update is good news for photographers who use the app, and a useful nudge for everyone else. Generative AI is not going away, but it should be built with permission, not by default. Whether you are a photographer or a client, the best protection is simple: know where your photos live, read the terms that cover them, and work with people who will give you a straight answer.
Source: PetaPixel, “VSCO Updates Its Policy to Explicitly State It Won’t Train AI on Your Photos,” November 10, 2026, including excerpts of VSCO CEO Eric Wittman’s letter to users and VSCO’s updated Creator Content Standards.
Planning an event or a team headshot day in San Antonio or elsewhere in Texas? Reach out to Grey Bug Photography, or see how we work with planners on our For Planners page.
