In the days since Bill Cunningham’s death, The New York Times hasn’t published a single snapshot taken by the famously prolific photographer—but not out of an unwillingness to commemorate his work. According to a report in Page Six, the Times has illustrated his many tributes with images taken by other photographers and scans of old Sunday Styles layouts because they’re “legally forbidden from running any more photos by him.”
A source says Cunningham “didn’t leave a will and didn’t sign his photos,” which has created a bit of a mess for the paper where he worked for nearly 40 years, as well as his survivors, who “include several nieces and nephews.”
As the potential fight over rights to his photos ensues—and as we await the inevitable retrospective at the Met—allow me to revisit the words of Cunningham himself: “It’s as true today as it ever was. He who seeks beauty will find it.”
Image via Screengrab.
DISCUSSION
Oh for fuck’s sake. Creative people, ALWAYS HAVE A WILL. This shit is so easily preventable. Without one, your shitbird distant family gets a say over what to do with your life’s work. Prince is rolling in his grave now that his unreleased tracks are being used for runway shows and Cunningham won’t be far behind when his iconic shots are used to sell cheap make up or something.
HAVE. A. FUCKING. WILL.