Walmart Photo Center - Knoxville, TN One Hour Photo stealing pictures; using them in their stores Knoxvillw, Tennessee

I used to routinely get pictures developed at the Walmart photo center, that is, until I discovered that they were using my pictures in their stores without my permissio

In the photo center, at least here in Knoxville, there is a wall of pictures that I had always assumed had either been taken by employees or donated by patrons. While waiting on my husband to come out of the restroom one afternoon, I noticed several pictures that I immediately recognized as my own. They were close up editorial style pictures I had taken of my cat! I know it wasn't someone else's work or cat because my cat has a distinct marking on his iris... I know my cat!!

I began to look a little more closely at the rest of the pictures on the wall and noticed that a total of three pictures on the picture wall were pictures that I had taken. Two of my cat and one of the field in my aunt's back yard.

When I asked the lady working behind the counter about the origin of the photos used on the wall, she explained that they were all pictures taken by photo staff and their family members. I told her that three of the pictures were mine. She promptly jumped on the defense and said that Walmart may publish any photos they wish on their wall and that as soon as we, as consumers, hand in our pictures to be developed to them the images become property of Walmart, therefore, they can use them if they want to.

When I pressed the matter further and explained to her that this was untrue, she turned to a total denial that the pictures were mine to begin with. When I threatened to take them down, she said she would have me arrested for shoplifting... SERIOUSLY?!?! I asked to speak with a manager. Lucky for me I have a smart phone and could pull up the pictures on my Facebook account to show the manager. All she did was take the three photos down and hand them to me. What a resolution!

I imagine that several people have had their photos stolen and used by Walmart or their employees. I no longer get my pictures developed there in the one hour format. I usually use the digital machines where the pics are in my hands at all times.

Sad thing is, had the employees told me that they liked my photos and would like to put them on their photo wall in the first place, I would have gladly obliged and most likely been a little flattered. Instead, they insulted my intelligence and stole from me. Go Walmart!!