A civil harassment restraining order petition filed by US photographer Jamie Nelson against Amyl And The Sniffers frontwoman Amy Taylor has been declined by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.
This update is the latest in an ongoing legal battle against Nelson and Taylor, which was most recently expanded to include the full band entity, and others close to the group.
The dispute in question can be traced back 2024, when Nelson had initially been recruited by Amyl And The Sniffers’ manager with the intent of securing her services for a shoot regarding the band's then-upcoming Cartoon Darkness album.
Though this photoshoot reportedly fell through due to an alleged disagreement of terms, it’s claimed that Nelson made contact with Taylor to organise another photoshoot, with the images to exclusively appear in the July 2025 edition of Vogue Portugal as part of a series titled Champagne Problems.
It’s also alleged that Nelson made further contact with Taylor to seek permission to sell the images as art prints, only to receive word from the band’s manager that Nelson did not have license or permission to do so.
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The lawsuit claims that the images were offered and promoted on Nelson’s website and social platforms regardless, with the photographer allegedly refusing to comply with requests to remove all images from her website and social media accounts.
Nelson alleges that in December 2025, John Angus Stewart of PHC Films posted one of her copyrighted images alongside accompanying commentary she alleges “discouraged people from purchasing my prints.”
Days later, Nelson filed a restraining order against Taylor after “responses escalated in a way that [she] experienced as harassment.”
On December 22nd, Taylor herself filed a lawsuit against Nelson "asserting right-of-publicity and related claims", with Nelson filing counterclaims in February for "copyright infringement", adding Stewart and the band entity to the lawsuit.
In a statement provided to The Music, Nelson has provided an update to the situation, noting that on Friday, March 6th, the Los Angeles Superior Court declined to issue a civil harassment restraining order against Taylor.
“I am grateful that the court reviewed the evidence and provided the opportunity for the matter to be addressed on the record,” Nelson wrote in her statement. “I am proud to have stood up for myself and for artists who may face similar situations, because independent artists should not feel powerless when confronted with conduct they believe is bullying or intimidating.”
Nelson notes that further updates in the legal saga are to be expected later this month, with a hearing scheduled for March 19th relating to the ongoing copyright dispute, and Nelson’s anti-SLAPP motion.
“The events that led me to file these motions arose after a photographic series that I produced, photographed, and independently funded became the subject of disagreement regarding the creation and sale of fine-art prints,” Nelson continued. “I am the copyright holder of the images, and there was no written agreement restricting my ability to sell fine-art prints of my work.
“Disputes like this raise broader questions about copyright ownership and creative control for photographers working with public figures in the entertainment industry.”
The next hearing in relation to these matters will take place on March 19th.
