Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in New York

If you obtained a signed release (which you should get into the habit of doing for non-public figures), you don't have to remove the photo at all but can certainly propose a payment be made for your troubles. If you failed to obtain a release, it's probably not worth the trouble to further engage this person because he/she is probably going to cause you additional grief.

In the future, have all subjects sign a release for you to use their photos and images in any way.

Good luck!