Beyonce and other stars struggle to control their image

Beyonce is unhappy some "unflattering" pictures taken during her performance at the Super Bowl have appeared online

Beyonce's publicist has asked a website to remove "unflattering" pictures of the star performing at the Super Bowl.

"There are some unflattering photos on your current feed that we are respectfully asking you to change," said an email to Buzzfeed.com.

"I am certain you will be able to find some better photos," it continued.

Buzzfeed has refused the request. Photo agency Getty Images, which owns the copyright, removed the originals from its library after a similar request.

It means those particular shots are no longer being sold, although it doesn't cover the images that have already been bought from Getty around the world.

It's not unusual for celebrities or their management companies to contact outlets with these types of requests.

In some cases photographers invited to private events are asked to sign documents which prevent them using a picture without approval.

It's also common practice for companies to prevent the media or members of the public entering events with any type of recording equipment.

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for celebrities to control where their images end up.

Stars like Beyonce have less control when the picture is taken by a member of the public or in a public space.

Under current rules, any picture taken on a camera or similar device is owned by the person who took the photo.

Last month, a picture of Justin Bieber smoking a roll-up cigarette was uploaded onto entertainment website TMZ.com.

The photo, thought to be taken on a smart phone, was snapped while the 18-year-old was with friends inside a hotel room in California.

There were claims this led to his management requesting that no pictures be taken of the teenager in a private setting without prior permission.

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