Dance music phenomenon Baauer is facing legal action from a photographer over allegations he improperly used images taken by the snapper.

Dustin Kessler alleges the Harlem Shake hitmaker, real name Harry Bauer Rodrigues, hired him for a photoshoot last year (12) and subsequently asked for permission to use two of the pictures.

Kessler claims he agreed to the usage - one on the star's Facebook.com page, and one for a magazine article - but alleges they were later used in other places, such as Baauer's website and to advertise California's Coachella festival.

The photographer claims he was never credited or paid for the use, and has filed legal papers against the star. He is also suing media outlets which allegedly ran the images without permission, according to Tmz.com.

Kessler is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages.