Childrens Party Photos and Using them on website

[teenypops]

I want to get more photos on my website - essentially more of the kids having fun and less of just the equipment.

I have been a bit nervous of taking my own pictures and then just posting them onto my website or Facebook page.

Does anyone know the law around this - of course the 100% squeaky clean thing to do would be to get acceptance from every parent of every child attending my parties , but this is never going to happen.

Would appreciate any advice on this.

[STEVE HANLEY]

[ of course the 100% squeaky clean thing to do would be to get acceptance from every parent of every child attending my parties , but this is never going to happen.]



Why not? we do

[teenypops]

Why not? we do

How do you manage that?

[SoundONE]

There is no law against posting pictures of children on the net and there is no law to prevent you taking pictures of children in public. The problem is these so called do gooders and a lot of misconceptions. At my kids school they don't allow photos or videos of the kids plays etc, yet they then try and sell a dvd of it to you that some outsider has filmed.

Taking pictures of kids is a totally different thing to child pornography in the eyes of the law, but still some people wont see it like that, I remeber a couple of years ago a guy taking pics on the beach a guy acused him of taking pics of his kid, I don't know if he did or not but, i suspect he wasn't actually but he may have looked like he was in a shot, anyway he decked him right out. Now in the eyes of the law he had done nothing wrong and was assalted yet no one on the beach stepped in to help in fact some cheered.

So I would be carefull of taking pics of kids and posing pics of kids, if you ask the permission of the parents most are going to say it's fine anyway, that's what we do.

[Paul The Party Dj]

Photos of children are an issue no mater what the law says. I've run children's indoor play areas for the last 12 years and we have faced parents who have seen other adults taking pictures who have been very upset - you don't want to create a situation that has to be dealt with however small.

I'd suggest getting photos from the back of the room so that all the kids are in silhouette and not identifiable.
If you have a minute to spare you can see the kind of shot I mean on my front page - it's the last picture on the main frame with the caption "So ... How Would You Like Yours?" http://www.thepartydj.co.uk/

You could also use pictures of kids from your own extended family and friends with the parents consent - and get it writing. It would probably be wise to add a statement that says something like "all pictures on this page are used with the full written consent of their parents - we do not take photographs at our children's events."

Good luck. :)

[teenypops]

Thanks guys - so the way to go is to always get permission, but what I have trouble with is how do I get the permission of all 30/40 kids parents coming to a party, chances are I won't even see them all.

How do you guys go about collecting the consent.

My thoughts were with yours Paul - use pics of your own family friends.

Many Thanks

[SoundONE]

Taking pictures from the back can be seen as even worse almost like you doing it on the sly, so that nobody notices you, let's hope that guy from the beach isn't there.

Best to say to the party organiser, you would like to take a few pics of children being entertained, ask them if they would be willing to ask the parents as they drop the children off, if anyone objects to a few pics, I doubt anyone will because they will want to see what happened at the party. The party organiser will most likely be very friendly with most of them, so that will help your cause too. Then for future gigs when they book you menion you would like to take a few pics of some smilling faces, while being entertained could they ask all the other parents permission for you when giving out the invites, again most will say yes.

If anyone does say no then go with the birthday boy/girl, great pics are of kids with headphones, get the birthday boy girl up and say you can be the DJ and mix the next track in, ask the mother again is it ok to take a pic because this will make a great pic, little joey or whoever has a big grin on their face because they are now the DJ, his mum/dad will be very keen for a pic.

You will also notice at a lot of these parties the parents actually take pictures, you could also ask if they would email you some for your site, give them a card with your email address, then you can write picture taken by birthday boys mother etc.

You will certainly find a lot more people in favor than against, but without people giving you consent, it's a no.

[teenypops]

thanks so much guys - exactly as I thought, but always good to get a bit of a sense check and great to know how you go about it.

thanks again

[katman]

This whole political correctness thing with regards to taking photos of children really annoys me.

I have virtually no photographs of me as a child teenager or young adult because when I was growing up photography was expensive and cine movies were very expensive and silent.

We now live in an age where both photographs and video are effectively free once you have bought the camera as you dont have to buy film or pay for developing unless you want actual prints but personally I would rather see my holiday photos on a 42" TV than a tiny 7x5 print.

Sadly because it is generally regarded that any one photographing children at play must have sinister motives, we are now being denied the opportunity to document our own children and their friends in the school play, messing about on the beach and growing up. The ACTUAL threat of inappropriate behavior or danger is very small yet the public perception thanks to the "do gooders" is that the risks are very high.

What makes it all the more gauling is that just like anti piracy measures on music and DVD, the only people it actually hinders are decent people. Those with criminal and immoral intentions will still achieve their objectives one way or another.

Rant over. :(

[teenypops]

This whole political correctness thing with regards to taking photos of children really annoys me........

Here Here :o)

[STEVE HANLEY]

How do you manage that?

We always announce at the start of a kids party that we would like to take some photos of the kids at the party enjoying themselves for our Facebook page and if anyone has any objections then we won't. Simples.

Don't think we've had an objection yet

[Dynamic Entertainment]

This whole political correctness thing with regards to taking photos of children really annoys me.

I have virtually no photographs of me as a child teenager or young adult because when I was growing up photography was expensive and cine movies were very expensive and silent.

We now live in an age where both photographs and video are effectively free once you have bought the camera as you dont have to buy film or pay for developing unless you want actual prints but personally I would rather see my holiday photos on a 42" TV than a tiny 7x5 print.

Sadly because it is generally regarded that any one photographing children at play must have sinister motives, we are now being denied the opportunity to document our own children and their friends in the school play, messing about on the beach and growing up. The ACTUAL threat of inappropriate behavior or danger is very small yet the public perception thanks to the "do gooders" is that the risks are very high.

What makes it all the more gauling is that just like anti piracy measures on music and DVD, the only people it actually hinders are decent people. Those with criminal and immoral intentions will still achieve their objectives one way or another.

Rant over. :(

It is not politically incorrect at all. Iften there are things in place to protect children.

When i worked at County, i can think of 2 occasions where we were asked not to use photographs of certain children in the press because those children were in foster care and essentially hidden from abusive parents that were trying to track them down.

Now what if said children were at a party with their foster family, and you took a photo and used it on your website. Its then very easy to narrow the search to a specific area and making it easier for children to be found.

Granted, there are those cases where parents are protective, end off...but usually if someone doesnt want a photo taken of a child, there is a ver very good reason for it.

[DazzyD]

This whole political correctness thing with regards to taking photos of children really annoys me.

I have virtually no photographs of me as a child teenager or young adult because when I was growing up photography was expensive and cine movies were very expensive and silent.

We now live in an age where both photographs and video are effectively free once you have bought the camera as you dont have to buy film or pay for developing unless you want actual prints but personally I would rather see my holiday photos on a 42" TV than a tiny 7x5 print.

Sadly because it is generally regarded that any one photographing children at play must have sinister motives, we are now being denied the opportunity to document our own children and their friends in the school play, messing about on the beach and growing up. The ACTUAL threat of inappropriate behavior or danger is very small yet the public perception thanks to the "do gooders" is that the risks are very high.

What makes it all the more gauling is that just like anti piracy measures on music and DVD, the only people it actually hinders are decent people. Those with criminal and immoral intentions will still achieve their objectives one way or another.

Rant over. :(

We've had this subject raised many times over and it usually gets a bit heated and lots of mis-information gets brought in to play so I'm just going to say I agree 100% with the sentiment of the comments Katman has made here.

No disrespect to Teenypops, who's OP raises some valid issues for discussion, but I fear we'll get the same old replies and the thread will end up going round in circles. If you want the facts of what you can and can't do, then best consult a solicitor or get advice from one of several photographer associations - they're best placed to advise on this compared to a forum of DJs. That way, you only get facts and it keeps personal opinion, feelings and misinformation out of the equation.

[Corabar Entertainment]

From a legal point of view - not an issue (as has been mentioned), however, I understand your reluctance.

As a workable solution, why not get the permission of the party organiser to take some photographs, then host the photos you've taken on-line privately; give the link to the party organiser to circulate to all the parents to see if anyone has any objection to photos being used in your publicity? If you don't receive any complaints, all's good. If you do, you can identify the photos with the particular child in question and don't use the photos that they are in.

[Gary (GDK)]

Every two years I hold a free party for family and friends kids. I provide a bit food (sandwich, crisps, fruit and a drink)

My disclaimer is on my netbook which is in the van at the moment, but I will post it up for all to see in the next few days. :)

[Gary (GDK)]

As promised

Thanks for taking interest in GDK Entertainments publicity party. This party is invite only, and you can only receive if you agree to the conditions below.

The party itself is at Torrens Public House, North Hylton Rd, Sunderland on Sunday 28th October 2012, starting at 11:30 and finishing at 13:30. GDK Entertainments will also provide a packed lunch for each child. There is no charge for this party.

There is three conditions to agree to; one for photography & video footage, one for the food that we provide and finally about your child’s health.

Please return this letter completed to me no later than 1st October 2012.

Gary D Kenny
GDK Entertainments

Photography & video footage
We will take photographs and video footage of the children at this event. We may use these images in our printed publications that we produce, as well as on our website including business profiles on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.

To comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, we need your permission before we can take photos and video of your child(ren) for promotional purposes. Please answer questions 1 to 4 below, then sign and date the form where shown. This form will kept on file as long as the photos and video footage are used.

Please circle your answer (NB if you answer no for any question you will not receive an invite):
1. May we use your child’s photos & video in printed publications that we produce for promotional purposes? Yes / No
2. May we use your child’s image and video on our website? Yes / No
3. Are you happy for your child to appear in the media? Yes / No?
4. Are you prepared to stay in the Torrens Public House for the 2 hour party? Yes / No

Please note that websites can be viewed throughout the world and not just in the United Kingdom where UK law applies.

Conditions of use of photos & videos for GDK Entertainments:
1. We will not use the personal details or full names (which means first name and surname) of any child or adult in a photographic image on our website or in any our other printed publications.
2. We will not include personal e-mail or postal addresses, or telephone or fax numbers on our website, or in any other printed publications.
3. We may use group photographs with very general labels, such as “Musical Bumps” or “It’s X Factor time!”.
4. We will only use images of children who are suitably dressed (i.e. trousers or jeans), to reduce the risk of such images being used inappropriately.
 
The food that we provide
Sandwich preference(s):

Crisps preference(s):

Fruit preference(s):

Any food allergies:

Juice will also be provided on the day. I cannot guarantee that the food will free be of nut traces.

About your child’s health
By signing this disclaimer you as a parent/guardian are responsible for the health of your child for the duration of the party and that you deem them to be “medically fit” to take part.

Please sign below
Child's Name(s):

Parent’s or guardian’s signature & date:

Name (in block capitals):