Photographer - ID

[Michael_Lambert]

Hey Peoples,

Alright question for you;

I ran in to the president of our soccer association the other day, and during some general chit chat he congratulated us on our pregnancy and made the comment that it will be nice to see our own little ones on the field in a few years. I replied to him yes that gives me a few years to perfect my photography so i can capture the truly amazing moments of my child’s growing up.

He then said he was meaning to talk to me about that, i thought i was in **** - i know i butted heads a couple of times last years with the officials going on power trips trying to remove me from fields or saying i was distracting players.. when in fact i was not but that’s another story. His concern was photographing the girls teams and the timbit teams ( 3-6 year olds) that he had received a number of calls to the associations office about a man wondering around the fields with a camera.. lol, well i can see how some parents could be concerned about this and the only games i ever photographed that had children or yonger women playing had family on the team so anyone who ever asked if i had a child on the team i made it clear i was only photographing family.

So he has asked that i try and wear something that clearly identifies my intentions on the field, he also suggested this might ease up the hassles i get from the officials. I asked him what he would like me to wear and he said it did not matter. He suggested having a T-Shirt made up saying across the pack "Photographer" However i felt walking around with a 30D with 70-200 2.8L and a 300D with a 28-70 2.8 clearly showed i was a photographer? But anyways..

What are some of the suggestions that everyone could share? Should i make a T-shirt maybe with my own company name on it saying photographer or some sort of a vest?

Anyone else ever have this sort of issue?

[20droger]

How about a T-shirt that says "Photographer," and also your website address. Then you can post the pictures you take (low res only, with a big watermark)) and other parents/family members can order high-res, unwatermarked pix from you. And always carry cards to give to anyone who inquires about your status.

[Pete]

Simply being seen to be talking with the coaches/parents should be enough for you. Or the coaches can communicate the fact you're photographing the kids to the teachers.

Over here in the UK, the kids parents sign up with the club and as they do so, grant a photo release for the kids to be photographed by anyone. Check to see if the same situation is in place where you're shooting.

[steved110]

It's a sticky area - I'm not sure how to advise. I've taken the easy way out and don't use my 'big' camera in situations like that - I am fed up trying to avoid including other people's kids when I'm doing family shots, and in the current climate of suspecting everybody, I can't be dealing with idiocy so I just don't do it.

I think it would be better if more people made a stand - but could I stand behind you ;);) ?

Constant erosion of little freedoms is a nasty side effect of modern society and I don't know how to deal with it.

[DVS_WiNdz]

How about a T-shirt that says "Photographer,"

I've been looking for one of those t-shirts. Know where I can buy one?

[_aravena]

Yeah, My dad order me and my fiancee some so if we're at a game or doing a portrait shoot. They're subtle though but not so much they're useless.

[kblair210]

I'm an overprotective parent (hey, she's new!) and I'm not seeing the problem with people I don't know taking pictures if my daughter was playing soccer.. maybe I'm not thinking like a pedophile or something, but what harm could be caused? I've actually considered going up the street to the local soccer fields to practice taking sports pictures. Guess I should rethink that.

[steved110]

It's different for ladies.

I'd suggest talking to the coaches and other parents first, and perhaps offer to share images - if you get a bad reaction, just don't take it any further.

[S.Horton]

Hey Peoples,

Alright question for you;

I ran in to the president of our soccer association the other day, and during some general chit chat he congratulated us on our pregnancy and made the comment that it will be nice to see our own little ones on the field in a few years. I replied to him yes that gives me a few years to perfect my photography so i can capture the truly amazing moments of my child’s growing up.

He then said he was meaning to talk to me about that, i thought i was in **** - i know i butted heads a couple of times last years with the officials going on power trips trying to remove me from fields or saying i was distracting players.. when in fact i was not but that’s another story. His concern was photographing the girls teams and the timbit teams ( 3-6 year olds) that he had received a number of calls to the associations office about a man wondering around the fields with a camera.. lol, well i can see how some parents could be concerned about this and the only games i ever photographed that had children or yonger women playing had family on the team so anyone who ever asked if i had a child on the team i made it clear i was only photographing family.

So he has asked that i try and wear something that clearly identifies my intentions on the field, he also suggested this might ease up the hassles i get from the officials. I asked him what he would like me to wear and he said it did not matter. He suggested having a T-Shirt made up saying across the pack "Photographer" However i felt walking around with a 30D with 70-200 2.8L and a 300D with a 28-70 2.8 clearly showed i was a photographer? But anyways..

What are some of the suggestions that everyone could share? Should i make a T-shirt maybe with my own company name on it saying photographer or some sort of a vest?

Anyone else ever have this sort of issue?

When I read this, I think that you need to be able to respond to this one question when asked --

Why are you taking pictures of other people's children?

[_aravena]

^Who asks? Just like you have a kid on one of the teams.

[ajbalazic]

As long as you're taking pictures of your own children (nephew's, neices...) then don't even think about getting any I.D. If someone asks, tell them you're photographing family. It's happened to me several times but once they (other parents) know I'm shooting my son, there's no problem. Don't feel that just because you have an slr and longer lens you should be treated any differently than someone using a point & shoot.

But, if you're taking shots of kids that you don't know, you better stop. Go to one of the adult rec leauges instead.

[S.Horton]

I am:
- Parent
- Youth Coach
- Photog, when not a coach

I stand by the advice to the OP, meant in the most helpful, kind tone you can imagine.

Oh, Mr. Lambert, congratulations on your upcoming parenthood! Grab a copy of What to expect when you're expecting,

[rooeey]

Its such a pitty that in this day and age we have to be suspicious of everyone in order to reduce the risk that the few pose to us...

I see the OPs point but don't be insulted just be transparent...Carry a flag if you have to and as mentioned advertise your web address ..Maybe a fluro vest like Aussie sports Photogs have to wear for OH&S reasons with PHOTOGRAPHER accross the back of it...

No one will be suspicious of something so obvious and you will probably find people more wanting to be in your shots....

We see a lot of posts regarding such sensitive issues where peoples integrity
and identity come under question....

I am going to get a cap with photographer on the front of it just to avoid undue suspicion...

[Woolburr]

It is a pretty sad commentary on our society when we think that everyone with a camera has nefarious intentions. Why would any rational person see a person photographing a sporting event as a pedophile? If they were taking pictures in the showers after the game...then you might just have a case.

Honestly, how is wearing a shirt that says "photographer" going to make one bit of difference in regards to determining if the person wearing it is a pervert?

I have both kids and grandkids....and I have never had a reason to think that anyone taking photos of them was doing anything evil. This is just the latest version of a witch hunt, probably caused by the end of the Cold War and the burning need to find a commie or a capitalist lurking behind every bush. Bring back the commies and capitalists!

[steved110]

In a housing estate just along the coast, near Southampton, a Pediatrician got run out of town on a rail by the local illiterati, who thought she was a registered pedophile ( at that time there was no public access to such a register - still isn't) !!

There is a lot of hysteria, sure, and it's very sad for the vast majority of innoccent people. But not much fun if the mob decides you are a weirdo. A good dose of common sense is best, unless you are the crusading type.

[neil_r]

It is a sad state of affairs but at any Junior rugby tournament that I have been to everyone with a camera has to register and get a badge. It is no big deal, you just say who you are, where you live and what your interest is. I have even had someone who said she was a "Local Child Protection Officer" ask to see my badge (it was attached to my hat at the time) once she had seen it she was happy. She then went off to berate one of the coaches because she had heard him swear during his half time talk with the under 11s :-)

When you say "remove you from the field" I take it you don't actually mean the field of play do you ?

[neil_r]

In a housing estate just along the coast, near Southampton, a Pediatrician got run out of town on a rail by the local illiterati, who thought she was a registered pedophile ( at that time there was no public access to such a register - still isn't) !!

I thought that was an urban myth, or are there just a lot of Sun readers in Southampton ?

[SlowBlink]

I saw a Mom teaching her little girl how to ride a bike last summer and the shot would have been great. I thought about taking it and then asking the Mother if she wanted a copy, I thought again and decided to just keep walking. I'd like to take kid shots once in a while, good excuse to sit on the ground and see what the latest Tonka model is. Unfortunately it's not worth the grief that could result.

[Michael_Lambert]

Guys don't get me wrong i dont mind advertising it. Infact last year at there year end tournement i had soo mnay people coming up to me asking me to photograph there kids and such i was going crazy the whole weekend the event organizers even had a link to my site on there Association home page for months on end for people to contact me and they have.

I have even asked them about being there hired pro, they do not have one and claim they dont want one however they have no issues paying for images if they are good for there site or advertising mine for parents who might want to buy some. I have also wanted to be around for some of the larger games for submissions to our local papers.. smaller town and a couple of small newspapers i would not mind seeing my work in.


As for the concerns i can see the concerns from parents when they come up and ask " Are you with the league" My anwser no sorry, just photographing family.. yet they see me at all 4 feilds through out two days.. not understanding that my wife has 18 necies / newfews and cousins who play for the town in there soccer association :D So i can see how it can be questionable.

I was even thinking of a couple of Tshirts made up with my logo on the front and across the back something like

http://www.michaellambertphotography.com/shirt.jpg

[DAMphyne]

I work for a sports photography company that does youth sports.
In my case, I always check in with the officials to make them aware that I'm going to be on the field. We also wear uniform t-shirts with the company logo.
One thing to be cautious of is posting photos on the Inter-net. Regardless of the quality, most parents don't want their kids photos posted without permission.
Our company has a contract with the different groups and parents who want to view pictures of the games can get passwords from the coaches and officials.
I suggest going to the organization and getting permission to photograph kids, especially on the field.

[zacker]

theres a place on flickr where you can make and print out badges, then just laminate them and stick it on your shirt or wear it around your neck. i think its like, FD's flickr toys or something....

[Michael_Lambert]

Damphyne,

I have already spoken to the president about that concern, He said that all parents are well informed when signing there children up about the camera policy, and that its public fields that any spectator may photography any event preformed on the fields. Somehting happened years ago and the town was sued becuase a childs picture made the paper.. somthing legal so they have now put that into the agreements right off the start.

Public feilds - public events - Cameras welcome.. atleast that is what i have been told.

[rooeey]

IMHO...I think the air of transparency bought about by wearing something as obvious as a jacket stating "Photographer" will be enough to lay the unwarranted fears of the few to rest.......I see your point and agree but its about perception and our perception is our reality.....:cry:





It is a pretty sad commentary on our society when we think that everyone with a camera has nefarious intentions. Why would any rational person see a person photographing a sporting event as a pedophile? If they were taking pictures in the showers after the game...then you might just have a case.

Honestly, how is wearing a shirt that says "photographer" going to make one bit of difference in regards to determining if the person wearing it is a pervert?

I have both kids and grandkids....and I have never had a reason to think that anyone taking photos of them was doing anything evil. This is just the latest version of a witch hunt, probably caused by the end of the Cold War and the burning need to find a commie or a capitalist lurking behind every bush. Bring back the commies and capitalists!

[steved110]

I thought that was an urban myth, or are there just a lot of Sun readers in Southampton ?

No myth. It was pretty shocking. I saw a lot of this on News 24 at the time.

It was during the Sun's 'Name and Shame' campaign - notice how it seemed to fizzle?

[greg20d]

I've been looking for one of those t-shirts. Know where I can buy one?

I had some polos made at "Zazzle"
They have a picture of a camera and say PHOTO in large letters

[DAMphyne]

Michael,
Sounds like you have the start of a good deal. Take pictures of kids playing and then sell the photos. Can't beat that. If the organization uses your photos and hooks you up to their website, go for it.
Maybe the president would settle for "Official _ _ _ Photographer.( fill in the blanks).
Not really a "PRO" photographer, but willing to share. Everybody wins.

[OdiN1701]

Just get a shirt with STAFF printed in big letters on the back.