Shooting a kids football team

[LeighM]

Hi guys, I was hoping someone could give me some advice about a shoot I've been asked to do.

A friend of a friend runs a kids (under 8 years of age) football (soccer) team and they've asked me to take some shots for a fundraising calendar to be sold to the kids parents.

I've agreed to do the shoot FOC, as long as I get a credit and I can use the pics for my portfolio... which is where I think we have an issue.

If I were dealing directly with the parents, I'd get a release signed, but as I'm not, I'm pretty sure I can't simply get the consent from the team. I thought about getting a release signed for each kid prior to the shoot, but this could backfire if one or more of the kids parents don't sign.

Anyway, I'm sure some of you have had a similar situation in the past so any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Leigh

[Tigershark]

A lot of leagues (at least the ones i shoot) have a release already built in on the registration form that the parents signed when signing up their kid, if that is the case then you can piggy back off that one. Do you know if there is an existing one for the league?

[Patrick]

Print a release and have the coach get as many parents as possible to sign it.
Ultimately, this should have been in the contract before anything was agreed to. If the parents don't sign then focus more on the kids of the parents that did sign.
Also, while this is debatable, you don't need a release for use in a portfolio.

[LeighM]

A lot of leagues (at least the ones i shoot) have a release already built in on the registration form that the parents signed when signing up their kid, if that is the case then you can piggy back off that one. Do you know if there is an existing one for the league?

Ah, that would be very useful, I'll check with the team.

Thanks.

[LeighM]

Print a release and have the coach get as many parents as possible to sign it.
Ultimately, this should have been in the contract before anything was agreed to. If the parents don't sign then focus more on the kids of the parents that did sign.
Also, while this is debatable, you don't need a release for use in a portfolio.

That was how I'd imagined it might work, although I'm not sure the team would want a part team photo if some of the parents wouldn't sign.

If there's no umbrella release form their league registration then they'll have to get each of the parents to sign before we can do anything.

Thanks.

[Dennis_Hammer]

I say shoot the kids pick out your twelve calendar pictures. Then have the coach pressent them with an 8x10 of the shot in exchange for the signed release for the calendar. I say this because no matter if they signed a blanket release for the league it can still cause a ton of trouble if a parent thinks (incorrectly) their child is being exploited.

[nwagirl]

Assuming this is a league, and not a school team - also ask them to include you as a team sponsor in exchange. A lot of teams have sponsor logos on team banners, programs, even the jersey's - and also don't forget on the calendar. At least it get your name out in front of the parents, grandparents, etc who may book sessions later on. Just an idea..

[MJPhotos24]

Personally I'd try to do a pre-sale of the calendar and the parents that buy have the release right on the order form so you know who exactly to put in and know they're paid up. Always better to do pre-sale if at all possible!

[Dennis_Hammer]

I would have said do a pre-sale too but it sounds like the league is using it as a fundraiser and the photographer is just taking the shots. At least thats how it sounds to me.

[LeighM]

I say shoot the kids pick out your twelve calendar pictures. Then have the coach pressent them with an 8x10 of the shot in exchange for the signed release for the calendar. I say this because no matter if they signed a blanket release for the league it can still cause a ton of trouble if a parent thinks (incorrectly) their child is being exploited.

From what I now understand, there's no blanket release from the league. The team coach has my release form which she'll get signed by each childs parent/guardian... hopefully, or it'll be an interesting team photo.

Assuming this is a league, and not a school team - also ask them to include you as a team sponsor in exchange. A lot of teams have sponsor logos on team banners, programs, even the jersey's - and also don't forget on the calendar. At least it get your name out in front of the parents, grandparents, etc who may book sessions later on. Just an idea..

My thoughs exactly, they said they had a small budget but I said I'd do it FOC in return for a credit/URL in the calendar. The potential incremental work being woth a few hours of my time.

Personally I'd try to do a pre-sale of the calendar and the parents that buy have the release right on the order form so you know who exactly to put in and know they're paid up. Always better to do pre-sale if at all possible!


I would have said do a pre-sale too but it sounds like the league is using it as a fundraiser and the photographer is just taking the shots. At least thats how it sounds to me.

The idea of a pre sale is an interesting one and a new one on me, but Dennis is correct, I'm just taking the shots so the team can raise funds for this season. I would imagine if your kids in the team, you'll probably buy a calendar as it sounds a close knit team.

[LeighM]

Thanks again for all the advice, it is very much appreciated.