Childrens Dance Competition

[sie]

Hi all,

I'm in the UK and wondered if anyone new of any issues (maybe legal) with shooting children at a dance competition (including my own) and then offering them for sale (the pictures, not the chidren) on my website.

My wife things I need every parents permission to do this, and I think that if the images are on a password protected site, it would be ok.

Anyone any experience with this, or how I should handle it?

Thanks all,
Sie

[bigrob]

I don't think you need permission to sell them.

If you're selling them to the parents would you not be explaning to the parents before what you want to do and ask them if they want their child photographed?

You would then be giving them details of your website & log in details.

[birdfromboat]

I did this for free for my daughters dance team. No money changed hands, so legality was not much of a problem. the only time I had to deal with anything like legal issues all season was when a pro photographer took umbrage to my shooting in a school cafeteria that he had been forced to pay rental on to use as a studio for team shots. The team was hanging out there eating lunch and I took some candids about 75 feet from his set up (lights and risers). The guy acted very cool in front of his potential customers when he explained that the room was his and that any photography was forbidden. I put my cap on and acknowledged his authority, no problem. But the guy was passive/aggressive and reamed me later when he caught me outside away from his customers. I was actually walking up to him to help him load up his gear and maybe get some advice or start a friendship. I think he was tired of policing his studio all day and jumped me because he could or because I had a white lens and he assumed I was a pro that should have known better.
My advice, find a pro that is working the competition and ask where the boundaries are, ask the director of the competition, or call ahead to the governing athletic association. I shot hundreds and hundreds of shots with only the one instance of trouble.
As for legality in the UK, I havent a clue. just thought I would tell you about this particular pitfall and warn you to be careful of it.

[sie]

Thanks for that guys, very useful information.

[birdfromboat] that's a shame he felt to treat you like that at the end. May have been a long day?!?

I plan to sell them and raise money for the school with some of the proceeds going to the school to help out with uniforms, and its good to hear that you have never had any real problems with the shoots.

I'll be sure to check out the things you mention though...

Thanks again ...