Shots of Children - anyone know the law?

Need a bit of a quick answer here if possible but if you were to take photo's of children at a swimming gala as an official photographer, where do you stand with regard to selling photographs after the event, are there any laws that a photographer maybe breaking?

I was going to photograph swim competition last year, i had to have a CRB check in advance of the competition. I would ask if this is needed where you are photographing, just incase you get left hanging on the day. On the day ask the PA guy to announce if any parent does not wish to have their childs photograph taken let it be known to the officials, who will then make it clear to you who not ot photograph. hope it helps

ukhamsterclub wrote in post #2234546
Need a bit of a quick answer here if possible but if you were to take photo's of children at a swimming gala as an official photographer, where do you stand with regard to selling photographs after the event, are there any laws that a photographer maybe breaking?

Anything you do as an official photographer, you abide by the rules of the organisers who appointed you, surely? It depends on the arrangements you made with them, if you aren't sure then they are the people to ask.

Sandpiper is right....you're responsible to the organisers and you need to be guided by them. And I think you've actually raised two questions here - the right to photograph and the right to sell. You have the right to take photos as the official photog, and the organisers will probably have made consent to photograph a condition of entry for all children, but check that they have. When I've done similar events, if consent is not given, then the child does not enter. Making an announcement on the day will only complicate matters since it not only becomes unworkable but you will have difficulty verifying whether a person has the right to withdraw or give consent on the spot, and that will open a whole new can of worms. And what will you do if somebody claims that they didn't hear the announcement and so gave no permission for you to photograph their child? Or if Dad says yes and Mum says no?

Secondly, if you do sell photos later, then you won't be breaking any criminal laws (providing that you're not doing anything untoward or obviously illegal with them, either on your own or through a third person) because you were entitled to take them, having been appointed and so approved, and by having the required consent. That doesn't change. What might change though, is what you can do with them because they were taken for and on behalf of the organisers.....and so it goes back to you needing to establish what their take is on it.

What I would say to you though - and I speak as somebody who has been in exactly this position - is that having done all you can to check and double check, if you've still got any doubts at all, steer clear. Is it really worth enduring the sort of potential aggravation this could cause just to sell a few photos? Hope it works out for you.

Regards

Zin Zin

Depends on what country you are in, or what state. Here is Australia you can photograpgh anything or anybody you want, as long as you do not use the picture to advertise a product. Most people think that cameras are banned from beaches and pools etc, but it is a myth. All the laws were dumped when presented in parliament.

Don't know about the law, but I can tell you this, you will almost certainly not be allowed to use flash until after the start of each heat. The reason is simply that the starting system uses a strobe, very similar to what is on your camera (the less expensive start systems actually have a camera flash in them) and the swimmers and timers will invariably mistake your camera flash for the start signal.

If you make clear to the referee that you you are tripping your flash only upon HEARING the start signal (there is also an audible start signal that sounds upon start), you should have no problems (since sound travels way slower than light, waiting for the sound keeps you clear of the light signal). And yes, it is a measurable difference even at only 12.5 to 25 yds.

David S.
USA Swimming (Referee, Retired).

marcusg6@bigpond.net.a​u wrote in post #2236194
Depends on what country you are in, or what state. Here is Australia you can photograpgh anything or anybody you want, as long as you do not use the picture to advertise a product. Most people think that cameras are banned from beaches and pools etc, but it is a myth. All the laws were dumped when presented in parliament.

Same rules apply to the USA! Anyone is free to photograph anyone, regardless of their permission. As i am sure everyone has seen, all those PAPARAZZI moments where people get fed up with the photographers in their faces.... then again Celebrities play by different rules

Although permission isn't needed, my feelings lean towards recieving permission in advance anyway, as to not create drama or anything

Edit: I wanted to add that especially in public areas, is it acceptable to photograph anyone you choose, as long as it isn't for commercial purposes!

Thanks all, I was fairly sure I knew the position but you have all confirmed it.

There's a comprehensive guide here:

http://www.sirimo.co.u​k …hotographers_ri​ghts_guide

Also read through the comments which provide a lot more information.

http://www.thecpsu.org​.uk …s=Left&Menu=234​6&Sel=0304

---- Gavin