Permissions
When using video or photos please ensure that the appropriate permissions have been gained.
- All photographs or videos in which under 18’s appear, need a signed permission form.
- You also must ask the permission of the child or young person themselves that they give consent to be photographed and their image used, ensuring that they understand fully how and where their image will be used.
- All photographs or videos that identify an individual in a close-up shot, or by name, need a signed permission form.
- For group photographs of adults, verbal permission is adequate, providing that they have had the opportunity to ‘opt out’.
- Best practice would be to display written notices as well as making an announcement.
- Individuals can withdraw their consent at any time, even if they have signed a form, so it’s also important to keep track of who is appearing in the photographs and footage.
Some template forms for you to adapt and use
- Standard Video and Photo use permission form - for use if you are taking/ using photographs of themselves as individuals and identifying them by name, or in the case of under 18’s, the child for which they have parental responsibility.
- Video and Photo use Third Party permission form - If you have received photographs from a third party, e.g. a community group or local school, then you should ask them to confirm that they have permission to use and pass on the images. You can adapt this template form for use.
- Booking clause for commissioned photographers - If you're hiring an external photographer for an event, be sure to adapt this wording and include in the booking request, to ensure that GDPR responsibilities are met.
- Sample Event Notice Wording - Template wording that you can adapt for use and display at events.
Tips on getting the best photograph
The best pictures for promoting your church or event show people. Here are a few tips to consider.
- A good crowd is always a benefit.
- Be confident to direct people who you are photographing.
- Try lots of different angles to see what works best and remember to check the background (you don't want a drainpipe growing out of someone's head!).
- Always consider moving chairs, curtains, etc. to make sure you have a picture that works best.
- Get in close to the subject. If the picture needs to be cropped later, quality will be reduced.
- Take plenty of pictures before choosing the best one. Even after you have a great picture, try to get a better one.
- Keep talking to the people you are photographing to maintain their interest in getting a really great shot of the event.
- Get names of everyone, spelt correctly, and identified left to right.
- Ensure you have the recorded permissions of everyone in the shot or have made it clear at the event that photographs will be taken and those wishing not to be included must make the photographer aware.
What the media outlet wants
- Email the story to the media outlet. Find contact details for local media outlets here.
- Include full contact details and information about who is sending the news release.
- Send the picture as an attachment to the story, not embedded in a MS Word document or PDF.
- Use high resolution pictures, if the file is less than 1MB, it will be too small to show properly.
Technicalities
- Digital images are needed.
- Don't compress the image to reduce file size.
- Don't alter the image. Avoid manipulating the digital image if at all possible.
- The picture shouldn't need to be cropped - this will reduce quality.
- Wide angle lenses work best.
- Using the flash can help to draw attention to foreground items and people.
- Familiarise yourself with the built-in settings for your camera. There are frequently pre-determined picture-taking settings that will help give you the best picture for your setting.