UK law - Photographing an "Under 18's" Football Team Presentation Night

ted_smith · Apr 30, 2008

Hi

I am delighted and thrilled to have been asked to shoot my first 'for hire' occasion after a friend recommended me having seen some photos I took at a party recently.

I have been asked to shoot an 'Under 18's' football league presentation evening. As I understand it the presentation evening will be held in a function room of sorts, perhaps like a scout hut or hotel conference room. Basically, somewhere 'non-public'.

I am concerned about the legal aspects of photographing people Under 18.

I want to check with you guys what the legal position is? If I get permission from the event organiser, in writing, is that enough or do I have to gain permission from every parent in the room!!? What else should I be aware of?

Thanks

Ted

Ian Grant · Apr 30, 2008

You need reporting to the Met, they asked us to report any suspicious photographer, I've even seen the posters here in Turkey.

Just do it, but with permission from an organiser, tell the organisers that if any parent has an objection they can withdraw their child. Actually it's up to them to ensure that under 18's aren't exposed to paedophiles.

I should have said I regularly shoot images of under 18's and the occasionally under 16 for work, I had to have police checks to work with minors, but as long as they bare supervised by a responsible adult while you take the images you have no legal problems.
Ian

AutumnJazz · May 1, 2008

There is something wrong with the world when someone feels the need to make a thread about this.

Síle · May 1, 2008

Hi Ted and congratulations on getting the job!
I'm not sure about the legalities in the UK, but in Ireland we need to get permission from each child's parent or guardian before we can take a photo at any event.
I'm involved in a sports club for under 18's and we have a standard form parents sign at the beginning of the year allowing photographs to be taken, if a parent
doesn't want their child photographed.. they just don't sign. It protects the child, the parent, the club or organisation and the photographer.
Chances are the football league will have something like this in operation already, ask the organiser, they'll put your mind at ease.
And good luck!

Síle

ted_smith said:
Hi

I am delighted and thrilled to have been asked to shoot my first 'for hire' occasion after a friend recommended me having seen some photos I took at a party recently.

I have been asked to shoot an 'Under 18's' football league presentation evening. As I understand it the presentation evening will be held in a function room of sorts, perhaps like a scout hut or hotel conference room. Basically, somewhere 'non-public'.

I am concerned about the legal aspects of photographing people Under 18.

I want to check with you guys what the legal position is? If I get permission from the event organiser, in writing, is that enough or do I have to gain permission from every parent in the room!!? What else should I be aware of?

Thanks

Ted

Steve Smith · May 1, 2008

In the UK I think it's about the same as Síle states for Ireland.
My wife works in the sports department of a high school and often takes photographs of children in events. Some of these have been used in various booklets, leaflets and newspaper articles.
At the start of the school year all parents are made aware that pictures may be taken and they will have either signed an acceptance of this or requested that their child is not included.
However, I don't think this is law, I think it is just an example of good practice and is probably something advised by the local education authority.

Steve.

haris · May 1, 2008

AutumnJazz said:
There is something wrong with the world when someone feels the need to make a thread about this.

I think the same...

Ian Grant · May 2, 2008

The law is designed to stop photographers from taking indecent or inappropriate photographs of minors.

Anyone involved with youth sport whether in a school, college or amateur club/association should have had a CRB (police record) check done by their employer or association. It's in the FA & RFU rules & guidlines for affiliated clubs.

It makes good sense for a school or club to seek written permission from parents at the start of each year/season but it's not actually necessary, all they are doing is exercising extra caution. What is far more important is that they check out the photographer, they are ultimately responsible if something happens, and legally should not leave a photographer alone (out of sight or ear shot) with unsupervised minors particularly on a one to one basis.

As the original question is about a presentation in front of many witnesses, there is no legal problem at all and all parents would hope a presentation is photographed properly, in fact they would be far more upset to find it wasn't !!!

Ian

ted_smith · May 3, 2008

Ian

That all makes a lot of sense and has clarified the position rather well - thanks.

I too feel saddened that we have to take these kind of precautions to protect our good names. It seems to be the world we live in now.

Ted

mdarnton · May 9, 2008

Don't worry. Soon it will reach the point where people won't leave their houses, everyone will starve, and the brave ones, minus the pants wetters, can start over again on building a reasonable world.

seawolf66 · May 12, 2008

AutumnJazz
I have to agree with you, But Its better to be safe than be in the cell trying to get a lawyer to explain your honest intentions and proof you were arterized to be there and being paid on top of it: Was there not a issue of child missing in scotland and ireland that made world wide news! think about it then you can understand some of the fear thats out there and fuelded by the newspapers and t.v's But the simple solution is Parents know where their child or children are at all times :

AutumnJazz · May 12, 2008

It's pretty bad here in the US, too. We haven't, however, stooped to defacing the homes of pediatricians, as some crazed people in the UK did once.

Bob F. · May 16, 2008

AutumnJazz said:
It's pretty bad here in the US, too. We haven't, however, stooped to defacing the homes of pediatricians, as some crazed people in the UK did once.

Mostly Urban Myth I'm afraid. The origin of this story is that a doctor in Gwent, Wales had the word "Pedo" spray painted on her door - probably by a youngster who thought it was a great joke. The newspapers and the internet blew it up from there. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4719364.stm

Cheers, Bob.

AutumnJazz · May 18, 2008

Oh, so it was just the media being sensationalist, then? Sorry.

ted_smith · May 23, 2008

After all that it seems that my 'friend of a friend' has got someone of the football team to take the photos instead. Gutted :-(

Thanks for all those who helped me with this though. I have kept it for future reference.

UK law - Photographing an "Under 18's" Football Team Presentation Night

haris

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