The world is weird. It seems like there’s so much to handle all at once. Social media is particularly challenging, as sharing your work often means putting a piece of yourself out there for judgment. Additionally, there are important considerations when it comes to posting someone else's image online, especially without their permission. This is even more critical when it involves minors.
As a parent, I fully understand the complications of navigating these issues today. That’s why I've decided to separate my photo release for social media and web use from my usual contract into a specific request. I want to emphasize that I'm not a lawyer, but it's always wise to "cover your bases." Non-photographers, this is especially relevant for you as well!
Getting permission from parents before posting a child's face online is crucial, particularly if they prefer not to have their child’s image shared. While posting can help you gain more work, it’s essential to respect parents’ wishes.
For my personal posts, I’ve made it a policy not to share images of kids’ faces; using emojis 😎 can effectively cover a child’s face. For professional use, I recommend drafting a photo release and sending it to the parents. It doesn’t take long to create, and trust me, it will provide you with peace of mind, strengthen the trust between you and your clients, and demonstrate that you genuinely care about their privacy.
Even when it comes to adults, sending a photo release can be beneficial since contracts can be lengthy and people often don’t read them thoroughly. A separate release reiterates how you intend to use the photos and helps ensure everyone is on the same page.
Until next time, cheers!
