Comments on: Do You Use ‘Real’ Pictures on your Organization’s Website?

By: Christopher Mills

Christopher Mills — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:30:30 +0000

youth activities are always centered on enjoying the day and socializing with other teens;-`

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:17:42 +0000

I take SLR photographs during church events. These often involve children. Do I need model releases for adults or children. These photographs are used during announcements and on our website. Recently an interesting event came up. A photograph was taken during the invitation with a cell phone. The photograph subject was the pastor and two minor children. The photographer published the photograph on her facebook page. This photograph was quickly “tagged” and used by others on their pages. Question, if anyone in the photograph (pastor or children) objects to the use, does the church have a problem, does the photographer have a problem or the person that tagged the photograph?

By: UU Stock Photo – Images for Unitarian Universalist Websites « The UU Growth Blog

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:25:24 +0000

[...] Do You Use ‘Real’ Pictures on your Organization’s Website? on discussion on Church Crunch Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Misuse of Stock PhotosDiversity has never been so beautifulfriday fun [...]

By: @karlfisher

@karlfisher — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:42:58 +0000

We use real photos on our site & publications. Our rule of thumb is if it's a portrait-ish photo of an adult, we usually just ask if we can use it. If it involves a minor, parents must fill out a small info/med emergency card for kids to be involved in ANYTHING at the church, so we just put a spot on there about photo permission.

By: David

David — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:08:06 +0000

we've recently started taking release forms and had a mom chose not to sign. Wen i asked her why, she sad that her ex-husband was looking for her son and searched the internet to find them. It's the only experience I've had with this but it made me a believer in the need to seek permission to post pictures.

By: Clay

Clay — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:48:05 +0000

Generally, if you're taking pictures of adults, it's good practice to issue release forms, and can help keep you out of legal trouble.

If you are EVER, at ANY TIME, taking pictures of minors and publishing them ANYWHERE, there MUST be a release form. There is no way to sidestep this: It is the law and it's taken extremely seriously; and it keeps your kids safe.

By: Graham Brenna

Graham Brenna — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:15:33 +0000

We are planning on using more "real pictures" on our new site which I just recently pushed the launch date to May on. When it comes to children it is a concern for parents and I understand that. Certainly if there is a parent in that child's life that they are trying to get away from. Our Children's department asks each family to sign a general release form at the beginning of every program year. If the parents don't sign it… our staff make sure to not include that child in group photos.

As I said though, when our new site launches in May you will see pictures of ONLY our congregation. There will be no stock photos of people on there.

By: Daniel Decker

Daniel Decker — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:07:09 +0000

Our church uses a combo of stock and "real" pics for a variety of different things, just depends on the use. We ask for permission if something is going to be used online in a focal way, more so out of courtesy. If we are using it for a print piece (banner, mailer, etc) then we get a release. Reason between the two… web is easily removable if someone changes their mind, etc. Print, too costly to redo something after a massive print run so we want to be sure we have their sign off. We try to use more "real" than stock photos but there are times when we just choose stock over real because it's easier to access when we need something of a certain style or composition.

By: Graham Brenna

Graham Brenna — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:18:41 +0000

I hear ya… if you don't have certain races in your church… I don't think it's bad if you don't post pictures of those races. As long as the church uses "real people" from their congregation I don't think they can get in trouble for not being inclusive of another ethnicity. It is a slippery slope though, you are right.

By: @BrianAyers

@BrianAyers — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:38:39 +0000

We include, as part of the legal jargon in all of our parental release forms for children & youth activities, a line that says they give permission for us to use photos of their children in advertisements/website/promotion. This pretty much takes care of the issue for us