Question about etiquette

[photopam]

I took some pictures at my daughter's soccer game, and wanted to make them available to the other parents, free of charge. I was going to upload them to my website, in photocard and make them available to download for free from there. Is this bad etiquette? Posting them on my website that is?
Thanks for your thoughts!

[OTRphoto]

Only thing is that some parents might freak if the photos of their kids can be seen by everyone. Do you have a way to password protect the page so that they would know that not just anyone is downloading pics of their kids?

[toverman]

+1 on what Mel said.

This is the No. 1 parent concern for a youth soccer league near me. If I had submitted a proposal to photograph the league and planned to put images online, each team gallery had to be password-protected with passwords unique to each one. Parents still might freak that "someone was taking photos of my kid without my permission!" but because you're offering them as a good will gesture, shouldn't be that big a deal. After all, you should sort of know them because your daughter's on the team.

[photopam]

Yes it is password protected. I would not have it any other way!
I didn't know if that was bad form or not, to pass along images I took. Does it look like I'm trying to get business? Maybe I can offer a free session to all the families... Maybe I should just leave it alone...
Has anyone else done this for their kids teams?
Thanks!

[toverman]

Yikes ... I wouldn't give away free sessions to families! Lots of work for little return. I think offering action shots of the team is enough goodwill, really.

I'm kind of glad you asked the question and hope others will chime in. My son has been hinting that he'd like to play soccer in the near future. My plan is just to take photos of him playing, but sometimes a big camera and big lens can attract attention from the other parents.

[J Eddington]

I would consider it subliminal marketing. You were there taking shots of your own kid, you wanted to share photos of his team mates with their family. You don't have to say anything. They know you are a photographer and sell your services. Now they know who to call.

[photopam]

Should I wait and mention it to them at next practice or should I go ahead and e-mail them?
Urg! I don't know what to do...
I want to share my images and possibly get more clients, but at the same time, it feels cheap and like I am using an opportunity that maybe I should not. I made sure to get images of every kid who played, was I wrong?

Thanks for your help! I want to do what is right and not have people hate me!

[L Stegall]

I would wait and bring it up on the sidelines with the other parents at next game or practice. You have a very natural opening to do so, as I'm sure they saw what you were doing. Just share with folks that you have some images all all the kids and would like to share them. I'm sure people will be thrilled and will say yes -especially with them being password protected. I think it's great that you got all of them. When I shot my nephew's senior play last year, I made sure to get several shots of everyone in the cast and sent a CD to the drama teacher.

It's very thoughtful and, as someone said in another thread, good karma always comes around. So, while it may not be a direct marketing thing for you, it's a great gesture and one that people should remember. Just don't feel like you have to do it for every game!

[photopam]

Thanks Lisa!
These kids are three and four and most of the parents were busy helping the kids direct the ball. I am happy to share them so they have something. Even though they are not the best images I have produced (I'm not so good at action shots!)

[CaroleHayes]

If someone took pictures at my son's Tae Kwon Do tournament, or my daughter's ballet class or recital, and offered them to me for free, I'd be happy and grateful. If that person happened to be a professional photographer, I'd consider myself lucky that the pictures were likely to not suck.

And I would be happy to get an email about it, so I wouldn't have to try to remember the web address later....

[CaptainTom]

If you have email addresses send them one that says something like.

" I've had the pleasure of photographing my kids on the soccer field. I was also able to get some nice photos of the other players, and I'd like to share these with those families. I have put the photos on a secure web site where only those who have the password can view them. You can copy these images and have prints made at your local photo processor, or if you'd prefer, just let me know and I will be able to get you some prints at my cost. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me immediately at 555-1212."

the web site is www.goofykidshots.com and the password is imanut.

[CaroleHayes]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

If you have email addresses send them one that says something like.

" I've had the pleasure of photographing my kids on the soccer field. I was also able to get some nice photos of the other players, and I'd like to share these with those families. I have put the photos on a secure web site where only those who have the password can view them. You can copy these images and have prints made at your local photo processor, or if you'd prefer, just let me know and I will be able to get you some prints at my cost. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me immediately at 555-1212."

the web site is www.goofykidshots.com and the password is imanut.

Yes. What he said.

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by photopam

Thanks Lisa!
These kids are three and four and most of the parents were busy helping the kids direct the ball. I am happy to share them so they have something. Even though they are not the best images I have produced (I'm not so good at action shots!)

So, it's a "win-win" situation -good practice for you and a bonus for the other kid's parents. I loved the 3-4 year old's games - both our son's and our nephews. The kids are just like a little swarm all around the ball, but all afraid it will hit them. It was really just organized chaos and so fun. I'm looking forward to doing it all over again with a granddaughter (still got a ways to go, though, for her).

[CaptainTom]

If you get a call of complaint, just tell them that their kids photos will be taken down.
Don't cancel the whole thing because one or two parents might object.

You are being very professional and responsible.

[J Eddington]

Originally Posted by photopam

Thanks Lisa!
Even though they are not the best images I have produced (I'm not so good at action shots!)

OK this statement is a concern. You want to use photos that you are not so good at to promote your business? You might want to rethink that. SHOW only your best. Even if you missed some of the kids, get them next time.