Highschool athletic photo question concerning websites

[toverman]

In a former life as a newspaper editor, if we were visiting a school to take photos (always with permission, always checking in at the front office), depending on the campus we also had to run our picks for publication by the principal to ensure any kids singled out/named were allowed to be pictured. A few good shots were halted because of the policy. In that instance, I understand.

When it comes to a publicly played game, performance or concert by a school group, the rules change. But to not bruise the fruit, smoothing it over with the coach sounds like a plan. You might even find yourself as the booster club's chosen photog in the future.

[Cat L]

I am just not sure. I am going to make a call to the admin here. I know a few peeps who will probably know. I can also call TEA.
When you say public... They are playing on school district property so I think there may be a president here. Also kids are involved in UIL so they may have to sign a waiver to be involved because photos are going to be taken. It is something to find out about to make sure everyone is protected,Photogs and children.

C

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by Cat L

I have to say something from a different angel. I am a PTA president and we have to make sure before we use any image that the parent did not request it not be made public. Each parent has to sign a form at the beginning of the year. I would always ask the coach if he had this form to show you. There are always safety issues. Those being 1st and foremost of importance when it comes to children. Sometimes in this mixed up world there are people who want to hurt others. Most of them use their kids. So we need to make sure that we are thinking of the kids even though the parents don't. Weird huh. Sad even. Just like you need a model release if you shoot a photo of a child you should have the parents sign a release. It protects you and the child.

That is my 2 cents. take or leave it. But remember the athlete in a high school game is still just a child. Think of them 1st and you will be fine.

Cat

That only applies to photos published in school district authorized publications, ads, etc. They can't stop a parent or anyone else who is lawfully in a public place from taking photos and posting them, unless the photos themselves are of an illegal nature.

[DeannaD]

+1 to David. The forms we sign in FBISD have to do with the use or images/work by the school district. You can't have an expectation of privacy when you play high school sports. The newspapers send photographers out and they don't ask anyone to sign releases.

I see nothing wrong in what you're doing and I think the parents would love to have some competition so the prices stay competitive.

[Dobick]

Spoke to the superintendant, and asked him if he was still ok with me shooting pictures, and that I intended to sell those pictures online, as well as if he was still thinking that competition was a good thing. He stated absolutely it is, and that there would be no problem. I then went on to let the superintendant know what the coach had sent me in the email, and that I think there may be some miscommunication. I also let him know that if there were some issue of needing support for the booster club I would be happy to help out.
He said that he would speak with the coach to find out why the coach would say something like that, but that he was fairly certain that the coach only wants to ensure the protection of his players and that there should be no problems... He then said to give him a few days and he would speak to the coach.

I guess we will see?

[texkam]

Troublemaker.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by texkam

Troublemaker.

I know

[RubenZamora]

Originally Posted by Jim Victory

I have shot many local highschool sporting events and it is always good business to donate some shots to the various booster clubs. It will get you treated better, provide access to events, and they will help promote your business.

Very well said and in some cases if you deliver excellent work they will want you for their Sponsor Posters. It's always best go talk to Booster Clubs and even the Athletic Director.

[Dobick]

The problem with speaking to the booster club is that the competing photographer happens to be the president of the booster club, which is where I think a lot of this got started from

Update on this situation:

The superintendant called me yesterday and after a bit of a discussion suggested that the coach and I sit down in the supers office to discuss expectations and problems and hang-ups. Met with the coach this morning and it was a ver cordial meeting and just a small amount of misunderstanding and miscommunication, etc. He was first of all concerned that at the beginning of each season he has all the kids sign a release (as was discussed earlier) and wanted to ensure that by giving me access to the field that he was not in some way endorsing me as a provider. The other concern is that he wanted to ensure that no other teams would be able to get scouting information from my photos. We came to an agreement that if ever he saw a photo that made him uncomfortable for any reason, that my door and phone line was always open and I would be completely receptive to ensure that kids were protected and that the last thing I ever would intend would be to cause harm to one of the kids.

Overall a very productive meeting and I feel that everyone is walking away happy and feeling like they won. I may end up blindsided by the political 18-wheeler later, but for today, everything is smooth and happy...

thank you to everyone for the advice and information, it really allowed me to go into the meeting prepared for all of the scenarios that were discussed.