There's no doubt about it, children are highly photogenic. A picture, it is said, is worth a thousand words, and a well-chosen photograph or video film of a young child can undoubtedly help to advertise and sell a product or entice people to attend an event.
As editor of a small magazine distributed to around 700 families in my local area, I have been pleasantly surprised by the willingness of parents to allow their children's pictures to be used within its pages. They help to make the magazine look more colourful, attractive and professional. Photos to illustrate a piece are so much better than drawings, diagrams or clip-art images can ever be.
Being the child chosen to illustrate an article or 'model' for the front cover can be regarded as a great honour. Many a child has proudly taken a copy in to school or nursery to share their new-found fame with their teachers and friends.
But there can be dangers inherent in the use of photos of young children. Anyone who works with families should be alert and sensitive to the risks (however small), as well as the benefits, when planning to arrange or allow any form of filming or photography involving the children in their care.
Well informed
The taking of any photos within the nursery setting or at any organised event that involves children, such as sports days, nativity plays, prize-givings or fetes, should, wherever possible, be arranged with the full co-operation and consent of the parents.
If an official photographer has been hired, they should wear visible ID, be introduced to those present and be given clear guidelines as to the type of pictures they are expected to take and when and where they may be used. It would, for instance, be wrong to allow photos that were taken specifically to publicise the opening of a new playground in the local press or to illustrate a forthcoming children's events brochure, to then appear in other non-related publications or on the internet.
If everyone is well-informed as to why the photos are being taken, parents' suspicions and wariness can be allayed and everyone will get the best from the experience, while also allowing any parent who has objections to their child's image being used to withdraw the child from the scene being photographed.
Of course, parents often like to take their own photos at events, of their own children and more generally. This is usually to be encouraged, as long as everyone present is in agreement.
It is the presence of an unidentified stranger or anyone showing an unnatural or unexplained interest in the children that will cause concerns. They should be challenged and, if thought necessary, they should asked to leave.
The use of digital cameras and the e-mailing and distribution of photographic images in recent years has made the possibilities of misuse of photographs more likely, or at least easier, because photographic production no longer has to pass through the hands of a developing company who might, in the past, have alerted the police to any images it considered inappropriate. It has been known for pictures found on the web to be copied, manipulated and altered for sexual purposes.
Despite these remote possibilities, taking pictures of happy children at play is usually a very positive experience to be enjoyed by all, and often results in some excellent publicity and displays. It would be a great shame to worry parents or children unnecessarily about dangers which, in most cases, do not exist.
Snap happy
The best photographs are usually those that focus on a particular activity, and often involve groups of children happily at play and blissfully unaware of the photographer. Written consent from all who may appear in a large group, even in the background of the shot, is not always possible to obtain, especially at a public event where anyone can attend.
For close-up pictures of an individual child, however, specific parental consent should always be sought, and the proposed use for the pictures fully explained. Most parents are unlikely to object, but a lot of unnecessary problems will be avoided if anyone feels uneasy, especially if the photos are being taken when the parent is not present.
Care should be taken when naming individual children. Other personal details that would enable a stranger to identify where the child lives should not be given.
Viv Hampshire is a library outreach worker for Sure Start Townfield in Hillingdon, London
CASE STUDY: AMAR
When Amar was three he took part in a competition at Hayes library to plant and grow a sunflower seed. I took lots of photos of the children that day, and many of these formed a beautiful display on the library noticeboard.
Amar's mother, Suki, had learned from past experience that he would not pose happily for a stranger, and that already knowing me as the photographer made for a much more relaxed, happy and natural photograph. When I was choosing a front cover shot for the new magazine I was editing, Amar's photo kept coming to the top of the pile. Although his mother had signed a general permission form allowing his photo to be taken and used for publicity purposes, I spoke to her again before thrusting a much more widespread publicity upon her young son. She willingly agreed, and the whole family were thrilled with the result.
Suki says that when Amar started at his new nursery he took the magazine to show his teacher. She added, 'In fact, we show it to everyone we know!'
I have, of course, asked for her permission again before reproducing the photo here in Nursery World.
TOP TIPS FOR PICTURE TAKING
There are certain precautions to follow before any images are taken within the nursery setting.
- Seek parents' consent, in writing, wherever possible. If the taking of photos is a regular event, you may wish to get blanket consent when the child first attends the nursery, rather than use new forms on each occasion.
- Make sure that everyone understands where the photos will appear and why.
- Never pressure anyone to give consent. Allow parents to opt out or refuse their permission, whatever their reasons may be.
- Make sure that all children to be photographed are suitably dressed. In no circumstances should naked or partially-naked children be photographed or filmed.
- Never use a child's personal details, such as their address. Only use the child's full name when necessary and with parents' consent.
- When using a professional company, it can be useful to build a relationship with one particular photographer so that parents and children come to know and trust them. In any case, ensure that they wear ID and are supervised while on the premises.
- Never leave a photographer alone with a child or allow pictures to be taken in the child's home.
- Avoid any situation that could make a child vulnerable to the attention of strangers. Don't be afraid to challenge anyone you don't recognise or whom you suspect might be acting inappropriately.
- Use your photos wisely. Be careful when displaying them on websites, where unauthorised use is impossible to control. Simple techniques such as watermarking posters can also help to prevent easy copying or manipulation.
- Most importantly, ensure that any 'photo shoot' is enjoyed by all those present, and share the results with pride.