Photo Protocol
A few weeks ago, long-time friend, foodie and chef, Jim Hagy, posed a fabulous question on my Facebook wall about Internet picture-posting etiquette.
Hagy is not only proprietor of Chef’s Market Café in Goodlettsville, but he’s also an aspiring geek who is doing a great job of using new media and social networking sites to promote his restaurant and catering services.
He and his team work many interesting, high-profile events, and they often take photos of their culinary creations along the way to post on their blog, website and Facebook group. That’s all well and good, but what about taking and posting photos of the people?
“Say a member of my staff or I am at an event and taking photos and there are identifiable images of guests in the photos. Are we required to secure a written release before posting them on social media sites?” Hagy asked.
Well, I’ve got three rules when it comes to Internet picture posting of people at private events, and I’m talking about anywhere on the web — from social sites to blogs to Flickr:
Rule One: Stay away from the children.
I know, they’re cute. But seriously, they’re really not worth it. Parents are a protective bunch, and you never know if they have a reason to be (i.e. they are purposefully avoiding dangerous folks/family members). If you post a picture of someone else’s baby on your blog/wall/website/Flickr, and you didn’t at the very least secure verbal permission to do so (written is always best), you could be up a creek without a lawyer. Or fired.
A friend recently told me his co-worker was ousted from her summer camp gig for posting pics of her campers on her Facebook wall. Again, if the person/guest/beautiful moment/funny thing involves someone else’s minor children and you didn’t get permission to take their photos, DO NOT POST.
Rule Two: Be transparent.
Unless you’re scooping a photo for TMZ or Perez Hilton, just tell folks what you’re up to and ask if you can post their photo to your site/Twit Pic/blog/Facebook wall, etc. And then — this is key — respect their wishes if they say no.
This is especially important for business owners and service vendors like Hagy because he’s a trusted service provider at a private event; he’s not an official photographer and, clearly, folks aren’t expecting to be photographed by the caterer.
Still, who doesn’t want photos of their work in action, with smiling happy faces enjoying the fruits of their labor? So just ask first. Most of the time clients and complete strangers alike will say “sure!”
Rule Three: Pocket some proof.
You know how when you see those social page photographers at events they always have three things: a camera, a pen and a notepad? That’s on purpose. They are going to take your picture and publish it, so they’ll need two other things: the spelling of your name for the photo caption and some way to prove you gave them permission.
If you are at an event with fashionable strangers or clients, just ask if you can publish their photo on your site, then be sure to get them to write their names down on your notepad. Having the names of your subjects will make your photos look more professional; it also provides your own little way of proving permission was given just in case someone sobers up and/or forgets they gave you the green light. You’ll most likely never need proof, but you’ll have it anyway.
If these three rules have made you paranoid, that’s good. You know how much I love it when folks are a little bit scared to share things on the Web. I mean, have fun out there, but be smart and respectful about it.
And don’t forget the golden pixel rule: post unto others as you’d have them post unto you.
