Photography of children.

[Energize]

So when I was showing off my new camera at my riding school the owner said, that I couldn't have any children in the frame of any pictures without their parents permission because of some child protection laws or something and that some kids were in foster care and if someone saw a photo of them on the internet they would know their whereabouts (quite far-fetched I know), and so on.

Is there any legal basis to this or is it just misinformation?

She then asked if I would take of photographs of an activity day at the stables, as if I could be bothered with that after her imposing those kind of restrictions!

I believe there are restrictions on taking photographs of those that a court has ordered their identity not be disclosed, but is that going to be the case here?

 

[Energize]

You are always better looking at these things from two angles:

Legal - you are on private land, the owner of the land can ask you not to take photos. But once you are on public land (pavement/road etc) you can take whatever pictures you like.

Pragmatically - Be nice, be reasonable. If the owner had asked me I would stop or tell them that I would only photograph my child. Yes if children are in care and/or at risk then there are lots of good reasons why they shouldn't be photographed.

Ofc being pragmatic, but I was just wondering whether there was any legal basis for what she was saying. Her opinion may be different if she knew differently.

Because based on what I can tell there aren't any legal restrictions as such on taking photographs, as long as you have the landowners permission.

Just don't want to get arrested over some absurd law, like the people being arrested over taking photographs of landmarks. Not so bothered about neurotic parents who don't want their kids photographed.

 

[Energize]

Well you learn something new every day, all portrait photographers who go into schools, all people associated with care of and foster care of children, teachers, youth workers etc etc etc must have been mislead.

Although CRB does not prove anything, it is a requirement for taking photos of children that are not your own, and a requirement for taking photos of children without parental consent. Totally bureaucratic I agree, but it was asked and this is what you need.

However, feel free to take photos of whatever you like, it will only come into play if someone complains to authorities, police etc.

School policy and the law are two very different things.

 

[Energize]

If you're photographing kids, you need permission from the parents/guardians, it is simple as that.

That's not what the law says, with good reason. No one would ever be able to take a photograph in public if you needed permission from everyone who happened to be in the frame. In this case it's a sports facility open to the public, people are going to be taking pictures, it's unavoidable.