Photographing children query

hungrymark

hungrymark

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What's the 'done thing' as regards photographing children with whom you are not familiar? I was watching some kids down at the local skate park and they looked pretty good at what they were doing so I was wondering about practising a bit of action stuff. Obviously I'd ask their permission but what about parental concerns etc?

I have no intention of publishing any photographs as it would be purely to develop my own skills.

Cheers
M
 
whole can of worms,dependant on age,if you can have a chat ask one if their parents can nip up next time,give em your business card/or email address so you can be contacted prior
Im CRB checked,and get asked to produced it for ridiculous reasons,if there are Parents/guardians present, shouldn't think you'll have a problem, you've just gotta make contact first,is there not a local club/group,try a search or ask one of the lads,what a society when you have to panic about speaking to kids/teenagers
 
I'm a teacher and CRB'd up to my eyeballs so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for replying, what a minefield!
 
haha sorry but the wife just came up to the screen and saw your thread and all she saw was:

"Photographing children query" by "hungrymark"

and pointed out how wrong that looks! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
grum said:
Just ask them and I'm sure it will be fine. Seems some people on here are buying into the national paranoia.
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I work in a climbing centre - where we ask every participant or their guardian if they would like pictures taken - as a photographer, wearing a uniform that says 'photographer' and still get hassle off parents that want to know why I'm taking photos that might have their kid in the background so I'm not so much buying into national paranoia as letting the OP know how, in my experience, these situations go.
 
andephotographic said:
I work in a climbing centre - where we ask every participant or their guardian if they would like pictures taken - as a photographer, wearing a uniform that says 'photographer' and still get hassle off parents that want to know why I'm taking photos that might have their kid in the background so I'm not so much buying into national paranoia as letting the OP know how, in my experience, these situations go.
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Absurd though, isn't it.

The media have a lot to answer for in my opinion.
 
Frankly this is roughly akin to taking a garden roller through a minefield = risky!
Sadly in this country togs who photograph children (outside a studio) are looked upon as a dangererous risk by joe public. Your almost certainly going to get challenged by any adult passing whether they have anything to do with the children or not, theres also a fair chance the children themselves will start shouting "P****" just for the hell of it.
If your really unlucky you may get a visit from plod, depending on where you live this could all come back to haunt you and make your life a misery.
Lets not forget it wasn't that long ago a paediatrician had a load of grief because the moron mob didn't know the difference between Paediatrician and Pedophile.
 
I live in a village of 400 people (and have done for decades). If I'm asked to photograph a birthday party or similar - fine. But it's just too much hassle now to record "public" events with kids involved in my own community. Crying shame.
 
andephotographic said:
There, I fixed it for you.
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:clap: Bang on.

Easy answer to you question OP - DON'T DO IT!
Too much hassle, and if there's even the smallest chance it will backfire (which there IS) then stay clear.

Sad indeed, but it really isn't worth the risk.
 
I took my camera to the local cycle/skate park a while ago to get some shots of my kids on their bikes/scooters. Thinking about it I have done it about 5 or 5 times, if not more.

The only comment I had was one of the teenyboppers saying "whats happening, what you doing?" to which I replied "taking some photos of my daughter on her bike" and nothing more was said.

I hae also thought of asking the kids if I can take some shots of them, but haven't. Mainly cos I don't have the time, although it would be fun to do!
 
There are no laws stopping you from doing it. If it's at a skate park, just ask the kids, if anybody says anything to discuss it with them.

I've done this at my local skate park and the one on the South Bank. Just because the media doesn't like it you shouldn't stop doing your hobby.

Steve
 
See, all this people saying "It's too risky, don't do it" are encouraging the whole idea that anyone photographing in public might possibly be upto no good.
 
just ask the kids if they don't mind having their pics taken. Offer to give them a few too. No reason to fear or think there is anything wrong.

hungrymark said:
What's the 'done thing' as regards photographing children with whom you are not familiar? I was watching some kids down at the local skate park and they looked pretty good at what they were doing so I was wondering about practising a bit of action stuff. Obviously I'd ask their permission but what about parental concerns etc?

I have no intention of publishing any photographs as it would be purely to develop my own skills.

Cheers
M
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hungrymark said:
I'm a teacher and CRB'd up to my eyeballs so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for replying, what a minefield!
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Yep, and that CRB check is only valid for your role as a teacher in the school you teach in.
 
Jelster said:
There are no laws stopping you from doing it. If it's at a skate park, just ask the kids, if anybody says anything to discuss it with them.

I've done this at my local skate park and the one on the South Bank. Just because the media doesn't like it you shouldn't stop doing your hobby.

Steve
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:agree: I did the same thing at a skateboard in Lancashire, with no problems at all.

Don't let the red top papers hysteria spoil your hobby.

I have thousands on photo on my computer, all with little boys and girls wearing just shorts and skimpy vests, gee the papers would have me as a right pervert.

Actually a shoot for the Young Athletes League, English School Cross Country, and several running leagues for under 16s. It's all about perception and how people want to think, the law is very clear, there are no restriction on taking photos of kids so long they are not in anyway sexual.


I completely agree with ConfusedChicca,
See, all this people saying "It's too risky, don't do it" are encouraging the whole idea that anyone photographing in public might possibly be upto no good.
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and think they are just making things worse, as any uniformed person looking at the forum would think we are in the wrong with something to hide.


You CRB has no relevance to the situation your asking about. A CRB is for very specific situations which an occasional activity is not covered.

* Activity involving contact with children or vulnerable adults and is of a specified nature (e.g. teaching, training, care, supervision, advice, medical treatment or in certain circumstances transport) on a frequent, intensive and/or overnight basis;
* Activity involving contact with children or vulnerable adults in a specified place (e.g. schools, care homes etc), frequently or intensively;
* Fostering and childcare;
* Certain specified positions of responsibility (e.g. school governor, director of children's services, director of adult social services, trustees of certain charities).

What is frequently, intensively and/or overnight?

* Frequently is currently defined as 'once a week' for most services, except for health and social care services which involves personal care when it is 'once a month or more'
* Intensively takes place on '4 days in one month or more'
* Overnight takes place between 2-6 a.m
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ConfusedChicca said:
See, all this people saying "It's too risky, don't do it" are encouraging the whole idea that anyone photographing in public might possibly be upto no good.
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Yup.

To counter the idea that this always leads to hassle - I was the photographer at a community festival organised by the charity I work for. I didn't have anything on to suggest I was the official photographer.

I took pictures of various kids and families enjoying the festival and having a great time - never had any hassle at all all day. And this is in quite a 'chavvy' area. I think if you are open, relaxed and confident about what you are doing you are far less likely to get hassle than feeling paranoid and skulking around.

If we all just acted with common sense and tried to ignore the silly paranoia in this country it would probably go away a lot faster.

The CRB thing isn't really relevant - although it's not exactly true to say it only applies on the school you work in - for some reason 'they' have decided it's best practice for every organisation to do their own CRB checks and not rely on those from other organisations.
 
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What a crazy world we no live in. I am a family portrait photographer, CRB checked and have young kids of my own. Even if we go to the park you do feel like all other parents eyes are on you. It is totally wrong.

It does open a can of worms, some would be fine with it, but you can never tell what all parents reactions will be even with the best intentions. Being upfront is the best policy.
 
And the ridiculous thing is, if you give the kids a copy of them, probably the first thing they will do is put it up on there facebook page (along with the rest of their five billion photos) for the whole world to see.

There was a case where a father was innocently taking a photo with his phone of his child on sit and ride thing in a shopping centre. Security spoke to him and threatened to call the police if he didn't stop taking photos as he might be a paedophile. He explained that he was the child's father but that wasn't enough. The ironic part of the story is that the security guard then let the father (suspected to be up to no good) walk off with the child.
Moral of the story - You can't take photos of your children but you can run off with them.

Note: - the father was NOT up to anything dodgy
 
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Why not offer the kids some sweeties in return for the pics. :D
 
ConfusedChicca said:
See, all this people saying "It's too risky, don't do it" are encouraging the whole idea that anyone photographing in public might possibly be upto no good.
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No we are trying to give sensable advice, all the "it's quite legal you know" isn't going to help when an irate 7 foot 22 stone gorilla has you by the throat shouting p**** while a mob gathers.
It's not us you have to convince, it joe public, we know it's legal, but it might not be wise.
 
swanseamale47 said:
No we are trying to give sensable advice, all the "it's quite legal you know" isn't going to help when an irate 7 foot 22 stone gorilla has you by the throat shouting p**** while a mob gathers.
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How many times does this actually happen in reality? Very rarely I suspect, and probably much more likely when photographers are acting all cagey and weird because they are scared of it.
 
whipspeed said:
I shot a group of lads free running in Leicester. I just went up and asked them if I could. They had a great time posing for the camera & I got some shots & then they had some for facebook. No problems.
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Yes but your a Girl!

Sad but true, you would be perceived as much less risk, in fact they probably though you fancied one of them.

I say do it, but have some cards done so at least people have a peice of paper saying your a tog on it.
 
OK - have some cards printed .

This seems a good idea BUT everybody and his mother and father can get professional style business cards printed in machines in shopping centres , bus stations and the like .

Having what seems to be a printed business card is not the answer as you can put anything that seems OK on it - easy to make up a phone number , an e-mail address and even a home address
 
grum said:
How many times does this actually happen in reality? Very rarely I suspect, and probably much more likely when photographers are acting all cagey and weird because they are scared of it.
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Theres been a few on here challenged and had hassle. But why risk it for a few pics.
 
ladysue said:
What a sad reflection on our society this all is. Hopefully its just a phase and that common sense will prevail again soon.
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It's not a phase though and the reality is you have to be very careful with what you do.

If your son/daughter came home and told you about this man who'd been down the park with his camera who had asked if he could take pictures of them, what would be your first thoughts?
 
Lynton said:
Yep, and that CRB check is only valid for your role as a teacher in the school you teach in.
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Yup but generally Joe Public/Daily mail reader doesn't know that - just that people have to be CRB'd
 
swanseamale47 said:
No we are trying to give sensable advice, all the "it's quite legal you know" isn't going to help when an irate 7 foot 22 stone gorilla has you by the throat shouting p**** while a mob gathers.
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Then you point out to them that they are the ones breaking the law, threatening behaviour etc and offer to call the police.
 
Too scared to get my camera out anywhere near kids ,was waiting for my wife
couple of days ago ,she had called into a friends house in cul de sac ,I pulled up outside sat in our car waiting and there happens to be a primary school also there , children were playing in yard and couple of adults drinking tea and supervising when one of them looked over to me and putting down her cup ,she marched over to the school gate out onto the pavement ,she asked if I wanted something and reiterated "no thank you " and thinking I,m not saying why I,m there (why should I ?) she went back into the school and came back with a padlock and chain and locked the gate !
When my wife came out I told her (qualified nursery nurse with health authority) she said cheeky sods !
I have to be honest I was expecting the police to arrive , I know you can,t be too careful with children in the current times but I think its well over the top and gone too far not only with children .
I sometimes doubt wherever I am if children are in the frame ,should I take the photo !
 
There is an large shopping centre near us and I once saw this kid ( about 3 years old) bawling his eyes out and screaming "MUMMY!" unfortunately I gave in to the PC mob and stood well away for at least a couple of minutes until some woman came along and I had to ask her if she would mind helping the lad as I didnt want anyone to think I was a p*** and trying to abduct him...!
I'm not proud of it but I'd do the same again. Eventually after about ten mins and after we called security the mother turned up obviously upset and angry. and I bet the kid got a proper spanking. Poor kid! What would you have done...??
 
It also begs the question what harm all this behaviour is doing to the kids. Are they being forced to grow up in a world where every other human being is a perceived threat, by far the majority of the human race would care for a distressed child not leave them in anguish.
 
Byker28i said:
Then you point out to them that they are the ones breaking the law, threatening behaviour etc and offer to call the police.
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Feel free to try it, somehow I suspect the gorilla isn't going to listen :lol:
 
Byker28i said:
Yup but generally Joe Public/Daily mail reader doesn't know that - just that people have to be CRB'd
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And all a CRB proves is that you haven't been caught yet. It is also really only valid for the day it was issued. In some ways it is a bit like an MOT. All that means is at that point in time the car was roadworthy. What happens between then and the next test is anyones guess.

Too many people put blind faith in CRBs and fail to use their common sense.
 
artyman said:
It also begs the question what harm all this behaviour is doing to the kids. Are they being forced to grow up in a world where every other human being is a perceived threat, by far the majority of the human race would care for a distressed child not leave them in anguish.
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I heard a programme several years ago where it was mentioned that young children were drilled with warnings of "Stranger Danger", yet were too young to know what "stranger" meant.
 
Blimey. Well thanks for the replies, people :eek:

Might just stick to inanimate objects. Less hassle :)
 
I;d do it
I'd ask them
offer them prints if they come out okay and say do they want a parent down there
ffs how is in "inappropriate" to photograph lads skateboarding...the world's gone mad

the only thing is though.....teacher....Mmmm
 
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