Parental Consent for Pictures

[sparklingfaces]

I have been face painting for a while now, and at almost ALL the events I work, there is someone taking TONS of pictures. BUT when I ask the host if they would be so kind as to send me pictures to use, most of the time I dont get any response back.

WHY?

I mean, they found me from my website, so they KNOW that's i'm not some weirdo... but still - no pictures none the less.

I used to take my own pictures, but the hassel of asking each parent and remembering which ones gave me consent SUCKS. Then some of them actually say no or they say they dont feel comfortable as they have not seen my site personally ( guest of client )

And - I dont have any kids myself so I dont have that option either.

ideas? Suggestions?
what do I do? I'm getting sick and tired of looking at my own face.

[Kristal]

I actually LOL'd at your last sentence - because so am I. (Tired of looking at my face, not yours. Yours is lovely!) I've had people comment on the fact that I'm all over my board, and I end up explaining that I've got one neighbour with one kid, and she has 2 cousins, so at the best of times I might have 3 girls to work with, but never any boys, and one of the girls is a wiggler - so I'm usually the only face available.

I've had a couple of people say no for those same reasons, which is fine; privacy and all that - so I'd better not see them on Facebook later with the pic I wanted on there!

This just made me realise that I did balloons at a gig a month ago and the photog said he'd send me pix for SURE - nada.

Free FP at your house/a restaurant etc some night, but only if you can A)do the designs you want, and B)have permission for photos? (And if they reneg, charge them your PPF rates!)

[Sherry]

When you ask permission of parents to take a picture of their child, do you make it a habit of asking permission for every child that sits down?  I've noticed that if I get in the habit of asking each customer that sits in my chair, they come to expect it and will linger and wait for you to take the picture.  I rarely have a parent say no.  But, if I wait for that special photo of a face I haven't taken a picture of yet, I'll have parents say no more often... kind of weird.

Maybe at your next event, take your camera and make yourself ask to take a picture of every single person that sits in your chair.

[sparklingfaces]

i only ask for the ones i actually want a picture of... like I really dont want spider man or batman... but would love that awesome dragon face.
but the kids ends up running away looking for his mom and either not coming back or does the "she said yes" bit.
It might sounds weird but I like the ones that say yes to sign a release... yep - safe than sorry

[ChaCha]

I have made up a form that has this duplicated several times on it:
Shirt Color____________________ Hair Color___________ B/G__________ Design___________________________
Email address________________________________ *Signature___________________________________________
*I authorize EmbellishedFun to photograph me and/or my child and to use the photograph in their print and online marketing.

Copies of this sheet are on a clipboard with date/event noted at top.

My plan is to ask to photograph each person saying "I will take/email you a picture" , and have parent sign it.  (My 13yo son is going to do the pics for me) So, not only will I have pics for my new site. I will have the parents email address to send coupon/flyer to them......and market to them in the future.  Definitely cheaper than purchasing postcards and paying postage.  Also, could email link to page on your site w/photo to them.  Most ppl fwd emails to share....so it would be a viral marketing thing too...

We'll see how it goes........
 

[ChaCha]

Okay, well the form worked and it didnt.  I think it had too much info on it.  We did get about 90% of the ppl to sign and have a photo taken....so, that wasnt an issue.  But, there was too much info on the form.  Im gonna try a new form with the same statement, only once at the top and each parents line is only going to ask for email address and signature.

[Sherry]

Can you post the wording you use on your new form?  I may try to use something like that for advertising sometime.

[ChaCha]

Sherry,  this is what I used this last weekend:
Authorization & Email Form
Date_________________Location__________________________________
*I authorize Embellished Fun! to paint & photograph me and/or my child and to use the photograph in their print & online marketing.
Email address___________________________ *Signature___________________________________________

Of course, the email address and signature line was repeated to the end of the form.  I did a mass bcc email to everyone the next day suggesting everyone go to my site to see pics.  I think it worked out fantastic, and to my surprise only one email (out of about 75) was no good, and on illegible.  Most ppl read/signed as a matter of the process to getting their face painted.  I only had one who specifically did not want their neice photographed (siteing they were not the parent).  There were a few who I think did not get their picture done, but not sure if it was them or my photogropher who was at fault.  I will definitely do this for every fp occasion...plus, I'm building a database to "market" to!

[Sherry]

Great, thanks Charlotte.

[Psalmbook]

People have good intentions, but get busy, forget & just never send the pics. I hang my camera off the back of my directors chair, so I can see it(visual reminder to take pics!!). Have your consent forms handy. My forms also say, "Can I email you about future public events, & occasional send you promotional materials? Do you have a future birthday party or event you'd like me to attend?" They can check those. I also make sure to get phone number, address & email. If I use the photo I email them a link so the can see it on my site.

[Psalmbook]

Oh, I forgot to mention I also have it stated that the name, address, age, etc of child will never be posted with the picture. Pictures will always be cropped so t-shirts will not show child's school, a name tag, etc.

[AMAZINGface]

My children are pretty much grown and my willing daughter isn't always available so I have taken to having face painting open houses!  I make a facebook event when I know the kids are off from school and open my door for an afternoon or evening and invite everyone with children and adults whom I know will be willing subjects!  I've had good responses from that.  This way I get practice, lots of canvasses and because it's gratis and not on my customers time, I can pose them for as many pictures as I want!

Also, I only ask parents of those faces I want a picture of to sign a release.  So far, no one has declined! I can post the wording here but you may also want to add a line at the bottom asking for their email so you can send THEM a picture!  That way it's on them if they want a copy and you can oblige them easily.


....argh.  It's on the harddrive on the downstairs computer.  I'll post it in a little while.

-Daina

[AMAZINGface]

Here you are!

-Daina