Photographing Dancers

[Jgrear22]

Hello,

I just arranged a deal to be the exclusive photographer of a dance group. Many of the dancers are minors. Do I need any special permission to photograph these events aside from the initial contract? This is the first time I'm doing something of this magnitude. I'll appreciate any advice.

[oldwolf]

To be on the safe side, I'd get the parents to sign a release.

[Eastree]

Not knowing the laws in Pennsylvania or how your photographs will ultimately be used, it's hard to give an answer.

The contract is to the head of the dance group; it should be that person's responsibility to get parents' permission to publish the photos in pamphlets, advertisements, etc. If they are simply being used for editorial purposes (such as within a book about the group), that becomes a bit of a gray area.

If you wish to be able to use the images in your own portfolio, it should be fine as long as terms for that exist in the contract.

However, if you wish to use the images to advertise your photography, then you definitnely need that in the contract, either with terms that the person to whom you are contracted will get (or has gotten) releases for use outside of the dance group (and still you may still need copies of the releases), or individual signed releases of the parents for each child.

But since this is a work for hire, more responsibility of the usage of the photos lies on the shoulders of the head(s) of the dance group.

[Jim Poor]

Using images in your portfolio, and using images to advertise your photography are the SAME thing, so careful there.

I'd also argue that this is NOT work for hire unless you messed up and made it that.

You don't need releases or permission to photograph the dancers. You don't need releases or permission to sell the photos as prints to the the dancers, their families or anyone else for that matter.

You need releases if a company decides to use the photos in a an ad campaign. Technically, the company needs the releases, but you still would be the one they would get them from.

Now, it might be nice to offer "if you don't want to be photographed, let me know," but as long as you have the permission of the one responsible for the show, competition, whatever, you're pretty much free and clear.

[Jgrear22]

Thanks everyone. This is so useful! Nothing has been signed so I'll be careful when we next meet.