Photgraphing a Fitness Class

[langfordcr]

For me, photography is a hobby and I'm very new at it. However, based on photos I've taken that others have seen, I'm sometimes asked if I do photography for hire. To date, I have yet to take anyone up on their offer for a paid shoot. However, someone has approached me to take photos of her Zumba class (she is the instructor) for promo purposes. I'm considering taking the job for practice if nothing else. I'm curious if I need to get written consent from the class members in order to photograph them and/or publish their photos or if it is up to her as the instructor to do so? Is there anything else I should be aware of going into such a job?

Thank in advance for any advice!
Cindy

The consent lies with the individual, not the instructor. You would have to get consent forms from everyone you photograph.

I'd be curious to see how badly people react to getting their picture taken at a fitness class.

I wouldn't sign it frankly, I came to work out... It's not that I think I'm not in shape, I'm not there for that reason, if you want promotional stuff, hire a "model" to model fitness.

~Eric

[langfordcr]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

I'd be curious to see how badly people react to getting their picture taken at a fitness class.

I had the same thought actually!

[NicoleScraps]

I did some promo shots for a yoga instructor a while back. She made an announcement at the beginning of the class telling everyone that I was going to be taking photos for her to use on her website. She asked for anyone to speak up if they had an objection. No one said anything and we have had no problems since. Maybe you could make up a blanket model release with multiple lines for signatures and have each person sign off as they enter the workout room.

[UlpilotSC]

You could always start early or end late, and she could tell the class "if you dont mind being in the picture please stick around, and sign this. If you do mind, you are free to leave." that way she doesnt have to be pushy. She could even offer a discount or free class or something to those that allow themselves to be in the photo.

[OsmosisStudios]

If there is a gym hosting these classes, they could have something to say about it. I know they have here in the past.

[funcrunch]

If the fitness instructor will be using the photos to promote her business, then technically she is the one who needs to have the model releases. It is customary for the photographer to collect and provide these, however.

[pittbug]

I've done a couple of self defense classes and didn't have any problems. It helps if the instructor announces it ahead of time and makes the students sign the release forms during registration. We were upfront about the whole thing and gave the option for people who didn't want to be photographed to place themselves to the side of the class. No one opted for that. I think they were all excited to see the photos of themselves online afterwards.

Originally Posted by pittbug

I've done a couple of self defense classes and didn't have any problems. It helps if the instructor announces it ahead of time and makes the students sign the release forms during registration. We were upfront about the whole thing and gave the option for people who didn't want to be photographed to place themselves to the side of the class. No one opted for that. I think they were all excited to see the photos of themselves online afterwards.

Narcissists.