| Policies and Guidelines |
Maine 4-H Program |
A.1.9 Use of Photographs of People
Whenever 4-H staff or volunteers use photographs of people in a publication (including newspaper articles) or a web page, we must obtain a signed release from the people in the pictures. If the faces can't be recognized, because they are too small, turned away from the camera, or blocked by another person or object, no release is necessary. If the person is recognizable, a signed release is necessary.
Do not rely on a verbal okay to use a photo, particularly if the picture is of a child. Get written permission from the child's legal guardian. You can use the University of Maine's release form Word PDF.
Many counties ask parents to sign the Release Form when members enroll at the beginning of the 4-H year. This release form would be valid for one year. Images for which you have a signed release may be used at any time. Otherwise, the most convenient time to get a release signed is when participants sign up for an event or program or at a preplanned photo shoot, before any pictures are taken. Make it a practice. Keep all your signed release forms in an easy-to-find file.
If you’re submitting a picture of a 4-H member to the media, you must have a signed release form.
Do not put photos of children on web pages that identify the names or locations of the children, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A SIGNED RELEASE FORM FROM THE CHILD'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN. For example, do not use pictures of children standing in front of their homes, schools, well-known landmarks, or places with obvious signs posted nearby. Don't include captions beneath your photos that include the child's last name, home address or any address that locates the child. This simple practice will help ensure the safety of the children who participate in our programs. It's unfortunate we have to take precautions of this nature, but that's the reality. Internet predators are real. Please do all you can to protect the anonymity of our 4-H members and their families.
06/05/02