ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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It doesn't matter whether or not your photographer is professional. If
you are taking pictures of people in your museum, you must have them
sign a model release. 

It's been a while since my communications law classes, however if I
remember correctly the laws protecting people fall under invasion of
privacy or appropriation and their rights. If you use someone's identity
without their consent to promote a product (or organization) that person
is entitled to a share of the user's profits - that's "Appropriation."
The laws that protect press photos in public places are designed to
allow news crews to capture images in photo or broadcast where news is
happening. So, if your museum was the central point of a disaster or (on
the nicer side) a huge newsworthy event, the news crews don't have to
get releases from all the folks standing behind them waving at their
mom.

PR folks avoid such law suits by requesting a model release or consent
form. When you take the pictures, have a clip board of them ready and
correspond numbers with your shots. 

You can also get lots of good shots by sending forms home with the
registration and health forms of your campers, after school program
kids, workshops, etc... Sticky dots are a great, subtle way to
distinguish who in large education groups are allowed to be
photographed.

Many school districts have a PR person or department who maintains
release forms, so coordinating with a local school is possible too.

Lynn Parrucci
Director of Educational Programs
Philadelphia Zoo



-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tracy Arthur
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Policy for photographing visitors

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

I am seeking advice about photographing visitors at the Science Center
of 
Iowa!  We do NOT use a professional photographer - this would be our
staff 
taking photographs of visitors and using those photos for
internally-created 
promotional pieces.

To other institutions:
What is your policy for photographing both individual visitors and
groups?
   Do you automatically assume consent from everyone inside the
building?
   Do you ask groups to sign a consent form in advance of their visit?
   Does age of the person being photographed make a difference?
   What about at off-site events put on by your institution?

Please advise if you have any thoughts for me on this policy!  Thanks!

Tracy Arthur
Communications Coordinator
Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Dome Theater
[log in to unmask]
515-274-6868 ext. 233
www.sciowa.org

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