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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to be annoyed about photos taken w/o consent or knowledge?

35 replies

Dulcimena · 10/05/2017 14:49

Went to my usual Tuesday night yoga class yesterday - great class, great teacher. It's held at a local leisure centre.

At the end of the class when everyone was lying still in savasana, I heard some movement, opened my eyes and saw the teacher taking photos of the class. She has never mentioned doing this before and I've never noticed it happening. At the end of class I spoke to her to make sure I hadn't been included and she said it was only for her Facebook page and she made sure that no faces were included. She showed me the pictures to make sure I wasn't in them (I wasn't) but people were identifiable.

I don't want to make a fuss unnecessarily but she didn't seem to think that taking photos of people without their consent or even knowledge was a bit off. Given that there are people who are actually asleep during that section (there are audible snores) it feels like a huge breach of trust. I don't think anyone else was even aware that the pictures had been taken. I like the class and I like the teacher but I'm wondering if should mention it to the leisure centre. What would you do?

OP posts:
WatchingFromTheWings · 10/05/2017 14:51

If she works for the leisure center I'd report it to them. Infact I'd have a word even if not. That's out of order.....I'd feel the same as you.

Original poster
Dulcimena · 10/05/2017 14:56

Yeah, I think I will. I do like her but it doesn't sit right with me.

OP posts:
MissBax · 10/05/2017 14:56

I'd just say to her casually that you think it might be good to just let people know first. Even make a joke of it "oh I know X wouldn't be happy if she knew you'd taken that, she hates having her picture taken", or something?

delilahbucket · 10/05/2017 14:57

Maybe point out that taking photos and publishing them without consent may lose her business not gain it. My pilates instructor sometimes takes photos or films us, but she always asks the class first.

BuckinghamLass · 10/05/2017 15:06

If you like her and her class I'd say something directly. If she still doesn't take any notice then speak to the leisure centre.

I had a similar situation at the gym where a staff member was taking pictures for Instagram. I'm not very Instagrammy, especially when red faced and sweating. I had a quick word and he was cool about it.

KoalaDownUnder · 10/05/2017 15:11

I am pretty private about my photo being put on the internet, and I think that's my prerogative.

I would mention it to the leisure centre management.

Original poster
Dulcimena · 10/05/2017 15:14

Just found the pic on her instagram, it does show faces! Lots of likes though, think some are other yoga teachers though, rather than people actually in the photo... Urgh I don't want to be "that person".

OP posts:
TheBogQueen · 10/05/2017 15:18

Yesterday I was cycling on a shared pedestrian/cycle walkway and a woman coming towards me took a photograph of my face in a surly aggressive mannerConfused

I'm not sure why and it only hit me a couple of minutes later as I cycled on, what she had done.

I'm nut sure whether she thought I was cycling illegally - it was bloody intimidating thigh. And unwarranted.

Sonders · 10/05/2017 15:23

Definitely be that person! That kinda thing drives me mad - your face/likeness is covered by the DPA and belongs to you, the teacher needs express permission to use it, especially for marketing (with social falls under) purposes.

Can you have a friendly word saying you were having a chat about it with friends and someone mentioned she could get in trouble for doing this. It's best for her to get a release signed by everyone in the pics, even if it's just a doc that says you give consent for pics to be used in x y and z circumstances.

Just frame it as being helpful because you love her class and don't want her to be penalised

Original poster
Dulcimena · 10/05/2017 15:26

You're right and that's a good way of putting it, Sonders. I like that, thanks.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 10/05/2017 15:26

Be that person. I hate this kind of thing.

KoalaDownUnder · 10/05/2017 15:28

Yeah, I'd be very comfortable being that person, too.

Sonders · 10/05/2017 15:30

No worries ;) A common way to do it would be to mention it at the beginning of class at sign-in if she has a register. Just add an extra column next to the name that people can tick if they are happy for her to take and use any pictures

Maudlinmaud · 10/05/2017 15:30

I have been that person op. It's uncomfortable but sometimes you have to speak out. A beauty therapist took a pic of my eyebrows without my consent and was going to share it on her fb page. Wtf? Just no. Some people might not object, I did and she looked at me like I had two heads for objecting. I didn't go back.

Original poster
Dulcimena · 10/05/2017 15:32

I'd feel much more comfortable being that person if I was actually in shot tbh.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dulcimena · 10/05/2017 15:34

That's the thing Maud, her classes are great so I do want to go back! There's always a waiting list too, she's very popular.

OP posts:
Funnyfarmer · 10/05/2017 15:40

My gym instructor takes pics and videos.
I've never been asked for permission don't know about anyone else. I thought it a bit off at 1st. Don't think anyone eles minds.
It doesn't really bother me. But I do think it's wrong to do so without permission.

Maudlinmaud · 10/05/2017 15:40

I think Sonders advice is great, I would follow it, just incase you are in the shot in future.

WrittenandGrown · 10/05/2017 15:43

I think for me it's that she didn't ask the class but also feels more u comfortable as people were relaxing with eyes closed. Seems like she knows people wouldn't agree so took the photos when they wouldn't see.

badgersnotincluded · 10/05/2017 15:49

I don't think it's right. How does she know that one of the class isn't hiding from an abusive ex-partner or something similar? It's a long shot but stranger things have happened. I remember seeing a photo of my neighbours in a Sunday magazine article, taken without their knowledge. It didn't name them but the location was very clear. They joked it was a good thing they weren't in the Witness Protection Program.

9unctured6icycle · 10/05/2017 15:50

My first thought was, if photos of a yoga class aren't showing faces they must be showing arses!
Ending up on social media in someone else's photos is a pet hate of mine. I asked a friend to take down photos of my house (w visible address) from his fb. A friend of mine took photos at my wedding and put them on her fb ffs.
I have a stalky nc side of my family that I don't want to track me via social media which I understand is an unusual issue, but really, I feel like it should be up to me if images of private details are online or not.

Anditstartsagain · 10/05/2017 15:53

I'm quite relaxed with photos and social media but I would hate to think someone was taking my photo for facebook without me knowing. If she said i would be fine but to have a photo of me suddenly pop up would be horrible.

TheBogQueen · 10/05/2017 16:03

I don't think your likeness does fall under data protection ordinarily- but for marketing purposes w always get signed consent as they images may be used for more than one campaign.

Usually photography is more of a copyright issue - using someone else's photograph - rather than the use of someone's image.

DJBaggySmalls · 10/05/2017 16:08

If she is using them for business purposes, not personal, then she has to get a signed consent form.

ThePants999 · 10/05/2017 16:21

I seem to be in a minority here, but I've never understood why people get so weird about photos. Anyone who ever sees you has a photo in their brain - yes, it degrades faster over time than a real photo, but is that difference really significant? How exactly does it affect you that someone who saw you has a record of it?