Use of photograph for promoting a community event: feel uneasy

[Masie24]

Two years ago, photos were taken of a community that I was involved in organising. We're putting on a similar event this year. I see that the flyer/poster design includes one of the original photos. People could recognise themselves/be recognised. I think that was an error - another image should have been submitted to the designer.

Would using it be a breach of copyright/infringe privacy? The flyers will be widely distributed and posters appear in public place. I'm uncomfortable about using it and want to go back to the designer but colleagues have said otherwise as the image is so striking.

Please advise if you can!

Did the people in the photo consent to this? If not I think you need to change the photo. People should be able to go about their daily life without having to worry about potential photos taken of them being used in public.

If you didn’t get permission to use the photo you might find yourself in trouble. At work we have to make sure we have signed model release forms for everyone appearing in any photo. If you have the relevant paperwork then it’s fine.

Generally if the photographs are taken in a public place and you have the photographers permission to use them, then you are ok. Ethically or morally there might be an issue if it’s a sensitive event - adoption meet up/ swingers social. Is it something people might be embarrassed by?

Thank you - I thought as much. I'll stop the design in its tracks and advise my colleagues accordingly. I was uneasy - so thanks for confirming.

More likely to risk a breech of gdpr. Did they sign image release forms at the time? Ideally you need permission from those shown, and parents of any children, although if it was taken in public and the purpose clear it is probably fine. Maybe suggest that this year forms are signed and the length of time an image will be kept and its use in future made clear ie. Kept for up to 2 years for purpose of promoting this event. All previous photos and details should then be deleted.

Sportsnight - I think the photographer was a colleague so permissin would be sought but I'm still a little concerned about using the photo - there are kids in it.

Some events have a line on their flyers/poster/entrance etc to say that photos will be taken at the event for publicity purposes. Worth looking into for the next event to use (9”or to see if you said anything like that before).