I am a volunteer at a small aviation museum, recently one of our visitors asked if he could post some pictures of his children sitting in an aircraft cockpit on our website. At present the website does not have a "Gallery" page and the images would have to be posted by the webmaster. Should the museum ask for release forms even though the images were taken by the parent/legal guardian, and has a verbal approval to post them?
Schools nowadays have to ask parents for permissions to publish photos of their children on the school's website or newsletters. It is possible that if the parent is happy for the school to publish the photos of their kids in the website and newsletters, and they are happy to sign the paperwork giving the school permissions, then is it likely that the parent would be happy for the photo of the kids sitting in an aircraft cockpit to be published on your website, but expected to sign forms
out of habit, or assumed that you would need their permissions like the schools does.
I would get a release just for general protection - in our current legal climate you never know what might happen, especially with images of children on a web site. As two examples, how do you know that the person is the legal guardian (could he be divorced and not have the right to allow this posting)? And, what happens if the other parent files a complaint with the museum against the posting?
That is discrimination. Automatically assuming and stereotyping that a divorced father may not be the legal guardian, favouring the woman over than of the man. Beside, if he does not have the rights, why would he sign forms? You want to do something you're not supposed to do, you don't leave incriminating paperwork.
Why is the parent asking you to post his pictures of his children on your web site? If the museum initiated the request to post these pictures, maybe as a prize for a comeptition to promote the museum, hosting pictures of the kids on the web site would make more sense. But, why would a parent ask you to post his pictures on your web site? It would make more sense for him to post them on his own web site.
and
Thanks for the replies. I probably didn't make myself completely clear in the OP, my issue is not so much with the legalities of posting the picture but of public perception. Your guess is as good as mine, it did seem slightly odd to me.
@Pag
Does the museum you work for, sometimes take donations or any other support? Sometimes some people wants to let the museum have their loose change to help keep the museum going. Sometimes some would want to give you free adverting by telling other people how good your museum is. Writing a positive review about it.
It would be good publicity for the museum, to have the photo on their website, to encourage more families to come and visit. Maybe the parent is so pleased with the experience so much that the parent wants you to have the photo for your website, to show other families that they had a great time in the museum you work for.
Remember:
A picture is worth a thousand words. What better way to give you a free photo of their kids enjoying a good time, than struggling to write a good review?
Otherwise, if the museum wants a similar photo for their website, the museum may as well waste money paying for young models and paying for a professional photographer, just to get more adverting.