Consent

I read an article recently regarding children discovering how much information about them is online, usually courtesy of parents posting on social media. Most posts involve photographs, and as the article observes, the images often start before the child is even born. The children have given no consent to have their pictures shared. The adults make the assumption that consent is given, and post away.

The article is particularly timely, as I have been contemplating leaving one of the larger social media platforms. I joined originally with a view to sharing photographs with friends and relatives who don’t live nearby. I do share a lot of photographs of our son. I’m careful not to post anything too personal, but I still question how he would feel if he came across the pictures. As his mother, I’m assuming consent on his behalf.

consent, Emma Lord Photography, reading, child photography, baby
On some platforms, I keep our son’s face hidden

Photographers such as Anne Geddes have iconic styles, which may or may not appeal, but the work is deeply personal. I wonder how the babies will feel in later life seeing the pictures which were shared of them. I’m not keen on people sharing photos of me, our son, or any of our companion animals without my consent. But do I actually have the right to give consent on behalf of any of these family members? Why is there such a need to share online? However ‘secure’ we feel our profiles are, once on the internet, nothing is ever truly hidden.

As a photographer, I ask customers to complete model release forms if (and only if) they consent to me sharing the results of photoshoots online. For companion animals, or under 18s, the form is signed by an adult.

consent, Emma Lord Photography, model release form
Model release form (adult)

Photographs which have consent forms are used for marketing, as most potential customers look online for products and services. I don’t give any personal details about the subjects of pictures, unless adding context. Such as a recent post about a charity cycle ride.

Whatever my social media future, I should keep more hard copies of pictures. As observed in this post, technological advances mean that many of today’s photographs may, in time, be lost. While I don’t want our son to find himself featured across social media, neither do I want him to lose any record of his time as a child. In hard copy, we have greater control over how pictures are shared. If the photographs sit hidden in an album somewhere, I’d rather that, than have them cascading into distant reaches of life online.

As a parent, I have a responsibility to care for and protect our boy. Assuming consent to publish his image on social media arguably breaks a bond of trust between us. I’m creating a digital footprint for him over which he has no control. While it’s cheering to feel the internet love from friends and acquaintances, to see the raised thumbs, smiley faces, and hearts, and to read the comments, perhaps it’s time to give consent on his behalf to stop. Time to say “enough”.

consent, Emma Lord Photography, reading, child photography, baby
Enough