Open Forum

Does your institution post signs - either in the galleries or during special events, including outdoor events - that states something to the effect that:
We use a standard agency likeness release form that we ask individuals to sign when working on photography projects involving the public and non-staff but are interested in pursuing options for public relations photography at large special events with hundreds of visitors where the use of individual signed release forms isn't practical.

If your institution posts such signage, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to share your wording with me, where such signs are posted, and when. Thank you!

Steve

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Steve Floray, Curator of Collections
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Museum and Archives
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-7285
steve_floray@fws.gov
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We are exploring this in our museum, but do not have a policy yet. However, the St. Louis Art Museum Photo Release on their website is worth a look-see. 

Karol
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
Director of Marketing and Communications

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Karol Stewart
Director Marketing and Communications
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis - Affiliated with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
St. Louis MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2022 09:37 AM
From: Steve Floray
Subject: Signage that alerts visitors that they may be photographed

Does your institution post signs - either in the galleries or during special events, including outdoor events - that states something to the effect that:

"By entering this facility, you are consenting to have your photograph taken for public relations and educational uses…"

We use a standard agency likeness release form that we ask individuals to sign when working on photography projects involving the public and non-staff but are interested in pursuing options for public relations photography at large special events with hundreds of visitors where the use of individual signed release forms isn't practical.

If your institution posts such signage, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to share your wording with me, where such signs are posted, and when. Thank you!

Steve

------------------------------
Steve Floray, Curator of Collections
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Museum and Archives
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-7285
steve_floray@fws.gov
------------------------------

If you don't have an attorney on your board, you should be shopping for an attorney for your board.

Ask a real-life attorney who has a vested stake (board seat or that you are paying) for advice on legal advice.

As a videographer and photographer of many years, I don't put much stake in the sign, but I put one up anyway and take a photo of it in position for legal defense.  What it says, in my opinion as not an attorney and not your attorney, doesn't really matter, and I think they come off better if they're written personably and not in legal-ese.

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Mike Watson
San Diego History Center
San Diego CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2022 09:37 AM
From: Steve Floray
Subject: Signage that alerts visitors that they may be photographed

Does your institution post signs - either in the galleries or during special events, including outdoor events - that states something to the effect that:

"By entering this facility, you are consenting to have your photograph taken for public relations and educational uses…"

We use a standard agency likeness release form that we ask individuals to sign when working on photography projects involving the public and non-staff but are interested in pursuing options for public relations photography at large special events with hundreds of visitors where the use of individual signed release forms isn't practical.

If your institution posts such signage, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to share your wording with me, where such signs are posted, and when. Thank you!

Steve

------------------------------
Steve Floray, Curator of Collections
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Museum and Archives
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-7285
steve_floray@fws.gov
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12/12/2022 2:52:00 PM
From: Mike Watson
Subject: RE: Signage that alerts visitors that they may be photographed

If you don't have an attorney on your board, you should be shopping for an attorney for your board.

Ask a real-life attorney who has a vested stake (board seat or that you are paying) for advice on legal advice.

As a videographer and photographer of many years, I don't put much stake in the sign, but I put one up anyway and take a photo of it in position for legal defense.  What it says, in my opinion as not an attorney and not your attorney, doesn't really matter, and I think they come off better if they're written personably and not in legal-ese.

------------------------------
Mike Watson
San Diego History Center
San Diego CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2022 09:37 AM
From: Steve Floray
Subject: Signage that alerts visitors that they may be photographed

Does your institution post signs - either in the galleries or during special events, including outdoor events - that states something to the effect that:

"By entering this facility, you are consenting to have your photograph taken for public relations and educational uses…"

We use a standard agency likeness release form that we ask individuals to sign when working on photography projects involving the public and non-staff but are interested in pursuing options for public relations photography at large special events with hundreds of visitors where the use of individual signed release forms isn't practical.

If your institution posts such signage, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to share your wording with me, where such signs are posted, and when. Thank you!

Steve

------------------------------
Steve Floray, Curator of Collections
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Museum and Archives
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-7285
steve_floray@fws.gov
------------------------------

This depends on state law, so it will vary. In our state, there is a statute that requires written consent from the commercial use of an individual's persona. The warning sign will address the right of privacy, but not the right of publicity.

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Wesley Newhouse JD
General Counsel
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2022 09:37 AM
From: Steve Floray
Subject: Signage that alerts visitors that they may be photographed

Does your institution post signs - either in the galleries or during special events, including outdoor events - that states something to the effect that:

"By entering this facility, you are consenting to have your photograph taken for public relations and educational uses…"

We use a standard agency likeness release form that we ask individuals to sign when working on photography projects involving the public and non-staff but are interested in pursuing options for public relations photography at large special events with hundreds of visitors where the use of individual signed release forms isn't practical.

If your institution posts such signage, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to share your wording with me, where such signs are posted, and when. Thank you!

Steve

------------------------------
Steve Floray, Curator of Collections
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Museum and Archives
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-7285
steve_floray@fws.gov
------------------------------

Following up on Mike's comments, be sure to check the laws in your state.
In some states, if you are attending a public event where there are photographs being taken, there is implied consent by virtue of attendance.

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Deborah Bigness
Manager of Site Operations, Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark
Lubbock, TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2022 09:37 AM
From: Steve Floray
Subject: Signage that alerts visitors that they may be photographed

Does your institution post signs - either in the galleries or during special events, including outdoor events - that states something to the effect that:

"By entering this facility, you are consenting to have your photograph taken for public relations and educational uses…"

We use a standard agency likeness release form that we ask individuals to sign when working on photography projects involving the public and non-staff but are interested in pursuing options for public relations photography at large special events with hundreds of visitors where the use of individual signed release forms isn't practical.

If your institution posts such signage, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to share your wording with me, where such signs are posted, and when. Thank you!

Steve

------------------------------
Steve Floray, Curator of Collections
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Museum and Archives
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-7285
steve_floray@fws.gov
------------------------------