Taking photographs

The Diocese of Liverpool acknowledges that good photography can project strong messages about our work. For key corporate events we will book a professional photographer. However this is not always possible.

This section gives guidance on

• taking winning photography
• photographing children

The Diocese of Liverpool discourages the use of clip art or image bank images. These are often clichéd and used by many organisations and very often don’t properly illustrate the stories or points they accompany. We want good original photography that helps sum up our vision and values.

Remember if you are using someone else's photograph it will be subject to copyright and you will need to make sure you have permission to use it.

This applies to photographs taken from the internet. A church has recently been pursued by the Getty Picture Library when they used an image without Getty's consent. Always make sure you have copyright permission - even if you have to pay a fee for it. Alternatively take the picture yourself.

See the Guardian website for the full story

Taking winning photography

We want good photographs to be used 

• In newsletters, leaflets and posters
• To accompany press stories
• For websites

Good photography can help tell a story better than words. Here are some basic hints to help you get the photos you want.

• Think about the message you want your photo to give. Does it reflect the story you want to tell? If you are looking to promote something for famillies then try to use photos of famillies.
• If you want to reflect your church don't just use photo's of buildings. The church architecture may be great to feature but we also want to show the church as a living place of worship.
• Take photos that portray all apsects of the church - from worship, the groups you support, any community projects. Use people of all ages.
• Think about how you frame the shot. Don’t try to get everything in. sometimes focussing on details can be just as, if not more, effective.
• Make sure that nothing unwanted gets in the way – a car mirror, your shadow, a camera strap.
• Think about the light and any reflections and shadows that may interfere with the photograph
• IF you are using a digital camera and want the photot be professionally printed remember the picture size needs to at least 330 dots per inch (dpi)

For more hints about taking photography then the BBC have some good tips here. www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2315963

Photographing children

We have to take extra care when photographing and using photographs of children. The Diocese of Liverpool aims to take a sensible approach to ensuring the safety of children and enabling us to use their photography.

If you are planning an event where you might want to take or use images of children or young people you must get written permission, before the event where possible, but during it at the very least.

Always specify clearly where you expect the photographs will be used, how they will be stored and who has access to them. It is not enough to assume a parent will give us blanket permission to have photographs taken.

Other points to remember

• Always try to print group shots rather than individual shots
• Don’t print any personal details with the photo that may help someone identify the individual child – for example their name, age, likes, dislikes, any address details (however brief)

Help and support

If you need any help or support for dealing with the media then contact

Stuart Haynes
Media Manager

0151 705 2150

stuart.haynes@liverpool.anglican.org