Photographers / Photo Uploaders

1. Consent comes first

• Only photographs that have been cleared through this system may be used – on websites, social media, newsletters, presentations, noticeboards or in print.
• Upload every photograph you would like used, and identify each person who can be recognised in it.
• If someone is not yet in the consent register, still name them in your upload. We will ask them (or their parent or guardian) for consent.
• Until a photograph is marked Approved, treat it as Do not use.
• Encourage people to give consent in advance at connect.gci.org.au/media-consent, so their photographs can be cleared straight away.

2. When you are taking photos

• Let people know that photos are being taken – for example, with an announcement or a sign at the entrance.
• Respect anyone who asks not to be photographed, and avoid capturing them in group shots where you can.
• Be discreet during worship, prayer and communion. Avoid flash and avoid moving around in ways that distract.
• Do not photograph people who are distressed, unwell or receiving prayer or pastoral care, unless they have clearly agreed.
• Never take photos or recordings in toilets, change rooms, bathrooms or sleeping areas.

3. Children and young people

• Never photograph a child who is upset, in a state of undress, or in a way that could compromise their dignity or safety.
• Children must be appropriately dressed. Take extra care at swimming and water play activities.
• Favour group and activity shots over close-ups of an individual child.
• Never record a child’s surname, school, address or other identifying details alongside a photograph, other than in this system.
• Contact parents or guardians, not children, about photographs. Do not ask a child for their contact details or connect with them on social media.
• Some children have restrictions recorded for their safety. This is why every child must be identified and cleared before any photograph is used.

4. Storing and sharing photos

• Use a camera or phone that you control, and upload your photos promptly after the event.
• Once your photos have been uploaded, delete them from your phone, camera, computer and personal cloud storage.
• Do not post, send, print or share photographs yourself – including in private messages, group chats or on your own social media.
• Approved photographs are kept in GCI Australia’s photo library. If you need a copy, contact we*******@*****rg.au.
• Basic cropping and colour correction are fine. Do not edit a photograph in a way that misrepresents a person or an event.

5. Your account and the consent register

• The consent register contains personal information, including about children. Use it only to identify the people in photographs you upload.
• Do not copy, screenshot, share or keep any information from the register.
• Keep your login details private and do not let anyone else use your account.
• GCI Australia may suspend or remove an account at any time, for example if these guidelines are not followed.

6. If something goes wrong

• If a photograph has been shared or published by mistake, or someone asks for a photograph to be removed, contact we*******@*****rg.au straight away.
• If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, speak to your pastor or contact GCI Australia at we*******@*****rg.au. If a child is in immediate danger, call 000.