Policies on Using Images of Congregants

[rjwalker]

I'm wondering what folks think about, and what sorts of policies the churches of folks here have on using images of people in the congregation in "published" church materials: e.g., web pages, on-line directories, on-line photo sharing sites, web-casts, broadcasts, etc.

I used to work at a church with capability of IMAG, but we rarely used it - especially to show people in the congregation, in large part because the pastor felt that worship, even joyous demonstrative worship, is essentially private.

So... thoughts?

[rcourtney]

I think there should be a strict policy concerning youth. (Parental permission for print or broadcast just like public schools have in place).

Reverse angle shots of the congregation has been in debate before. We do show
people asking questions during congregational meetings. (new building or funding
of programs)

In general, anyone viewing on closed circuit or cable access should feel like you
are attending in person. I don't look behind me to see the persons reaction to a
sermon. So we don't show individuals. We do show wide shots of people
praising by waiving arms, etc.