Do you need release form to publish photos in a newsletter?

Question

I'm starting a blog about public schools and will take pics of classrooms, etc. What are the rules? Thanks.

Answer 1

fhotoace is correct.

Are your students minor? That might be the reason?

I am a school nurse, (at a small university) and do take photos for the school (for yearbook, etc.) They do not allow outside photographers to come on campus and take photos of the students as I am aware of. The students can take photos of themselves and their friends, espcially during events, etc., without any problems.

I am not sure why, as these are not children (they are all over 18 except a few who still 16 or 17) but we're a closed campus (no outside guests can come on campus without a pass) on top of a mountain in LA.

I look at last year's photos in the yearbook and they were all taken by students. No outside photographers (except the headshots) were used at all.

Answer 2

I know a school district where the parents successfully sued the district for putting photos of their kids on their web site. Better to get releases.