Taking photos and videos in sport
Before taking any photos or videos, think about whether you should be doing so. Some people prefer not to have their photo or video taken and may not have given consent.
If you are following your policies and procedures, have established the purpose behind taking the photos or film and have gained consent, you should also consider:
- what device will be used and how it stores data
- who will be taking the photos or filming and what training they have had
- whether you have a robust contracts or agreements in place with commissioned photographers, videographers or marketing agencies
- whether members of the public will be in any public spaces
- if spectators or other participants, parents and carers will take photos or film
Which devices to use to take photos or videos
You should only use devices and equipment which belongs to your sport, club, activity or organisation. Avoid using any personal equipment to take photos and videos of children. The organisation device should be set up in line with your policies and procedures to safely store data.
Taking images or videos at sport events or activities
If you’re organising an event and activity and want to capture the action, consider the following for:
Large scale events or activities
It's not always practical or possible to get consent for every young person taking part. In these circumstances, organisers should make all participants, parents and carers aware that images will be taken, and what they will be used for, and give them the opportunity to give consent or opt out.
You can do this when people register for the event, you can add a line explaining it to tickets for the event, and should always publicise it with signs at the event itself.
Large events are more likely to use an official photographer or filming service. The organiser should make sure that these individuals follow your organisation's contracting process.
Open event or sites
If your event is taking place in public space, members of the public are entitled to take photos in public areas regardless of any organised events or activities which may be taking place. Organisers have no right to impose any restrictions on other members of the public accessing or using the same public spaces.
You may also accidently take photos which have members of the public in them, including children. Make sure you have event signs clearly displayed so everyone knows photography or filming is taking place.
Read our events held in public parks and spaces guidance.
Elite level events and competitions
These events are more likely to take place in a public arena and in some cases to have a public profile. Organisers must have the athletes, parent or carers' consent for images being taken and any information that will be published alongside them.
Ground rules for interviews, and for filming and photo sessions should be agreed with the athlete, parents or carers, and media representatives. Sports organisations should help to manage these issues as part of their overall support of elite athletes’ welfare.
For further information see our safeguarding elite and talented athlete guidance.
Who should take photos or videos for your sport or activity?
Only people authorised by your organisation, who have an appropriate reason for doing so and have received appropriate training, can take photos or videos. This could include a member of staff within your sport or activity.
Professional photographer or filming organisations
If you are considering using a professional photographer or filming service, you should set out the following as part of your contracting process:
- agree who is informing children and parents or carers
- seek consent from children and parents for taking and publishing films or photos
- issue the photographer with identification to be worn at all times
- provide a clear brief to the photographer about appropriate image content and their behaviour
- agree who will own the images, who will have access to them, how they will be accessed and for how long they’ll be retained and used for
- set out areas where no filming or photography should take place (toilets, changing areas, first aid areas)
- inform the photographer how to identify children who don't have consent
- don’t allow unsupervised or one-to-one access to children and young people
Parents, carers and spectators taking photos and videos
If parents, carers and spectators wish to take photos, videos or livestream, make sure you have a photography and filming policy statement which is shared before any events. This policy will outline your sport or activities rules around taking photos, videos or livestreams and help to prevent people from misusing or sharing images and videos without consent.
Promote safe use photography and filming
Proactively promote guidance about those specific areas where photography is and is not permitted, such as toilets and changing rooms.
See our template photograph and filming policy and codes of conduct.
