Purpose
To promote a safe and positive environment for all athletes, it is important to follow clear, proactive guidelines around capturing and using images of youth in sports settings. While most photography is appropriate and conducted with good intentions, establishing preventative safeguards helps minimize the risk of misuse and promotes responsible practices from the outset.
Publication of Photographs of Minors
The publication of any image or video of a swimmer under the age of 18, along with any personally identifying information (such as their name), including posting on bulletin boards, articles, video recordings, social media platforms, or live‑streamed content related to swimming activities, may only occur with prior consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Right to Refuse Photography
Parents or guardians have the right to refuse consent for their children to be photographed or recorded on video. Exercising this right may not be used as a basis to limit or deny a child’s participation in USA Swimming activities. Note that in some instances by simply entering a meet, you may be giving consent to photographs, videos or livestreaming of your athlete. Accordingly, any photo or video that may be shared publicly, whether taken by a club member or an official photographer, must have written parental consent prior to publication or display.
In the case where an official photographer is present, parents should be made aware. If photos are to be published anywhere, parents and legal guardians should be given the opportunity to withhold their consent. Their right to do so should be specifically drawn to their attention.
All photographs must observe generally accepted standards of decency, including but not limited to:
- Action shots should be a celebration of the sporting activity and not a sexualized image in a sporting context.
- Action shots should not be taken or retained where the photograph reveals a torn or displaced swimsuit.
- Photographs should not be taken from directly behind swimming blocks when athletes are in the starting position, nor exhibit an athlete climbing out of the swimming pool.
- Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in locker rooms, bathrooms, and any other area where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Consent & License
For my participation in activities to be conducted by West Shore YMCA, and collaborating third
parties, I consent, now and for all time, to the making, reproduction, editing, broadcasting or
rebroadcasting of:
• Video film or footage of me
• Sound track recordings of me
• Photo reproductions of me
• Any narrative account of my experience
My consent includes a perpetual license to the Y and collaborating third-parties for the use of the
above materials for publication, display, sale or exhibition in promotions, advertising, education and
commercial uses. Use includes reproductions in any form and media currently existing or later
conceived, adaptations and/or revisions, throughout the world in perpetuity.
I understand and agree there may be no additional compensation for this license, and I will not make
any claim for payment of any kind from the Y or collaborating third-parties. I may, or may not be,
identified in such licensed uses; however, my name will not be used to endorse any particular
products or services.
Ownership, Confidentiality, and Shared Use.
With respect to any of the above uses, I further agree:
• All works shall belong to the West Shore YMCA;
• The Y has no duty of confidentiality regarding any licensed uses;
• West Shore YMCA, shall exclusively own all known or later existing rights to the uses
throughout the world;
• The Y and collaborating third-parties may use any video film, footage, sound track recordings
and photo reproductions of me and/or my narrative account for any purpose without additional
compensation to me.
Release from Liability
I agree that my consent is irrevocable. I hereby release and discharge The Y and collaborating third parties, from any and all claims, actions, lawsuits or demands of any kind arising out of my consent, license grants, uses, or the shared uses of any works or materials referenced herein.
Parents have a right to refuse agreement to their child being photographed. Please email to info@wsyswim.org for this agreement