Photos and Videos

Communications Toolkit

Photos and Videos

Communications toolkit
Guidelines
phone and a camera

 

Photography and video can play a crucial role in conveying messages more effectively than text alone. They really can capture attention and tell a story in their own right.  It's also an opportunity to help those outside your chaplaincy feel like they can connect with those inside your church.  

For those already in your church community, they can be a wonderful way to share, encourage and document chaplaincy life.  They don’t need to be perfect, but there are some simple principles to follow that will greatly enhance their quality and increase the impact they can have.  

Here are some downloadable PDF help sheets. We will be adding to this list shortly:

Communications Tips: Using Photos
Communications Tips: Filming on your mobile phone

Explore these areas below: 

 

Organisation is key

Keep your own photographs in a way that enables you to keep all the relevant information together:

  • Title your photograph
  • Keep a record of who is in it, where it was taken and what is happening
  • Keep a copy of any relevant licences with it
  •  

Keeping organised like this ensures:

  • You can find an image in the future
  • If you are asked about an image, you have the licence to hand
  • Don't keep every photo you've ever taken, just keep those that are your best ones

At the Diocese, we use Flickr as an online library system.  At the time of writing, you can have a free account to store up to 1000 images.  We keep all our settings to Private so that only internal people can view it, and only store our favourite photos in it.  Flickr is great because you can share it with team members and log in the comments when you have used a certain image.  

 

Copyright and images

We know how difficult it can be to find good or new pictures for your websites – we often have the same challenge in the Diocese.

However, please do not be tempted to use images like photos you happen to see in other media, or from other websites or organisations, and put them up on your chaplaincy websites.   

Large organisations actively use agents to monitor, detect and follow-up the use of images under copyright with fines for a single copyright breach often large (exceeding 1000 EUR).

The safest way for a chaplaincy not to risk such punitive action is not to use images under copyright at all.   

 

Using stock images

Whenever you use an image, just make sure you have permission to do so.  Sometimes you can use an image so long as you credit the photographer - so long as you follow the guidelines, there are plenty to choose from (although of course if you take a photo yourself, it's yours!):

Creative Commons

A Church Near You Resources Hub and Digital Downloads

Unsplash

Canva Pro is an excellent resource, which we often use as a Diocese

Flickr has lots of images freee to use under Creative Commons.  If you decide to use one, we recommend:

  • Commenting on the photograph to say where and how you've used it, with a note of thanks

  • Taking a screenshot of the licence related to it and keeping it safe and logged, in case of future queries.

     

 

Important Note:  Given over 80 legal jurisdictions in the Diocese, we’re not able to offer a pan-diocesan, one-size fits approach on copyright issues.  But we hope these essential pointers will help chaplaincies.  We’ll keep this guidance under review, and update it as needed.  Please note that you will need to check the legal position regarding copyright in your legal jurisdiction.  The content of this article is for help and support, and does not constitute Diocese in Europe Board of Finance legal advice to users of this site.

 

Filming and photography in churches – consent and GDPR

Obtaining consent before filming or photographing individuals within a chaplaincy setting is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement. In Europe, individuals have the right to know how their images will be used and for what purposes. As such, clear and transparent communication is essential when seeking permission, and individuals should be made aware of their rights in accordance with GDPR.

GDPR Compliance: The General Data Protection Regulation 2018, has set a robust framework for data protection across the European Union. When it comes to filming and photography in chaplaincies, GDPR compliance is crucial.

The diocese strongly advises chaplaincies to become familiar with and to comply with their local counties laws. Using local law as the primary guidelines. 

However, here are a few considerations:

  1. Purpose: Clearly define the purpose for capturing images within the chaplaincies premises. Whether it's for promotional materials, documentation, or any other purpose, specifying the intended use ensures compliance with GDPR's principle of purpose limitation.

  2. Data: Collect only the data necessary for the specified purpose. Avoid capturing more information than required to protect the privacy of individuals featured in the visuals.

  3. Security: Implement adequate security measures to protect the captured data. Whether stored digitally or in physical form, all images and footage must be safeguarded to prevent unauthorised access.

  4. Data Subject Rights: Respect individuals' rights granted under GDPR, including the right to access, rectify, or erase their personal data. If an individual requests removal of their image, the chaplaincy should comply promptly.

  5. Consent: Maintain a systematic approach to consent management. Keep records of obtained consents, detailing the purpose, date, and method of obtaining consent. Regularly review and update consents as needed.

GDPR compliance in European chaplaincies demands careful attention. By adhering to the principles of informed consent and GDPR, chaplaincies can not only capture the essence of their community but also demonstrate a commitment to respecting the privacy and rights of individuals.

Striking a balance between capturing content and legal responsibility ensures that the capturing stories within Diocese in Europe chaplaincies are shared ethically and responsibly.