Child Protection Policy

More important and serious stuff here. We understand how important it is to make sure your child gets the best protection online possible. And at the same time, we want to build this into a reputable home business which meets up to the UK standards. So this policy and the forms are necessary.  It is not intended to be a hassle and too bureaucratic, we just want to make sure that both you and us are protected. My intent for photography children is pure and it is my passion. However, to view them online and to pass soft copies as well as allow me to use some of them as part of my professional portfolio, we’d like you to just spend a moment reading and signing the release forms before the photo shoot. I am sure both you and I will feel better knowing that we have put a lot of thought into these matters.

Verma Vitales Photography legally operates under the company Raw Borneo Sdn. Bhd. But I will continue to use my name as a brand.

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Raw Borneo Sdn Berhad is owned and run by a husband and wife team. Verma Vitales-Jones concentrates on the child and family photography while her husband Ian Jones is primarily interested in underwater photography, wildlife, travel and landscapes although he is often co-opted to help with child shoots or look after their daughter while Verma takes photos.

For your information this is how we will run our business in order to safeguard your children.

1. No contact details of Children shall be stored (e.g. email) only the contact details of Parents / Guardians. (Note where the address given is a family home or family email the address may be the same best to have a separate email). – It is important to protect children from the risk of inappropriate contact.
2. Before a photo assignment involving children under the age of 18 may be undertaken the parent / guardian must sign a waiver and photo release.
3. A parent or guardian must be present at all times during any photoshoot and that said person is liable and responsible for the well being of the child. While the wellbeing of the children is the most important consideration of Raw Borneo neither Raw Borneo nor its staff accept any liability or responsible for injury to the child, parent / guardian or for loss or damage to their possessions however caused. If commissioning an assignment from Raw Borneo then you agree to this condition.
4. While we obviously care for the child(ren)’s welfare when photographing we are mentally and physically task loaded and distracted. The parent/ guardian is ALWAYS responsible for their charge.
5. Contact details shall not be given out to anyone outside Raw Borneo . Should a third party wish to contact a client (e.g. a model agency has seen a photograph of your child) they must contact us and we will try to contact you.
6. All information provided to us shall be considered strictly confidential.
7. Photographs will be published on the Raw Borneo or VermaVitales site, the site will have a section for your photographs as this is part of our photography package to deliver you photos. This service allows you to refer family and friends to see the photos. As a condition of photography you waive the right to control of the images and right to publish (its part of the waiver to allow us to photograph your child) HOWEVER as a courtesy you can request that your area be password protected or if you prefer you can have your family area removed along with the photos. Note – for Raw Borneo publicity purposes a photograph may be used, however in this case  it will be accompanied by a pseudonym and we would ask you first. This does not affect our commercial rights to the photographs.
8. Photographs of children posted online even in password protected areas for family use shall be of clothed children. (Clothed means a minimum of a diaper for children under 4, older children shall have the upper half also covered – exceptions for photographing kids in less clothing / beachwear / babies in the bath require an additional signoff to both protect the children, parents and photographers from possible child abuse allegations – see recent case in USA where parents developed photos of their own babies in the bath at Wal-mart and were accused of child abuse – a waiver on paper before hand shows that this is not the case).
9. Photographs of children not fully clothed may only be taken with a further consent slip. (e.g. Child running on beach, or bathtime – such photos demand special consideration). Should such an assignment be undertaken photos where the child is not covered (by clothes or cropping) shall not be stored online. For the protection of the parents and the company. Consent of parents AND both directors of raw borneo is required before a photographer may undertake such a shoot, Verma will be the photographer on such a shoot as being female limits scope for accusation. .
10. Normally child photography will be carried out by Verma (a female), although occasionally Ian (male) may be drafted in to help. Any other personnel will be made known in advance to clients and their backgrounds discussed before involvement in any photo shoot. Verma will be the only photographer for photos where a second consent is required such as bathtime photos.
11. There shall always be a minimum of two adults present one of whom shall be a parent or legal guardian.
12. No adult shall be allowed to be in a room in private with a child without a second adult present. For the protection of both the child and the adults. (The exception being the parent or legal guardian).

Raw Borneo – September 2009

~ Ian & Verma Jones