As a professional photographer and someone passionate about child safety, I’ve seen the positive power of sharing beautiful moments online—especially when it comes to celebrating our children. But with the growing risks of online predators, it’s critical for both photographers and parents to be mindful of how we share these images. Unfortunately, even innocent photos can fall into the wrong hands and be manipulated in disturbing ways.

At Jane Haas Photography, I’ve made it my mission to protect the children in the photos I take. When children are present, I only post images for magazine features, where stricter controls are in place, and never publicly post casual or personal photos without considering safety.

Why Photographers and Parents Need to Be Cautious

Online predators have become increasingly sophisticated in how they find and misuse photos. Some take completely innocent images of children, such as family vacation pictures, and edit or use them in ways that exploit the child. These predators look for vulnerable moments, like a child in a swimsuit or candid family shot, and even non-explicit images can become targets.

That’s why privacy settings and photo security are essential. Too often, well-meaning parents and even photographers forget to take precautions when sharing online. But what feels like a harmless snapshot can quickly turn into something malicious when it’s accessible to the wrong people.

Safer Ways to Share Images with Friends and Family

One of the most common reasons parents post images of their children is to share special moments with loved ones. Fortunately, there are safer ways to do this without exposing those images to the general public:

1.Use Private Sharing Platforms: Apps like Google Photos, iCloud Shared Albums, or private Facebook groups allow you to share with a controlled group of people. These platforms let you select exactly who sees the photos, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.

2.Limit Social Media Exposure: If you do share on social media, make sure your privacy settings are locked down. Limit who can view your posts to only close friends and family. Avoid sharing photos publicly, especially if they include identifiable information, like school uniforms or visible locations.

3.Avoid Geo-tagging: Geo-tagging reveals the location where a photo was taken. When sharing online, be sure to turn off this feature to avoid disclosing where your child is or frequents.

4.Blur or Crop Faces: For a layer of anonymity, especially in group settings, consider blurring or cropping your child’s face before posting publicly. While it may not stop all predators, it can discourage casual viewers from targeting the image.

5.Use Watermarks: Adding a subtle watermark to your images can deter predators from repurposing the photo. While watermarks won’t prevent all misuse, they make it harder to alter and claim the image as their own.

For Photographers: Be a Guardian of the Lens

As photographers, we have a unique responsibility. We not only capture moments but often share them, sometimes on a wide scale. Here’s how photographers can better protect children:

• Obtain Consent and Clarify Usage: Always get parental consent before sharing images of children, especially if they will be used online. Clarify how and where these images will be shared and give parents a say in the final decision.

• Limit Public Exposure: Think carefully before sharing photos of children publicly. If you do need to post them, make sure they are part of a professional portfolio where the context and audience are well controlled, such as magazine features.

• Stay Educated on Child Safety: As a photographer, make it a point to stay informed about the latest threats and trends in online child exploitation. It’s important to understand that even well-meaning images can be misused in dark corners of the web.

A Mission We Can All Stand Behind

At the heart of my work is a dedication to creating beautiful, safe content that clients can enjoy and share confidently. I hope this blog not only educates parents but also encourages fellow photographers to think twice about how we use and share images of children. By adopting safer practices, we can make sure that these precious moments remain in the hands of those who will treasure them, not exploit them.

Let’s continue to create and capture, but with a heightened sense of responsibility to protect the children we photograph.

Stay safe, stay mindful. Tech tips below, so keep scrolling down!

Jane Haas Photography

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