SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUR IMAGES 

Why social media isn't the best way to find your newborn photographer

In recent years, social media has become an increasingly popular platform for finding and researching newborn photographers. However, it is important to note that social media is not always the best way to look for a newborn photographer. There are several reasons why this is the case.

First and foremost, the algorithms used by social media platforms can often make it difficult to find the right photographer for your needs. These algorithms are designed to show users content that is relevant to them, but they do not always do a good job of curating the information that is shown. As a result, it is possible that you may not be shown the best photographers in your area, even if they have a strong presence on social media.

In addition to this, many parents do not wish for their child's images to be shared online. This is understandable, as newborns are particularly vulnerable and parents may be hesitant to share their images with the world. 

Parent permision, GDPR and social media

As a parent, it's natural to want to share the joy of your newborn with the world. With the rise of social media, it's easier than ever to share photos of your little one with friends and family. However, it's important to be careful about posting images of your children online. Here are a few reasons why:

Privacy: Once an image is posted online, it can be difficult to control who sees it. Even if you only share the photo with a select group of people, it's possible that it could be shared more widely without your permission. This can be especially concerning when it comes to sensitive images of your newborn, who is especially vulnerable.

Safety: In some cases, posting images of your children online can put their safety at risk. For example, predators may use photos of your child to gain information about them or to gain your trust. In other cases, images of your child could be used to create fake accounts or to impersonate your child online.

Future implications: It's important to consider the long-term implications of posting images of your child online. As your child grows, they may not want certain images of themselves to be publicly available. Additionally, the internet is a permanent record, and images that are posted online now could potentially resurface in the future in ways that could be embarrassing or harmful to your child.

It's important to think carefully before posting images of your newborn online. While sharing photos with friends and family can be a great way to celebrate the arrival of your little one, it's important to do so in a way that protects your child's privacy and safety. Consider sharing photos only with trusted friends and family members, and be cautious about what information you include in the post.

As a photographer another aspect to consider when posting images of children on social media and online is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is a European Union regulation that establishes rules for the collection, use, and storage of personal data, including images of individuals.

Under the GDPR, it is necessary to obtain the consent of the individuals whose personal data is being collected, used, or stored. This means that if a photographer wants to post images of children they have photographed on social media or online, they will need to obtain the consent. In the case of children, this means obtaining the consent of the child's parent or guardian.