Background Checks?

gman33

Hi All

I started late last season taking action shots of local football leagues and was quite surprised at the response I received from parents. They loved the shots and I don't really consider myself even close to being good. But I enjoy it and think this is the direction I want to pursue.

Anyway...my sister who works in the school district stated that I should get a background check since I am taking pictures of kids.

I thought this would be a good idea and only $10 from the state. I wanted to get others thoughts on this.

Take care
Ed

stirfry

gman33 wrote:

Hi All

I started late last season taking action shots of local football leagues and was quite surprised at the response I received from parents. They loved the shots and I don't really consider myself even close to being good. But I enjoy it and think this is the direction I want to pursue.

Anyway...my sister who works in the school district stated that I should get a background check since I am taking pictures of kids.

I thought this would be a good idea and only $10 from the state. I wanted to get others thoughts on this.

Take care
Ed

The organizations that my kids play in all stipulate that anyone contracted to said organization is "subject to" a background check. I think that if this is the direction you want to pursue, you would be all the more attractive for having had one already done (and on your own dime lol). And even if you don't necessarily want to contract with an organization, why not I think it would only help, and as a parent I'd feel good about someone being proactive about seeking the check rather than merely being 'subjected' to one.

I took a quick look at your website, specifically the sports gallery. Nice! Very professional looking, and you seem to have great timing - no wonder the parents are pleased!

gman33

stirfry wrote:

The organizations that my kids play in all stipulate that anyone contracted to said organization is "subject to" a background check. I think that if this is the direction you want to pursue, you would be all the more attractive for having had one already done (and on your own dime lol). And even if you don't necessarily want to contract with an organization, why not I think it would only help, and as a parent I'd feel good about someone being proactive about seeking the check rather than merely being 'subjected' to one.

I took a quick look at your website, specifically the sports gallery. Nice! Very professional looking, and you seem to have great timing - no wonder the parents are pleased!

Thank you very much for the response, I appreciate it. This is what I was thinking as far as being proactive. I also think that the parents in our league also appeciate that the galleries are password protected which a lot of shooters in my area do not do. Although could be a pain, the response I have received is that it is a plus.

As far as my Sports site, thank you for looking at it. I really don't like to "push" my work out there especially with all of the greats on this forum as I feel like I have a lot more to learn. Hopefully I can grow enough to do the T&I shots, but I am taking it slow now so that I can learn and still enjoy it as a weekend "hobby"

This background check is just one aspect of the business but I think it would be a plus to have a blurb on my site specifying that this has been done and on record should it be requested.

Thanks again
Ed

ivar

I think I agree with Stirfry here. Maybe the background check itself is not required, it may be useful for passing other 'checks' or even just for the comfort of people. I don't think it could hurt in any way.

beetle8

Hey Ed,
That's a pretty cool idea about the blurb or maybe click to a copy of the document. Our little league requires a new one every year for all volunteers, that needs to be updated even if you got one last year.
I would want to present it right, not like a flashing "I've been checked" icon but sort of conspicuous yet subtle at the same time sort of mind easer.
anyway how's things going with everything?

gman33

beetle8 wrote:

That's a pretty cool idea about the blurb or maybe click to a copy of the document. Our little league requires a new one every year for all volunteers, that needs to be updated even if you got one last year.
I would want to present it right, not like a flashing "I've been checked" icon but sort of conspicuous yet subtle at the same time sort of mind easer.
anyway how's things going with everything?

Hey Keith...thanks for the reply and hope you guys are doing well.

I am just trying to prepare myself for the upcoming season. As far as the blurb, I was just going to put it on our "Photos" page where we have the statement about the password protection of the galleries. I believe our leagues require it too, so this is why I wanted to be proactive and cover all of my boundaries. I am not sure if the other photogs in our area do it, but I think the parents would feel more comfortable with it being done.

Since I never had this check done, I am not sure what info would be provided on the document as far as the details, so I could state that it is available upon request from the league and not have it available to everyone who accesses the site. So I may go that route.

I also believe, if I read the document right, there is an FBI background check as well that goes along with it. So I have to get that done

Anyway, take care and thanks again

Ed