Business Policies & Strategies

Business Policies & Strategies: Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy

Transparency

My child and youth risk management strategy is publicly available for transparency and to ensure it can be accessed by all stakeholders.

Statement of Commitment:

I am committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and will treat them with respect and understanding at all times. In order to provide a positive and supportive environment where confidence and individual personality expression is encouraged and facilitated, I will conduct my business activities in accordance with the following values:

Innovation, clients are encouraged to be creative and embrace ideas

Respect, clients are respected and also show respect towards the photographer

Safety, the safety of clients and the photographer is prioritised

Compassion, clients are treated compassionately

Self-direction, clients are encouraged to be themselves

Universalism, everyone is treated equally

Kindness, clients are always treated with kindness

I am committed to providing children and young people with a safe place while they access my services. I role model this commitment by:

Respect, clients will be treated with respect throughout the entire photoshoot

Safety, the safety of clients will always be prioritised

Kindness, clients will be treated with kindness

In order to provide a positive and supportive environment where confidence and individual personality expression is encouraged and facilitated, I will conduct my business in a way that protects and supports children and young people.

Code of conduct

Language:

Language must always be professional and respectful.

Inappropriate language including swear words, derogatory words, sexual jokes and innuendos are not permitted and will not be tolerated. If inappropriate language is used by the client, the photoshoot will be terminated and no images will be provided. If the photoshoot is terminated early due to inappropriate language used by the photographer, a full refund of any monies paid in advance will be issued. If the photoshoot is terminated early due to inappropriate language used by the client, no refund will be issued and any outstanding charges to ensure the photographer receives full payment will be required.

Supervision of children:

Parental supervision of children is required at all times.

Children must never be left under the supervision of the photographer.

Physical contact:

There may be circumstances where physical contact between the photographer and the client/s is required, including but not limited to:

Assisting with injury management or an emergency situation

To demonstrate a pose or for instructional purposes throughout the photoshoot
To assist parents with children during the photoshoot

If physical contact is required, the photographer must seek permission from the child and/or parents.

Parent supervision is required at all times.

Inappropriate physical contact between the photographer and the client/s including violent or aggressive behaviour such as hitting, slapping, kicking or pushing, kissing, or touching of a sexual nature will not be tolerated. If inappropriate physical contact is used by the client, the photoshoot will be terminated and no images will be provided. If the photoshoot is terminated early due to inappropriate physical contact used by the photographer, a full refund of any monies paid in advance will be issued. If the photoshoot is terminated early due to inappropriate physical contact used by the client, no refund will be issued and any outstanding charges to ensure the photographer receives full payment will be required.

There may be circumstances where the photographer encourages the clients to engage in physical contact with each other as part of a pose, including but not limited to:

Holding hands

Hugging

Kissing

Lifting

Carrying

Tickling

These poses are a suggestion only. If at any time any of the clients do not wish to participate in a pose or do not feel comfortable during the photoshoot, they must let the photographer know.

Relationships:

In some cases, the photographer may know the client/s personally, or come to know the client/s personally including acquaintances, friends and relatives. In these cases, the photographer may have contact with the child or young person outside of the service environment. This contact is considered appropriate if the contact is due to the relationship between the photographer and the parent/s, or if the photographer is related to the child or young person. This includes contact in person, virtually such as on social media, and gift giving.

Close personal relationships with children and young people outside of the service environment that are not due to the relationship between the photographer and the parent/s, or if the photographer is not related to the child or young person are inappropriate and will not be tolerated. This includes contact in person, virtually such as on social media, and gift giving.

Behaviour Management:

If behaviour management of a child or young person is required, for example to prevent inappropriate language or physical contact, this is the responsibility of the parent/s. The photographer may ask the parent/s to engage in behaviour management if it is deemed necessary. Behaviour management during the photoshoot must align with the code of conduct and not be punitive, humiliating or aggressive.

The photographer must not engage in behaviour management of a child or young person on behalf of the parent/s.

If behaviour management is not implemented or not effective when deemed necessary by the photographer, the photoshoot will be terminated and no images will be provided. No refund will be issued and any outstanding charges to ensure the photographer receives full payment will be required.

Transport of children and young people:

The parent/s are solely responsible for the transport of children and young people.

If transport is required, for example to travel to a photoshoot location, the child or young person must be transported by their parent/s.

The photographer must not provide transport for the child or young person unless it is required in an emergency including in the event that a child or young person needs to be transported to a medical facility. The child or young person must be accompanied by their parent/caregiver at all times.

Change rooms/toilets:

If a child or young person need to be transported or supported to a change room or toilet, this is the sole responsibility of the parent/s.
The photographer must not transport or support a child to a change room or toilet.

Managing injuries or illnesses:

Parental supervision is required at all times.

The parent/s are responsible for providing adequate supervision at all times, including in the event that a child or young person is injured or becomes unwell and needs to be transported to a medical facility or taken via ambulance to the hospital.

In the event of a serious injury or medical emergency, emergency services must be contacted immediately.

Visitor policy:

If the photographer brings a visitor to a photoshoot, a formal record must be kept of that visitors’ attendance. The photographer is responsible for verifying the visitors blue card information and recording this as part of their attendance record.

Photography policy:

During the photoshoot, the photographer will take photos and videos which feature children and young people. This may include videoing or live streaming moments including but not limited to photoshoots or photo editing for educational and marketing purposes. The parent/s are required to provide the photographer with parental consent prior to the photoshoot taking place. This will form part of the booking process.

Photographs featuring children and young people will be published online including but not limited to the photographer’s social media and website for marketing purposes. This may include identifying information, including but not limited to the names of any person/s (including children and young people) in the photograph and the location where the photoshoot took place. The parent/s are required to provide the photographer with parental consent prior to the photoshoot taking place. This will form part of the booking process.

Children and young people must be appropriately clothed for the photoshoot. It is the parent/s responsibility to ensure children and young people are appropriately clothed throughout the entire photoshoot. The photographer reserves the right to terminate the photoshoot if this requirement is not met. No refund will be issued and any outstanding charges to ensure the photographer receives full payment will be required.

The photographer will suggest poses which are appropriate for the child or young person’s age. These poses are a suggestion only. If at any time any of the clients do not wish to participate in a pose or do not feel comfortable during the photoshoot, they must let the photographer know. The photographer reserves the right to refuse poses suggested by the client/s if they are not appropriate for the child or young person’s age. This may result in the photoshoot being terminated. No refund will be issued and any outstanding charges to ensure the photographer receives full payment will be required.

The photographer will share the final photographs with the client in a password protected online gallery. The online gallery link and password will be shared with the client by email or their preferred communication method. The photographer is not responsible for unauthorised access to the online gallery or unauthorised distribution of the photographs.

Use of technology and social media:

The photographer is permitted to use technology and social media including but not limited to the use of the internet, computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices during the photoshoot for the purpose conducting and marketing the photographer’s business.

The photographer is permitted to use technology and social media including but not limited to the use of the internet, computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices during the photoshoot for personal purposes if an emergency or family matter arises.

The client/s is permitted to use technology and social media including but not limited to the use of the internet, computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices during the photoshoot for any purpose provided the usage and conduct is appropriate and does not breach the code of conduct. Examples of inappropriate usage and conduct include cyberbullying, image-based abuse or illegal and harmful content being published. Inappropriate usage and conduct are not permitted and may be reported to the eSafety Commissioner.

Both the photographer and the client/s are permitted to use technology and social media including but not limited to the use of the internet, computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices to access digital materials created during the photoshoot at any time provided the usage and conduct is appropriate and does not breach the code of conduct. Examples of inappropriate usage and conduct include cyberbullying, image-based abuse or illegal and harmful content being published. Inappropriate usage and conduct are not permitted and may be reported to the eSafety Commissioner.

The photographer and client/s are permitted to use technology and social media including but not limited to the use of the internet, computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices at any time to access and publish electronic materials created during the photoshoot including but not limited to photographs and videos provided the usage and conduct is appropriate and does not breach the code of conduct. Examples of inappropriate usage and conduct include cyberbullying, image-based abuse or illegal and harmful content being published. Inappropriate usage and conduct are not permitted and may be reported to the eSafety Commissioner. Prior to publishing electronic materials online, the photographer and client/s are encouraged to review resources found on the eSafety Commissioner website.

Smoking, alcohol consumption and the use of medications and drugs:

The photographer must not attend a photoshoot while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (including medications) which may impair their judgement or impact on their performance.

The photographer and client/s must abide by state-wide tobacco laws at all times during the photoshoot.

The photographer is not permitted to smoke at any time during the photoshoot.

Organisational standards:

Bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination and sexual harassment are not permitted and will not be tolerated. This includes behaviours that cause distress, create unsafe environments, or violate an individual’s rights. Examples of bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination and sexual harassment include but are not limited to the behaviours outlined in the summary below:

Bullying

Yelling
Inappropriate or offensive language
Psychological or physical harassment
Unfair criticism
Spreading rumours that are malicious
Excluding an individual or group of individuals
Assigning meaningless tasks or tasks that are impossible to complete

Cyberbullying

Sending hurtful digital communications
Sharing embarrassing or inappropriate photos or videos
Speaking negatively of an individual or group of individuals online
Excluding someone from digital communications

Discrimination

Treating someone differently due to their race, gender, age or religion
Unfairly disadvantaging a specific group of people

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome physical or sexual contact
Intrusive questions about someone’s private life
Sexual comments or jokes
Making sexual requests
Sending sexual digital communications
If behaviours of bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination and/or sexual harassment occur at any time in the lead up or during the photoshoot, the photoshoot may be terminated. If the photoshoot is terminated early due to inappropriate behaviour conducted by the photographer, a full refund of any monies paid in advance will be issued. If the photoshoot is terminated early due to inappropriate behaviour conducted by the client, no refund will be issued and any outstanding charges to ensure the photographer receives full payment will be required.
If behaviours of bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination and/or sexual harassment occur at any time after the photoshoot, communication between the photographer and the client/s will be terminated. If communication is terminated early due to inappropriate behaviour conducted by the photographer, a full refund of any monies paid in advance will be issued. If communication is terminated early due to inappropriate behaviour conducted by the client, no refund will be issued and any outstanding charges to ensure the photographer receives full payment will be required.
If behaviours of bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination and/or sexual harassment are unlawful or there is reason to suspect harm, the matter may be reported to the Queensland Police Service or Child Safety.
The photographer must be dressed appropriately when attending a photoshoot. The photographer’s clothing should not be revealing or offensive.

General safety:

Prior to the photoshoot commencing, the photographer should inspect the physical environment and equipment that will be used during the photoshoot to identify potential hazards. If the physical environment or equipment that will be used during the photoshoot is deemed unsafe, the photoshoot will be terminated and postponed to a date when the photoshoot can be conducted safely. If the physical environment cannot be made safe, a different location must be chosen for the postponed photoshoot.

Parental supervision is required at all times. This includes but is not limited to:

Ensuring the physical environment provides an appropriate level of security for their child or young person. The parent/s must inform the photographer straight away if the physical environment does not provide an appropriate level of security for the child or young person. If the physical environment does not provide an appropriate level of security, the photoshoot will be terminated and postponed to a date when the photoshoot can be conducted with an appropriate level of security for the child or young person. If the physical environment cannot be made secure, a different location must be chosen for the postponed photoshoot.
Sun safety
The administration of medications to children and young people, and
The management or allergies and other medical conditions

Confidentiality of information:

The photographer will only request information about children or young people that will assist the photographer in conducting their business including but not limited to name, age, interests and routines.

Photographs featuring children and young people will be published online including but not limited to the photographer’s social media and website for marketing purposes. This may include identifying information, including but not limited to the likeness/image, names of any person/s (including children and young people) in the photograph and the location where the photoshoot took place. The parent/s are required to provide the photographer with parental consent prior to the photoshoot taking place. This will form part of the booking process.

Personal information collected by the photographer will be stored on devices and digital platforms/programs that are password protected where possible.

If the photographer becomes aware of unauthorised access to personal information, any client/s who are believed to be impacted will be contacted.

The photographer may be required to share personal and confidential information with third parties for the purpose of conducting their business.

Last reviewed on the 15th of August 2026

Next review due on or before 15th of August 2027