A family taster day has many stations, each led by an authorised instructor, and children choose what they try. Photography should record families taking part, not require every child to join every demonstration. Plan permissions through parents or an authorised adult, and agree what images may be published.
A family multisport taster event might offer football, athletics games, martial arts, swimming or tennis stations, with each one run by an instructor. Children try what interests them, parents move alongside, and the day can feel lively and a bit chaotic. That is part of the appeal.
This page is part of our guide to recreation and fitness-event photography.
What makes children's events different?
Children cannot give the same kind of consent as adults, so the decisions about photography sit with parents or an authorised adult. At the same time, a child's own feelings matter. Some are happy to be photographed, others are shy, and a child who is tired or upset should not be asked to smile.
We do not use identifiable children as examples on this site. For event coverage, the aim is to record the activity warmly and respectfully, within what families have agreed to.
Who is in charge of the permissions?
The organiser decides how permissions work and takes responsibility for the process. A typical approach is to include a clear line on the registration form, explain the intended uses, and provide a simple way to refuse. Some events use wristbands or stickers to show which children should not be photographed.
Ask yourself these questions before you speak to us:
- How will parents be told, and when?
- How will refusals be recorded and passed to the photographer?
- What uses will you ask permission for: internal records, social media, printed materials?
- How will a family ask for an image to be removed later?
Our guide to children's event photographs discusses these in detail, and the school event worksheet can help you capture the answers if your event is run with a school.
How should the photographer work around the stations?
Each station has an instructor who is responsible for safety. The photographer works to their instructions, stays out of the activity area unless invited, and does not ask children to repeat a movement or pose. Where possible, agree a position at each station beforehand, and tell the photographer the stations that need extra care, such as water or climbing activities.
A rotating plan often works: spend several minutes at each station in turn, with extra time at the busiest or the most important. For events with many stations at once, our concurrent activity and crew planner helps you see where extra crew might be worth discussing.
What if a child does not want to be photographed?
Treat it as an ordinary request. The photographer should step away, and no adult should pressure the child. Our guides on when a child does not want to be photographed and managing a guest's request not to participate explain how to handle this with kindness. The family should still be able to enjoy the day without feeling singled out.
What should the gallery show?
A good gallery of a taster day shows variety: children trying different activities, parents joining in, instructors encouraging, groups waiting their turn and families resting. It does not need every child to appear in every station, and it should not imply that a child excelled or struggled.
For use in promotion, choose images that reflect the day truthfully and avoid claims about children's skill or development. For adult-led demonstrations or a warm-up that everyone joins, a wider view may be more suitable than close-ups.
An example scenario
For example, imagine a Saturday morning taster day for 120 children and their parents, with six stations in a school field and hall. The organiser includes a photography line on the registration form and gives families a green sticker if they are happy to be photographed. The photographer visits each station in turn, covers the welcome and the closing circle, and avoids children without a sticker in close-up images.
The coverage, crew and deliverables for your own day are confirmed in your written quotation.
Checklist
- List every station, its instructor and the times it runs.
- Decide how parents give or refuse permission for photographs.
- Agree which images may be published, and where.
- Ask instructors where the photographer may stand at each station.
- Provide a visible way for families to opt out.
- Plan quiet or low-key coverage for children who are unsure.
- Avoid names and personal details alongside children's images.
Share the stations, the instructors, the families expected and how permissions work. We will discuss coverage that suits several activities and confirm the plan, crew and deliverables in writing for your date.
Plan coverage for our taster dayCommon questions
Who gives permission for children to be photographed?
A parent or an authorised adult, through a process the organiser sets up in advance. Tell families about photography when they register, explain how images will be used, and give an easy way to say no. A child's own wish not to be photographed should be respected too.
Does every child need to appear in a demonstration?
No. Children should choose what to try and what to skip. A good brief records those who join and those who watch, and does not push anyone into the spotlight. A photographer should not ask a child to do something for the camera.
How many stations can one photographer cover?
It depends on the distance between stations and how long each activity runs. A compact venue may suit a rotating plan, while stations spread over a large site may need more crew. Share a simple site map and the timetable, and we will suggest options.
Can images be used on social media?
Only for uses families have been told about and have agreed to. Avoid naming children or sharing details that could identify where they live or study. Check the organiser's rules and the permissions you have gathered before posting anything.
Plan coverage for our taster day
Share the stations, the instructors, the families expected and how permissions work. We will discuss coverage that suits several activities and confirm the plan, crew and deliverables in writing for your date.
What happens next: You send your event details on WhatsApp. Our team reads the brief, asks what is missing, then confirms in writing whether the date, venue and coverage can be booked, with a quotation. Opening WhatsApp does not send anything, and a message is not a booking until both sides confirm.
Last reviewed: