Photographs, videos, and personal stories help us share what God is doing across the Diocese of York. They show people worshipping, serving their communities, growing in faith, and living Christ’s story.
But sharing these stories also brings responsibilities. Everyone has the right to understand how their image, voice, or words may be used, and to make an informed choice about taking part.
Our consent forms help us record people’s choices and make sure we use photographs, recordings, and stories respectfully.
Choose the right consent form
These forms are for people being photographed, filmed, interviewed, or recorded for Diocese of York communications.
Adult consent form
For anyone aged 18 or over.
Use this form when someone is being featured in photographs, videos, interviews, audio recordings, or personal stories that we plan to share.
The form allows people to choose how their image, voice, or words may be used, including whether they want to be named and where material can be published.
Under-18s media consent form
For children and young people under 18.
This form should be completed by a parent or carer with parental responsibility. It covers photographs, video, audio, and personal stories involving children and young people.
Children and young people should also be involved in decisions about their images and recordings, in ways appropriate to their age and understanding. Their wishes must be respected, including when they do not want to take part.
Information and guidance
Young person’s media explanation
This short document helps children and young people understand what they’re being asked to agree to, how their images might be used, and the choices they have. It explains that they can ask questions, say no, or change their minds. Nobody should feel pressured to be photographed, filmed, or recorded.
The explanation should be used alongside the under-18s consent form where appropriate.
Media consent privacy information
This document explains how the Diocese of York collects, uses, stores, and manages photographs, video, audio, and related personal information. It also explains how long we keep information, your rights under data protection law, and what happens if you withdraw consent
Using consent forms in your parish
The forms above are designed for communications managed by the Diocese of York. If your parish is collecting photographs, video, or audio for its own website, newsletters, or social media, you should use consent forms and privacy information that identify your parish and explain how the material will be used.
You are welcome to use our forms as templates, but you should ensure they list details for your parish.
The Church of England provides photography and video consent templates for churches, together with guidance on how to use them.
If your parish is sending photographs, videos, or stories to the Diocese of York for publication, please use the diocesan forms above.
Understanding informed consent
Informed consent means more than asking someone to sign a form. Before agreeing, people should understand what is being recorded, why it is being collected, and where it might appear. This could include websites, social media, newsletters, printed materials, presentations, or other Church of England communications.
They should also understand that once something is published online, other people may be able to copy, download, or share it. Removing the original does not guarantee that every copy can be removed.
People should be given time to ask questions, make choices, and explain any restrictions. They can also withdraw their consent later.
Consent must be freely given. Nobody should feel pressured to agree, and choosing not to be photographed or recorded should not prevent someone from taking part in church life.
Protecting children and young people
Children and young people are an important part of our churches, and we want to celebrate their participation in church life. We also have a responsibility to protect their privacy and help them make informed choices. Consent from a parent or carer is important, but it doesn’t remove every risk of sharing a child’s image online.
Children and young people should be involved in decisions about their photographs and recordings. If a child says no, appears uncomfortable, or changes their mind, their wishes must be respected, even if a parent or carer has given permission.
You can also read our guidance on sharing images of children and young people online for more advice, including ways to reduce risks and help families make informed choices.
Supporting adults who may be vulnerable
Some adults may need additional support to understand or make decisions about how their image, voice, or story is used. Others may have personal circumstances that make sharing photographs or information particularly sensitive.
We should never assume someone cannot give consent because of their age, disability, or circumstances. Instead, we should consider what support they need to understand the choices available and express their wishes. This might mean explaining things more simply, allowing more time, or using accessible information.
People should be able to take part in church life without feeling pressured to be photographed, filmed, or share personal experiences.
If you’re unsure whether someone can give informed consent, or whether sharing their image could place them at risk, seek advice before recording or publishing anything.
Photography and filming at events
We often take photographs or record video at diocesan services, events, conferences, and training sessions.
Not every photograph requires an individual consent form. For example, different data protection arrangements may apply to general photographs of an event where people appear in the background.
However, displaying a photography notice does not automatically give permission to photograph and publish identifiable people.
We normally ask for individual consent when someone is clearly featured, interviewed, named, or sharing a personal experience. Particular care is needed when photographing children, people who may be vulnerable, or people taking part in worship.
Advice for event organisers
If you’re organising an event where photography, filming, audio recording, or livestreaming will take place:
- Tell people in advance: Include information about photography and filming in invitations, booking forms, or event information.
- Display clear notices: Explain what is being recorded, how it may be used, and who people can speak to.
- Arrange consent where needed: Make sure the appropriate forms are completed before recording featured individuals or personal stories.
- Respect people’s choices: Plan how people can avoid appearing in photographs or recordings without being singled out or excluded.
- Brief photographers and volunteers: Make sure they know about any restrictions and how to avoid photographing people who have opted out.
- Keep consent records secure: Record any restrictions and make sure this information is available to those selecting or publishing images.
If photographs or recordings are being collected for diocesan communications, please agree with the Communications Team how to provide the completed consent records securely.
Advice for livestreaming
Livestreaming needs particular care because images and sound are shared as an event happens.
Plan camera positions so that people who do not want to appear can still take part. This might mean providing seating outside the camera’s view or positioning cameras so they don’t show the congregation.
Remember that microphones may also pick up voices, and that livestream recordings may remain available online afterwards.
Be particularly sensitive during worship, prayer, Communion, and other personal moments.
The Church of England provides guidance on filming and photography during church services.
If you don’t want to be photographed or filmed
You can choose not to appear in photographs, video, or livestreams.
If you’re attending an event, please speak to the organiser, photographer, or a member of the Communications Team. We’ll explain what arrangements can be made to respect your wishes.
Where possible, please let us know before an event starts, particularly if it is being livestreamed.
You don’t need to explain why you don’t want to be photographed or recorded.
We want everyone to feel able to take part in church life without worrying about their image being shared against their wishes.
Questions or withdrawing consent
You can ask questions about how your image, voice, or story is used, or withdraw your consent at any time.
If you withdraw consent, we’ll stop using the material in future and remove it from diocesan channels where reasonably possible. However, we may not be able to remove material that has already been printed, downloaded, copied, or shared by other people.
To help us find the relevant photograph or recording, please tell us your name, the event or activity involved, and any other details that might help us identify the material.
Contact the Communications Team
- Email: comms@yorkdiocese.org
- Telephone: 01904 699530