Guest photos and names on website, Facebook, etc.

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ChrisandShelley

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What is your practice on posting names and/or photos of your guests on Facebook, in a blog, or anywhere in your website? We've taken some pictures of guests and posted them on Facebook without a problem (some have liked and commented). I've also mentioned a couple of names (first name only) congratulating on an anniversary or sharing a great story.
Has anyone had a bad experience from this?
 
I would never post a guest photo unless you specifically ask and have permission from them to do so. You really should use a photo release form to protect yourself...you never know!!!
 
Personally, I would detest people using my name or photos on the internet without informing me first. If someone posted pictures of my children without permission, I would go ballistic. Pictures of others do not belong to you, but to them and others should always be made aware of their use. This isn't the 1950s. There is a reason filmmakers, advertisers or others always get a release.
 
I would always ask first. Those guests may not be a legitimate couple. Or they might not like their photos being posted.
 
We have a standard release - it's my understanding that you must have permission to use photos.
 
I ALWAYS ask if it is OK to post a photo on FB & my blog - and never use anything other than first names.
And other than that one elopement, have never used photos of children - I do not share photos of my grands so do not post other kids.
 
I would never post a guest photo unless you specifically ask and have permission from them to do so. You really should use a photo release form to protect yourself...you never know!!!.
It is safe to ask first always.My guests take pictures of our food. then they send them to me. I always ask if I can use them on my web site or FB. If they email me back I have it is an email giving permission. Signed sealed and delivered
 
We ask permission but to have a paper trail, our standard policies which they agree to prior to arrival specify that we have the right to use their image and likeness for promotional purposes in the future.
Our wedding contracts are even more specific. The relevant section reads:
Use of Performances and Copyright Policy. Phineas Swann may from time-to-time take pictures and or moving images during the set-up, take down, or the actual event. These images will remain the property of Phineas Swann. All ownership (including copyright) as well as all other rights, title and interest in and to these recordings shall belong exclusively to Phineas Swann and the producing company and may be used for advertising Phineas Swann.
 
We ask permission but to have a paper trail, our standard policies which they agree to prior to arrival specify that we have the right to use their image and likeness for promotional purposes in the future.
Our wedding contracts are even more specific. The relevant section reads:
Use of Performances and Copyright Policy. Phineas Swann may from time-to-time take pictures and or moving images during the set-up, take down, or the actual event. These images will remain the property of Phineas Swann. All ownership (including copyright) as well as all other rights, title and interest in and to these recordings shall belong exclusively to Phineas Swann and the producing company and may be used for advertising Phineas Swann..
I know what you are trying to do, but I still think you should never use images without explicitly asking. policies or no policies. It is not about covering yourself, it is about respecting the rights of others. Most people do not really read this kind of stuff, and sticking their images on public places can cause a lot of unhappiness.
 
We ask permission but to have a paper trail, our standard policies which they agree to prior to arrival specify that we have the right to use their image and likeness for promotional purposes in the future.
Our wedding contracts are even more specific. The relevant section reads:
Use of Performances and Copyright Policy. Phineas Swann may from time-to-time take pictures and or moving images during the set-up, take down, or the actual event. These images will remain the property of Phineas Swann. All ownership (including copyright) as well as all other rights, title and interest in and to these recordings shall belong exclusively to Phineas Swann and the producing company and may be used for advertising Phineas Swann..
I know what you are trying to do, but I still think you should never use images without explicitly asking. policies or no policies. It is not about covering yourself, it is about respecting the rights of others. Most people do not really read this kind of stuff, and sticking their images on public places can cause a lot of unhappiness.
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You missed his first words...he does ask permission..but also includes in their policies.
 
See in the UK it just would not be "done" to post a picture of a guest. I am sure you could hit all sorts of Data protection issues - if someone rings up for a guest we are not even legally allowed to confirm they are staying here.
 
I got an e-mail this morning from one of my elope couples asking if they could do some professional photos on the grounds - said certainly and would like a couple to use on my web site & FB. She wrote back she would e-mail them.
Now I am curious where she planned them to be taken as I do not have a "garden", the rhodos are done, and my place is NOT scenic. Their 1 year is Aug 22. (unless she is talking about the log house. Hey, that is OK too.)
 
I own a hotel and also help other hotel owners with their websites. Here is what I do:
I specifically send an email out to guests asking if they have pictures they would like to contribute to the website.
I always offer something in return. It can be as simple as a free beer the next time they visit.
Instead of an email you can also post your request to social media.
I personally never add images of guests to social media, although I think it can be very effective. I would definitely get permission.
 
I would never post a guest photo unless you specifically ask and have permission from them to do so. You really should use a photo release form to protect yourself...you never know!!!.
It is safe to ask first always.My guests take pictures of our food. then they send them to me. I always ask if I can use them on my web site or FB. If they email me back I have it is an email giving permission. Signed sealed and delivered
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Same, I always ask permission and use only first names. Guests usually love it when there is a picture of them on our Facebook!
 
ChrisandShelley said:
What is your practice on posting names and/or photos of your guests on Facebook, in a blog, or anywhere in your website? We've taken some pictures of guests and posted them on Facebook without a problem (some have liked and commented). I've also mentioned a couple of names (first name only) congratulating on an anniversary or sharing a great story.
Has anyone had a bad experience from this?
Another way could be to use your guest book entries - the unique handwriting of a guest instead of their photograph. We use this feedback on our website "reviews" section (not up to date at the moment because the site is having a responsive design overhaul) but it's also on social media eg: https://www.facebook.com/anniesguesthouse
 
ChrisandShelley said:
What is your practice on posting names and/or photos of your guests on Facebook, in a blog, or anywhere in your website? We've taken some pictures of guests and posted them on Facebook without a problem (some have liked and commented). I've also mentioned a couple of names (first name only) congratulating on an anniversary or sharing a great story.
Has anyone had a bad experience from this?
Another way could be to use your guest book entries - the unique handwriting of a guest instead of their photograph. We use this feedback on our website "reviews" section (not up to date at the moment because the site is having a responsive design overhaul) but it's also on social media eg: https://www.facebook.com/anniesguesthouse.
anniesguesthouse said:
ChrisandShelley said:
What is your practice on posting names and/or photos of your guests on Facebook, in a blog, or anywhere in your website? We've taken some pictures of guests and posted them on Facebook without a problem (some have liked and commented). I've also mentioned a couple of names (first name only) congratulating on an anniversary or sharing a great story.
Has anyone had a bad experience from this?
Another way could be to use your guest book entries - the unique handwriting of a guest instead of their photograph. We use this feedback on our website "reviews" section (not up to date at the moment because the site is having a responsive design overhaul) but it's also on social media eg: https://www.facebook.com/anniesguesthouse
photos sell. Worth 1000 words.
Reading someone's handwriting and review may be okay once in a while, but you wont get much bang for your buck. And it is not that exciting, to be honest. More exciting for the innkeeper the read kind words in a review or guest book... Used sparingly on a website, not really a great social media idea. My 2 cents on it.
 
ChrisandShelley said:
What is your practice on posting names and/or photos of your guests on Facebook, in a blog, or anywhere in your website? We've taken some pictures of guests and posted them on Facebook without a problem (some have liked and commented). I've also mentioned a couple of names (first name only) congratulating on an anniversary or sharing a great story.
Has anyone had a bad experience from this?
Another way could be to use your guest book entries - the unique handwriting of a guest instead of their photograph. We use this feedback on our website "reviews" section (not up to date at the moment because the site is having a responsive design overhaul) but it's also on social media eg: https://www.facebook.com/anniesguesthouse.
Interesting idea. I like to read the entries in the guest book, but I didn't think about using them that way. I keep a Reviews Page and update it frequently from TripAdvisor, Facebook, BedandBreakfast.com and our post stay survey, but that is a good place to get them from.
 
ChrisandShelley said:
What is your practice on posting names and/or photos of your guests on Facebook, in a blog, or anywhere in your website? We've taken some pictures of guests and posted them on Facebook without a problem (some have liked and commented). I've also mentioned a couple of names (first name only) congratulating on an anniversary or sharing a great story.
Has anyone had a bad experience from this?
Another way could be to use your guest book entries - the unique handwriting of a guest instead of their photograph. We use this feedback on our website "reviews" section (not up to date at the moment because the site is having a responsive design overhaul) but it's also on social media eg: https://www.facebook.com/anniesguesthouse.
Interesting idea. I like to read the entries in the guest book, but I didn't think about using them that way. I keep a Reviews Page and update it frequently from TripAdvisor, Facebook, BedandBreakfast.com and our post stay survey, but that is a good place to get them from.
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I do not make copies of the pages, but I do bring down a book from time to time and enter a few of the comments - word for word on the comment page of my web site - from the comment book and just give their initials as the signature ie: J & S. IF interested, guests can check it against the book to see it is real. The only thing I do is fix spelling.
 
ChrisandShelley said:
What is your practice on posting names and/or photos of your guests on Facebook, in a blog, or anywhere in your website? We've taken some pictures of guests and posted them on Facebook without a problem (some have liked and commented). I've also mentioned a couple of names (first name only) congratulating on an anniversary or sharing a great story.
Has anyone had a bad experience from this?
Another way could be to use your guest book entries - the unique handwriting of a guest instead of their photograph. We use this feedback on our website "reviews" section (not up to date at the moment because the site is having a responsive design overhaul) but it's also on social media eg: https://www.facebook.com/anniesguesthouse.
Interesting idea. I like to read the entries in the guest book, but I didn't think about using them that way. I keep a Reviews Page and update it frequently from TripAdvisor, Facebook, BedandBreakfast.com and our post stay survey, but that is a good place to get them from.
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ChrisandShelley said:
Interesting idea. I like to read the entries in the guest book, but I didn't think about using them that way. I keep a Reviews Page and update it frequently from TripAdvisor, Facebook, BedandBreakfast.com and our post stay survey, but that is a good place to get them from.
For me the unique handwriting, dodgy grammar and spelling mistakes just adds to the authenticity of the review or feedback as we like to call it.
 
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