Chapter 9 - Developing a Program for Investigative Photography

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  1. Compare organizational policy with the need to support a program of investigative photography.
  2. Discuss how United States Copyright Law pertains to investigative photography.
  3. List the steps for developing a photography program.
  4. Review the guidelines for selecting a photography service.
  5. Explain the reasons companies should control what photographs are taken and who has control or custody over their release.
  6. Discuss the types of photographs that are prohibited under United States Code.

PROGRAM BASICS

Investigative photography programs, like other programs EHS professionals create and maintain, are likely to be analyzed and reviewed to judge whether they adhere to criteria of

quality and integrity. The relationship between an investigation as a whole and the part of the investigation that is involved with collecting documentation with a camera must be seamless, and the entire investigation must demonstrate professional performance. Investigative photography, when viewed as a process, has three elements:

  1. Policies. Policies establish the reasons photographs will be taken and who will have authority to take them.
  2. Procedures. These are the steps that must be followed when photographs are taken.
  3. Performance criteria. These are the standards photographers and their photographs must meet in order to ensure that their role in an investigation is successful (discussed previously in Chapters 2 and 3).

Figure 9.1 is an example of a basic approach to documenting a photography program. Sections 1 through 3 establish policies
that provide structure and responsibility for maintaining the program. Section 4 identifies procedures to be used when photographs are taken, particularly when they are taken as part