Photo & Media Policy | Olympia Hindu Temple and Cultural Center (OHTCC)

At Olympia Hindu Temple and Cultural Center (OHTCC), we celebrate and document the vibrant activities, ceremonies, and community events that bring our members together. To ensure the respectful and responsible use of photographs, videos, and other media, we have established the following guidelines. We ask all attendees, volunteers, and guests to honor these policies as an expression of care for our community.

Last Updated: March 2026

The primary purpose of capturing and sharing photos and media at OHTCC is to:

Promote awareness of OHTCC's activities, programs, and cultural mission
Share community events with members and the broader public
Preserve memories of cultural, spiritual, and educational events for future generations
Support outreach and engagement with the Hindu community across Washington State

All media captured at OHTCC events is intended to reflect the dignity, sanctity, and cultural richness of our temple community.

By participating in OHTCC events, attendees acknowledge that their image or likeness may be photographed or recorded for official OHTCC use.
Individuals under the age of 18 will only be photographed or recorded with verified parental or guardian consent.
Members may request that their image not be used in any OHTCC media. Requests can be submitted via email to info@ohtccwa.org.
Consent for media use during religious ceremonies (puja, vivah, namakaranam, etc.) will be obtained separately from the individuals or families involved.

Children's privacy is a priority. Photos of minors will never be published on public platforms without explicit parental consent.

Photos, videos, and recordings captured at OHTCC events may be used for the following purposes:

OHTCC's official website, social media platforms, newsletters, and brochures
Promotional and fundraising materials supporting the temple's mission
Archival purposes for historical and cultural preservation
Media coverage in collaboration with authorized press or community partners
Educational and outreach presentations about Hindu culture and traditions

Media captured at OHTCC events must not be used for commercial purposes without explicit written permission from Temple management.
Photography or videography during private or restricted religious ceremonies is prohibited without prior authorization from the presiding priest or Temple management.
Media that could be considered sensitive, disrespectful, or inappropriate to the sanctity of the temple will not be published.
Unauthorized use of OHTCC's name, logo, or branding in connection with any media is strictly prohibited.
Drone photography or recording on temple premises requires prior written approval from Temple management.

We ask all attendees to be mindful of the sacred nature of our space. Please refrain from photography during active prayer or aarti without permission.

When sharing OHTCC event photos or videos on personal social media:

Please tag @OHTCCwa and use relevant hashtags to support community visibility
Ensure images shared are respectful of the individuals pictured and the sanctity of the event
Do not share images of individuals who have expressed a preference not to be photographed
Do not share unedited or unflattering images of religious idols, rituals, or sacred items without context
OHTCC reserves the right to request removal of any media shared publicly that it deems inappropriate or inconsistent with the temple's values

OHTCC may designate official photographers, videographers, or media volunteers for events. These individuals:

Are authorized to capture media on behalf of OHTCC for official use
Will be identifiable by their volunteer badge or credential issued by OHTCC
Are bound by this policy and OHTCC's broader code of conduct
Have exclusive access to restricted areas for official event documentation purposes

If you are interested in volunteering as an official OHTCC event photographer or videographer, please contact us at info@ohtccwa.org.

Questions or concerns regarding media usage should be directed to the Temple office:

OHTCC reserves the right to remove or edit any media if it violates this policy or if removal is requested by the individual concerned. We will respond to all media-related requests within 14 business days.