Code Of Conduct

General Code Of Conduct

Secret Con operate a zero tolerance policy for harassment, bullying or inappropriate behaviour, and it will result in immediate eviction from the site with no refund. This includes, but not limited to:

• Stalking
• Intimidation
• Offensive verbal comments
• Physical assault and/or battery
• Harassing or non-consensual photography or recording
• Bathroom policing
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome physical attention

In relation to, but not limited to:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Sex
• Gender
• Gender identity
• Gender presentation
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Body size
• Disability
• Appearance
• Religion
• Pregnancy

Our policy applies to EVERYONE at the convention. Attendees, professionals, press, staff, and security are all subject to our Anti-Harassment Policy.

Anyone can report harassment. If someone’s behaviour has made you uncomfortable, or if you witness the same happening to someone else, you should immediately contact a member of the Secret Con team.

We subscribe to the Cosplay is Not Consent ethos. If you would like to take a picture with or of another attendee, always ask first and respect that person’s right to say no. We ask all of those at Secret Con to be respectful to each other.

Secret Con’s aim is to create a fun, welcoming and safe space for all attendees. As fans ourselves we recognise the importance of this.

Photographer Code Of Conduct

As a photographer, you have a certain responsibility toward the people you take pictures of. At a convention, cosplayers are usually quite happy to have their photo taken, provided they feel safe and that the photos will be in good taste. No cosplayer wants to feel unsafe or be put in awkward situations. As a photographer, you want to take pictures, have a good reputation, and not make anyone feel uneasy.

Check the Secret Con photography guidelines in the T’s & C’s prior to purchasing your ticket for the event
We want everyone to have an amazing day at Secret Con and consequently these guidelines on behaviour are extremely important to us. Any violation of the following code of conduct may result in you being asked to leave the event, and/or result in you being banned from future events:

• One of the main aims of Secret Con is for photographers and cosplayers to create some amazing imagery together, and we love to see photos taken at our events but please be considerate about the locations you use for photographs and avoid doorways, emergency exits and areas where people need to pass through or queue.
• ALWAYS ask before taking a photograph of a Cosplayer. If a cosplayer rejects a shoot request, then please respect their choice. They could be going out for lunch, need to answer a call, need some rest, need to attend to an emergency, or just not feel like being in front of a camera at that time – It could be any number of reasons.
• Never touch a cosplayer without their consent. If you want cosplayers to take a certain pose, or have part of their costume out of place, demonstrate it yourself, show them sample images, or simply communicate it verbally.
• If another photographer is shooting with a cosplayer that you wish to shoot with, please wait until the other photographer has finished shooting before approaching the Cosplayer. Please do not ‘Snipe’ – by this we mean if a Photographer and a Cosplayer are working together on a 1:1 basis and has set up lighting and composition, it is considered extremely bad manners to then stand over the other Photographers shoulder or even at a distance to take a shot of the Cosplayer. It will benefit you to wait and have the full attention of the Cosplayer. Most Photographers will also not mind letting you have a quick go with the lighting set up as a one off, if you ask politely and it is for tutorial purposes. Another version of ‘sniping’ is often referred to as candid shots, which a lot of cosplayers are not comfortable with. For best results we recommend that you always wait. If you are uncomfortable with asking cosplayers for shoots, we operate a ‘Bus Stop’ buddy system at our events to help assist cosplayers and photographers to team up and shoot. More information on this can be found on our event Facebook page. Alternatively, feel free to contact us directly.
• Consider the “social media” test when taking your shots – If you were to take the shot and the image went viral, would the general public be offended by your image. If the answer is yes, then consider the implications before taking the shot, and consult the cosplayer with your idea before proceeding.
• Shaming, racist remarks, general derogatory comments will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Respect all cosplayers who make the effort to dress up for the convention. Cosplay is fun only because people get creative with it. No need to throw insults and bad remarks.
• As the photographer you naturally own the rights to the image. For use of general purposes, social media, own website etc. However, please consult the cosplayer if your intention is to use the image for commercial purpose, or monetary gain. Please ensure you do not do any of the following: Publish the cosplay photo in a magazine (newspaper or any publications) without the consent of the cosplayer, Make and selling prints without permission, Make a photobook and sell it.
• If you wish to charge for additional edits, whether it be additional quantities of images outside of what has already been agreed, fantasy/composite images etc. You MUST discuss and agree this with the cosplayer at the time of organising the shoot. However, charging for shoot slots, is NOT permitted at our event.
• If you are found to be acting inappropriately, you will be asked to leave the event immediately.