Photographer's Rights

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Permalink Reply by Todd on November 29, 2008 at 1:50am

I know that it's maybe hard to read this on the website but very readable after you print them up. You can laminate them and carry them in your camera bag. Wedding photographers,this is a really great tool to have for "Just-in-Case".

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Permalink Reply by Ken Fields on December 1, 2008 at 8:19am

A few months ago I was in town taking some pictures of a building. I was across the street, camera set on a tripod. A police cruiser pulled up and two officers started drilling me with questions. It took a bit of convincing that I was a local amateur hobbyist taking pictures. A few months before that I was in the local shopping taking pictures and the security guard came up asking questions to determine if I was a terrorist. The security guard was quite a bit more jovial than the police officers. Thanks for the file.....

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Permalink Reply by Todd on December 1, 2008 at 10:51am

Hi Ken,
Basicly,only the US Secret Service has the right to ask you for your film. No one has the right to ask for your camera. Now,some police agencies such as LAPD will run 28 and 29 on you to see who you really are and see if you are wanted by Law Enforcement agencies anywhere. That is pretty standard SOP most everywhere but that is drifting into other areas of your personal rights. Does using your camera justify them detaining you or even questioning you at all? Probably not, but the US Patriot Act has pretty much striped away what rights we had left before 9/11. So carrying that Photographer's rights card may save you a lot of time and trouble. I hope this gives you some peace of mind and allows you to think more about getting that right photograph. You can also save yourself a lot of misery by printing up a box of business cards and keeping a small stack in your camera bag at all times. This will also come really handy when it comes to taking pictures that has children in the background,foreground or part of the subject. Many parents are more aware of their children's surroundings including myself with my kids. Some parents will get upset until they see your business card and don't be afraid to askfor permission to publish their pictures on your website. This will turn a negative into a positive and make everyone happy. Mahalo.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle Tim (Tim Orden) on February 7, 2009 at 9:50pm

Be careful about making this document the final word on Photog's rights. Every state has it's own rules on rights of privacy. Also, there are simply situations where being right will get your ass kicked.

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Permalink Reply by Todd on February 8, 2009 at 1:32pm

I will agree with you Uncle Tim on part of this. There are states like California that have rules that apply to Photographers and Investigators equally. To can't climb up public utility poles to get a shot into someone bedroom or even into there backyard.
Now there is a fine gray line when it comes to taking pictures of children on public beaches. Put your in the shoes of the parents. On the other hand,if you carry a business card and ask the parents permission to print what you shot,I am sure that they will be so relieved...

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