A few years I was attending a trade show in New Orleans. Walking down Bourbon St., I came up to a unique building. I took out my camera to take a photo and a fellow photographer stopped me, grabbed my camera, and told me to jump in front of the building. I turned around, smiled, and then before I knew what happened, I was on the ground with a cop yelling in my face.
He claimed he thought I was going for his partner’s gun (HA), and made me delete the photos taken. I wish I would have known my rights. I suggest printing this document out and putting it in your camera bag. Read it a few times.
I have seen this “Photographer’s Rights…” page previously. I did print it, and carried it with me. (I no longer have it with me.) I note that the page was written in 2003, and updated in 2006. Having virtually no knowledge of specialized laws, I ask this question: If the page is 5-6 years old, how credible will I look if I quote from the page, or show the page to someone who challenges my photography rights?
As frustrating as it is, when I’m told I can’t photograph in a particular location, I ask for clarification, then move on. Recently I was in a mall photographing holiday decorations, a security officer told me “no!” A few minutes later, I found two security officers and asked them. They looked at me as if I were intellectually challenged to even ask such a question, and told me to click-away all I want. I saw folks taking photos all throughout the mall, and with no security guard interference. The Mall Management office told me to “check-in” with a security officer before I began shooting, and that taking photos of ‘common elements’ was fine, but not store-front windows!
Back to The Photographer’s Right page…what do you think?
Thanks!
Thanks for your comment! I did see the 2006 date, but I could not find a newer document. It would be nice for the PPA or a similar organization to sponsor a newer article to get published for credibility reasons. I think this particular article is good to have a basic understanding of your rights, not so much to be shown as a legal document. Keep shooting!