photographing strangers

[desi]

Hello!
I am interested in photographing strangers when I am out and about. Sometimes I see an interesting face and want to shoot it. I am feeling timid about approaching folks, though, to ask for their photo.

I would love to hear back from you all about your experience with this. How do approach people you don't know for a shot? What do you say? What responses have you had?

Also, I am thinking I should ask them to sign a model release just in case it could be published someday - that's a long shot right now but I am hopeful! How would you approach this as well?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
Desi

[Quamen]

Is a release form required if you're shooting someone in a public place?

[Merlyn]

Check out this link. Good info for shooting pics and your legal rights.
http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm
Written up by a lawyer. Good to make a copy and carry with you when shooting.

[lisa nolan]

Good info Merlyn - thanks.

I'm also interested in knowing how people approach taking photos of strangers. Do you just shoot what you want, or do you generally ask first? I'm pretty timid and so far feel pretty uncomfortable taking pictures of strangers, especially when they know I'm photographing them.

[Kate]

That reminds me of when I was out photographing some of the parks and old buildings in our town...I went by the fire station and all the big trucks were outside and of course I rushed to take them (I knew my grandkids would love them) While I was there the police came and questioned me about what I was doing and where I was from, etc. Be careful what you photograph now!!

[MzChristine]

Knowing your "right" to photograph people in public and actually being brave enough to do it are 2 different things.. I'm thinking about getting some of those moo cards printed up with my flickr address to give to people who ask "Hey.. why are you taking my picture"

[mlai]

Good idea. Maybe post the pics online for them to see, or give a few free prints.

[Learner]

Great idea! I third the motion.

[Darren Rowse]

I don't do model releases but generally ask permission. I outlined my process in this post.

[NeuroVision]

Thank you, Darren for your insightful tips on the topic of photographing people.

You mentioned that you always seek a guardian's permission before photographing children. I would like to add that even if permission is given, parents can be wary of where their child's photos may "show up". After taking pictures at a friend's son's birthday party, I quickly learned to tell everyone that the hostess would have control of the photos and would post them on a site that was available by invite only. This comforted most parents and some asked me later if they could get some pics of their kids on CD. Several months later, one family from this party asked me to shoot their holiday photos, so I was very happy to make these connections!