Photographers Rights and Photography Privacy Advice
Do Photographers have Rights? It might seem like a bit of an unusual question but in fact if you’re going to be active with your photography – particularly if you’re going to be shooting a lot in public it’s worth noting what your rights are.
Over in the Forums NaturesPixel has put together the following List of links to Photographers rights around the world. Nicole added a few useful links too:
- Photographer’s Rights Card in the US
- Photographer’s Rights in UK
- Photographer’s Rights in Canada
- Photographers Rights Australia and also here.
- Good blog with this sort of information (photojunkie)
- Article on photography in Public Places in New Zealand
- 9 Ways to avoid invasion of privacy laws
- State by State Summaries of US privacy laws impacting photographers
- Photographers Guide to Privacy (US based)
Great work NaturesPixel and Nicole.
If you know of more links with useful information on this topic please add them to the discussion on photographers rights the forum.
28 Responses to “Photographers Rights and Photography Privacy Advice” - Add Yours
March 14th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
In Ireland we follow the usual rules about photography in a public place. However, I was very surprised to hear that the Irish Minister for Justice considers that a private interaction between individuals is off limits. That could be two people having a conversation on the street, or meeting for a coffee.
There are so many grey areas in the law that anyone making street photos is treading on thin ice. A few times people have recognised themselves in my street shots but thankfully they’ve always been positive. Someone even found a picture of his parents which he printed out for them as a Christmas present last December! That makes this whole photography lark worth it!
March 14th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Great article, thanks for this – all very good information.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
great article.
Can you do one of the next posts about stereo photography?
March 15th, 2007 at 4:33 am
Great!
Guys, but what about Europe?
March 15th, 2007 at 5:14 am
I appreciate the link to the Canada article.
Does someone have a link for Mexico, as well?
Those that live close to either of these borders can appreciate the info, and remember when visiting those countries that you are not a citizen there, so an extra dose of caution and politeness can do no harm.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:51 am
I’d really, really like to know the situation in France, where I live and take pictures. Anyone know anything? I get hasseled A LOT about taking pictures of store windows in Paris, and I think the people who hassle me are full of sour owl manure, but I’m not sure.
March 15th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I have found the U.S. Photographer’s rights card VERY helpful in my street photography. I printed it out and keep it in my bag. I haven’t had a chance to use it, because the only time someone asked me to delete the photo I was too creeped out to say no…even though hundreds of people were around me
March 15th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Oddly enough, there are public sculptures in the US that have signs telling you you are not allowed to photograph them. Read the article here
March 16th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Hi Mike, art is considered copyrighted i.e. public sculptures etc. so photographing them for profit is illegal. Stands to reason I suppose but it gets a bit much because even some buildings are copyrighted!
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:31 am
Aalize,
That is fine and understandable, however prohibiting photography altogether is a different subject. The Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House are both prohibited from being photographed for profit.
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Hey guys, I have a question:
What about community centres (in Canada)?
I didn’t believe I was doing anything wrong, but a lady volunteer told me to put my camera away. Is a community centre not a public place, can someone clarify that for me?
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:09 am
Great list of resources! This is a topic that every photographer needs to be constantly educating themselves on…
July 6th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I am currently living in japan do you know of the photography laws here? I have tried searching online to no avail.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:02 am
I enjoy taking photos of locomotives
I have never been told NO!
happy to take photos of locomotives and sunbathing Patty
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:07 am
How about having a card in Singapore?
June 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I live in Bangkok and recetly faced a direct confrontation with a store manager.
Its tough. I am a hobbyist and it really makes enjoying this hobby harder.
I blogged about it here for the details.
http://thegenericasian.wordpress.com/
January 30th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
At the moment I live in Holland and will be moving to Sweden later this year. Does anyone have info about rights in those countries? Would be very grateful for any information.
By the way if you do a search on Youtube.com for Photographers rights you get some very intresting film .
Thx
Richard
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:14 am
I was taking a photograph of a large group of people at the foreground of an amazing skyline at a local park and was approached by a man who told me I can not photograph him that I must delete the picture. He stated I must have his permission to take his photo, and he clearly stated I did not have his permission.
He was appropriate in looks, was doing nothing demeaning, and looked like no one famous. I was taking the photo for no monetary gain or institution of fame deriving from the photograph. Basically scrapbooking. I am just wanting to confirm that I was within legal limits to take the photo regardless of what he had stated.
February 14th, 2009 at 2:49 am
All good information, and for all those reading this, the next time you see a copper, just ask yourself what qualifications they have concerning the law. Tha’t right, most of them don’t have any, same as you or me.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Does anyone have any links to photography rights in NZ? I read the article from the link provided above, but was wondering if anyone else new of anything.
But judging by what a soft and PC country this has turned into, it is probably now definately illegal in all shape and form.
Anyone got any links? In the meantime, I will continue to Google…
September 4th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Does anyone have info about rights in India??are there any set of rights to be followed??plz help
November 4th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Have the rights been updated since 2006? Do these same rights apply to children’s sports? Not school sports. Do I need the parent’s consents?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:12 am
As far as I know, the rights havent been updated or changed from anything drastic.
Public sporting events are allowed to be photographed as long as no revenue is generated from the photo. Some locations, such as buildings/stadiums/structures/artworks have limitations to photographs and may prohibit the taking of such a picture. But people in a public place is fair game. even if a guy is streaking across the field and you snap it, its legit to have as long as you do not sell it without his written consent, giving you rights to the photo. However, he can not, nor can law enforcement, force you to destroy or change in any way, the photo you took. Unless the institution/facility you took the photo has a policy preventing its photo from being taken or the use of a camera. For further clarification, contact the facility management or corporate human resources or public relations department.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:18 am
@ray: community centres in canada are open to the public, but are still entitled to location-specific policies. simply inform the (field manager, guard) that you are there. when somebody harasses you, tell them you spoke to the field manager. with sports, make sure you don’t get in the way of a play or fire the flash in somebody’s eyes. you might not be breaking any laws, but a coach might be tempted to!
@anthony: i do not know of the law [re sports photography] ever delineating between adults or children. (except in canada, where we are not allowed to publish photos of young offenders even though we wouldn’t know one if we saw one.) at our elementary school, parents can put their kids’ names on a “not to media” list, and the school office (obviously) makes this list available. some sports leagues might have a similar list.
March 4th, 2012 at 5:40 am
Hey guys,
I attend my daughter’s dance competition that are often located at a public high school. My question is, does the dance companies that lease this space for their competition have the right to restrict you from taking pictures? I’m in a public space and feel that I have the right to take pictures of my daughter. In most of these dance competitions, they will have a professional photography company taking pictures and then making them available for parents to buy. If the dance companies do have this right, fine; but if not, what can I do if they say I can not take pictures? Thank you.
March 10th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
If I attend a dance competition that’s held in a public high school, can the dance company legally restrict me from taking non-flash photography? Some competition production companies employ professional photographers to capture and sell photographs of dance performances. In such cases, photography by audience members is typically prohibited so as to provide an exclusive market for the official photographers. If I am in a public space, I should be able to take pictures…right?
March 12th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Typically, photography on school property would have to be approved by the school, whether or not an event is taking place, the school is the ultimate authority on photography on their property.
The dance production agency can restrict the use of any photography if you purchase entry. However if the entry is free and open to the public as a public event, then it would be the school’s decision.
Safest option would be contact the schools administration and get their approval.
Photographers are legally able to photography in public venues without the permission of the photographees if the photos are not to be sold or not used in a manner where profit would eventually be attained. Basically, if your gonna make money or personal gain, you need their permission. If you dont get squat or better yourself with the photo, and plan to put it in an album in your attic for 25 years, you dont need permission.
Also know that city and county property are different, and may not be classified as ‘public’ areas. Get the info from the school and the property owner before you go snap-shotting.
March 18th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
For rules in India, this blog has some information : http://blog.sujitshetty.com/2009/04/photographers-rights-in-india.html?spref=fb
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