Photographers Rights

[acura nsx pilot]

I have a question which has probably been asked a million times but with each situation maybe the answer is different so I apologize in advance if this post is redundant.

Yesterday I went to a book signing

http://www.stewleonards.com/press/10giadawmedia.cfm

I did not see any signs prohibiting one from taking photos in fact there was a area assigned to where you could take pics from

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5494/0001gz.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/0001gz.jpg/)

I had asked someone on staff if I could get some pictures to which he said yes. It was later on about ten minutes after the guest arrived someone else on staff asked who I was shooting for to which I told them no one. I told them I was just looking to get some pics and leave. She then asked if I had enough pics to which I replied no. I told her that she could also have access to my photos to which she replied. We have our own photographer here so we dont need your photo's and you have to leave now or be escorted out. I was annoyed and left because it was just not worth the hassel. My question is what are my rights in a situation like this ?

[Picture North Carolina]

Yesterday I went to a book signing



I did not see any signs prohibiting one from taking photos in fact there was a area assigned to where you could take pics from



I had asked someone on staff if I could get some pictures to which he said yes. It was later on about ten minutes after the guest arrived someone else on staff asked who I was shooting for to which I told them no one. I told them I was just looking to get some pics and leave. She then asked if I had enough pics to which I replied no. I told her that she could also have access to my photos to which she replied. We have our own photographer here so we dont need your photo's and you have to leave now or be escorted out. I was annoyed and left because it was just not worth the hassel. My question is what are my rights in a situation like this ?

If you were on private property, you have no rights. The policies of the owner, the event organizer, whoever is in charge are the policies to be adhered to. When you're on private property you can be asked to leave at any time.

[sspellman]

You were at a private location in the USA. As with any private location, even those open to the public, the owner has the right to control the behavior of guests-including photography. The owner can ask you to leave his property at any time, but may not demand or require that you delete pictures. This is no different than your own house/business/property.

Almost every business owner want to control their public image and appearence. Since you were not part of the legitimate media, they saw no benefit to themselves to allow you to take high quality pictures. The assigned photo area was probably for media photographers.


-Scott

[Shamir]

This happens alot with me! ..

I work for some beauty pageants and one of the policies is that there should be no other photographer other than me.. I've seen some guys with their big cameras taking pictures and after notifying it to Security, they go and escort him out. The only guys allowed to take pictures are Press and Me.

Sometimes I feel sorry for them, I mean, they are just doing their work and trying to get benefit from it, however, its my work =).

[gonzogolf]

It sounds like you wore out your welcome, even if it wasnt anything you did. Those sorts of events have a spot set aside so people can have their photo taken standing by the author as he signs their book. After you took a few shots and then didnt move on, they probably began to suspect your motives and asked you to move along. Like others have said, its private property so they can ask you to stop, or to leave whenever they feel like it.

[MJPhotos24]

They have full right to boot you out and don't really need a reason - you're not working media so just getting in the way of those who are in their eyes, and probably some other photographers.

[acura nsx pilot]

It sounds like you wore out your welcome, even if it wasnt anything you did. Those sorts of events have a spot set aside so people can have their photo taken standing by the author as he signs their book. After you took a few shots and then didnt move on, they probably began to suspect your motives and asked you to move along. Like others have said, its private property so they can ask you to stop, or to leave whenever they feel like it.

That is exactly what happened :(

I at that point just thanked the staff and left.

[acura nsx pilot]

This happens alot with me! ..

I work for some beauty pageants and one of the policies is that there should be no other photographer other than me.. I've seen some guys with their big cameras taking pictures and after notifying it to Security, they go and escort him out. The only guys allowed to take pictures are Press and Me.

Sometimes I feel sorry for them, I mean, they are just doing their work and trying to get benefit from it, however, its my work =).

I always respect those who are there with a job to do but at the same time I have met a few great guys along the way who will allow me to get my shots after there done.