Asking people for permission to take photos of them

I'm not much worried about legal problems shooting in the US since I only sell under categories of artistic and editorial.

For me, the big questions are personal rather than legal:

• What are the chances I will bother the potential subject by my shooting? If so, I usually back off.
  
• Do I hope the potential subject will pose for me or am I interested in the unposed moment?
  
• Is the potential subject a child? If so I either ask an accompanying adult or back off.
  

uOpt wrote in post #16478389
My non-lawyer understanding is that the identifiable(*) people in the picture have a right to restrict publishing of their photos, regardless of whether it is commercial or not.


(*) shortcut for more complex definition

Go back to non-law school. Dead wrong.

i´am asking myself these questions over and over again.
Personal or moral limits make me think everytime i see an opportunity to make a perfect shot..My conscience doesn´t allow me for example to capture a picture of homeless person begging for money or crying person, etc.. ,i just ask myself everytime - is it really moral and fair to capture his/her suffering and show this emotional moment to everyone publicly?

Thats a question only you can answer.

Personally for me, no, i'm not comfortable with that.

I've only ever photographed a homeless guy once and it was cause i liked his beard. The photo was not about his suffering, it was just a portrait of him. I asked permission first and to thank him I bought him lunch, gave him $10 and a laminated print of his portrait.

Others will be completely comfortable with it and are 100% entitled to feel that way. Tho I probably have less chance of being punched

It's legal to do it where I live... so I do it often. If I'm shooting on the street, I try to make it obvious that I'm a "photographer" and I let people enter my space and shoot them without asking. The consent is implied, to an extent.

I try not to shove the camera into people's faces undexpectedly. Or I don't shoot if they try to cover their face, for example... just common sense and respect.

It also depends on where you shoot. If it's a busy center street with lots of tourists, it's expected and people are open to it. If it's suburbia, not so much.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #16488335
It also depends on where you shoot. If it's a busy center street with lots of tourists, it's expected and people are open to it.

I'm nervous about being intrusive. I've found that public events such as street fairs are good settings. People are relaxed, and others with cameras are there.

In view of some posts about not photographing children, maybe I was wrong to take this shot. It was at a farmers' market. I was standing behind the band. Then a few girls started dancing. I don't know anyone in the photo.

IMAGE LINK: http://s641.photobucke​t.com …cing_zps6e90877​5.jpg.html

OhLook wrote in post #16488371
I'm nervous about being intrusive. I've found that public events such as street fairs are good settings. People are relaxed, and others with cameras are there.

I like being up close. 35-50mm on full frame and a meter away from the person makes it intimate.

You have to believe that what you're doing is not wrong and to know why you're doing it. People pick up on it. Most don't care about being photographed. If you show respect and look like you're just a hobbyist, they're fine with it.

I don't take pictures of people without asking first. But there are exceptions:

1. If they are not a major feature then I don't ask (in other words, they are not the subject but are somehow in the frame--such as shooting the Lincoln Memorial). I can't ask a hundred people to get out of my viewfinder.

2. I shoot celebrities from time to time in public places. If they are near me I ask politely (never using a first name. That's rude in itself, which is what most fans do. I use their title and last names to ask). They usually say yes. If they say no then I lower the camera and leave.

I will shoot them from a distance as they engage in an activity without asking first. But it's important to me that I NOT engage in paparazzi-style photography. I have no wish to embarrass celebrities. So if they are frowning, picking nose, etc., I'll delete the photo. I'm also not going to get in anyone's face or block someone's path to get a photo.

3. If someone puts him or herself on display, then I don't bother to ask. A street performer, for example, shouldn't complain if I try to take a picture. I'll support them with a donation, but if they say not to take a photo I'll respect them with a comment, such as, "That's fine, but you are putting yourself on display in public." Then I'll turn my back and walk away.

Any professional sporting event that allows it is okay, too, along with musical performances, etc. I always respect rules (if a sign says no photography), but if someone is performing then they probably enjoy the extra attention and possible promotion.


Standard Street photography is something I don't really like to do unless it's an event and there's a strong expectation of street photography. I don't want to interfere with the privacy of another person, regardless of whether it would make a great shot.

In the rare situations in which I do shoot without asking, I follow up by showing them my picture and asking if it's okay. I say, "I thought this would make a great photo. Is it okay if I keep it? I'll delete it if you say so." They usually appreciate it and then ask for a copy.

It really comes down to the golden rule. Don't do anything you wouldn't want done to you.


Here are some examples of when I find it perfectly reasonable to shoot without asking.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

I've been doing street photography for a few years, have never gotten releases, but have never sold my photography (but have put them out for posting on the Web)!

RMH wrote in post #16481550
^^^As a rule of thump, I'd say if they're bigger than you and know where you live, it's not ok...

My lad had to beat a hasty retreat on this one

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/bidkev/10985313​873/

i think it's important to ask first out of respect.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #16492132
i think it's important to ask first out of respect.

If you're after a candid, then it would cease to be so the moment that you asked. The mere fact that they know you're taking a photo would likely negate your original intent.

I take pics of people and never ask them. I shoot with an old Pallas 28mm or an old Meyer Lydith 30mm on a 5D classic and am always close to the people I shoot. I bought a Samyang 14mm f/2.8 a while ago and been shooting people with that too. Now with that lens you really have to be in people's faces.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

tonylong wrote in post #16492061
I've been doing street photography for a few years, have never gotten releases, but have never sold my photography (but have put them out for posting on the Web)!

You don't need a release to sell the photos. You only need a release to use the photos for commercial purposes (advertising, stock, etc).

Gallery shows and print sales are fine.

edge100 wrote in post #16492358
You don't need a release to sell the photos. You only need a release to use the photos for commercial purposes (advertising, stock, etc).

Gallery shows and print sales are fine.

That is correct!