Could you please not take pictures

As a parent, coach, youth league organizer and am photog, I agree with Pete. If you don't have a contract to be there, and you're not a parent, then ask permission and you're likely to get it.

Other great points in here include being friendly, acting professional and being civil, all of which help the entire situation.

CDI's correct, in my experience, when I show up with the gear and walk purposefully up to the sideline, there is never any questioning from parents other than 'which paper do you work for' or 'who are you shooting for' -- Or, if it is a pro photog, nothing at all.

We dance around what parents are afraid of, and sometimes seem to assume it is the pedophile in this thread; I don't think that's true. Parents are naturally protective, so they get nervous when anything looks out of place or even just different. How nervous they get depends upon both their personal nature and experiences.

They're just people, so if you're cool, things will be fine.

When I read the OP, I think the interaction could have ended better.

Yeah, it sucks being looked at that way, but that's the reality these days.

But if someone was taking pics of a soccer match with my kid in it, I would probably be a bit bothered by it as well so I don't think it's an unreasonable thing. You really never know these days.

Photographer's rights or not, I think the best thing to do is respect people's privacy (public location or not) and it someone asks you to stop shooting, take the high road. If someone told me to stop shooting, I would stop. Life is too short to have to deal with all this crap.

nicksan wrote in post #6012969
But if someone was taking pics of a soccer match with my kid in it, I would probably be a bit bothered by it as well so I don't think it's an unreasonable thing. You really never know these days.

You never know what? If it'll be the photog beating you to the punch of getting them on the net? Honestly. What's anyone gonna do? So what if some retard wanks off at the site of the pics...it's not like some twisto got ahold of your kid and made real kiddie porn. It's just some demented sicko getting his jollies off of innocent sports pics. Some people get their rocks off by watching figure skating...some get their rocks off looking at feet. People have different triggers. It's not right or wrong but it has nothing to do with the photograph, ice, or toenail itself. Are we gonna ban Zambonies and pedicures next?

nicksan wrote in post #6012969
Photographer's rights or not, I think the best thing to do is respect people's privacy (public location or not) and it someone asks you to stop shooting, take the high road. If someone told me to stop shooting, I would stop. Life is too short to have to deal with all this crap.

The high road is having a spine and standing up for yourself when you are absolutely not in the wrong.

"Appeasement only makes the aggressor more aggressive." - Former Secretary of State Dean Rusk

andrew748 wrote in post #6009194
i have just applied for my "not a pervert background check" as i think this is a valuable tool to have in this day and age.

I think this has an extremely negative impact on photography as a whole. I really hope you're not going to take this background check (whatever it is exactly I'm not sure) around with you to show people when you're confronted.

The burden isn't on the photographer to prove that he is NOT some sort of pervert. I understand it's uncomfortable to be confronted in situations like that with people watching, but taking pictures is not against the law, we as photographers are doing nothing wrong.

Maybe I'm way off but if you're shooting away and get confronted by a parent and then take your camera and run away all that parent is going to think is 'Thank god I stopped the pedo from taking pictures of our kids,' and they'll be twice as fast to confront the next photographer they see.

Stand up for yourself and photographers as a whole, we're doing nothing wrong.

Kurt

Twitch1977 wrote in post #6013018
I think this has an extremely negative impact on photography as a whole. I really hope you're not going to take this background check (whatever it is exactly I'm not sure) around with you to show people when you're confronted.

This is standard practice for adults who regularly work with children (or the vulnerable).

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Criminal_Record​s_Bureau

Basically, you're not allowed to work with kids or the vulnerable without this certificate (which basically states that you've never abused those under your care).

Pete wrote in post #6013033
This is standard practice for adults who regularly work with children (or the vulnerable).

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Criminal_Record​s_Bureau

Basically, you're not allowed to work with kids or the vulnerable without this certificate (which basically states that you've never abused those under your care).

I have no problems with that at all and completely understand why it's required and feel it should be required.

The issue I have is if it's going to be used as a tool to ward off parents who confront him as a photographer at an event.

Kurt

Pete wrote in post #6013033
This is standard practice for adults who regularly work with children (or the vulnerable).

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Criminal_Record​s_Bureau

Basically, you're not allowed to work with kids or the vulnerable without this certificate (which basically states that you've never abused those under your care).

Yeah, but kids playing soccer aren't under a photographer's care. Snapping pics has nothing to do with ensuring their overall safety and well-being. Of course the irony is that a kid's own parents and relatives do not need this "certificate of okayness" and they spend more time around the kid than anyone else on the planet.

cdifoto wrote in post #6012990
It's just some demented sicko getting his jollies off of innocent sports pics. Some people get their rocks off by watching figure skating...some get their rocks off looking at feet. People have different triggers. It's not right or wrong but it has nothing to do with the photograph, ice, or toenail itself. Are we gonna ban Zambonies and pedicures next? ...The high road is having a spine and standing up for yourself when you are absolutely not in the wrong.

Quoted for truth. +1

When it comes to non-parent-am-photogs dealing with parents, I think it really matters how you stand up for yourself.

I think the wise photog is one who can stand up without being confrontational.

hortonsl62 wrote in post #6013077
When it comes to non-parent-am-photogs dealing with parents, I think it really matters how you stand up for yourself.

I think the wise photog is one who can stand up without being confrontational.

Absolutely. Let the parent be the one who's belligerent. It makes them look like the bad guy (obnoxious parent vs calm photog).

polarbare wrote in post #6007513
so my new shirt needs to read "photographer not terrorist or pedophile"?

someone make them, id buy one lol

Of course I should clarify that I don't shoot random kids' sports anyway unless I'm paid. Quite frankly their skill level (or lack thereof) tends to bore the crap out of me. I'd rather go to the local university and shoot something there. Division II playing losing is way more exciting than kiddies winning.

When I am photographing things such as this it is for potential submission to newspapers--- but I am a freelancer and will not get paid unless I can sell the paper on the photos that I have taken---so essentially I take them and many times do not get a cent.
But when I walk out anywhere to take photos I do it with confidence and make sure I am not hiding. Typically parents come up to me and say can you take a photo of my kid over their for the paper (remember I never tell anyone that I am there for the paper --they just guess that I am)
Be confident in what you are doing--- if you look like you should not be there ---it will show.

I knew I can always count on you cdi.

I know it's mostly paranoia, but all I was saying was that if that was my kid out there, I would be uncomfortable with some stranger taking photos for a "hobby", that's all, no matter how paranoid I end up sounding. I guess what a person wanks off to is that person's business...I would prefer it not be to my kid or my wife.:shockWell come to think of it, it will ALWAYS be someone's child/wife/whatever...​so go figure...:lol

Yeah, standing up for your rights is important. I'm all for it. But at what expense? Stepping over someones feelings? Making someone uncomfortable? Possible getting your ass kicked by a crazy mob of soccer mom and dads? I realize it's impossible to cater to everyone out there and you are always going to step over somebody's toes. However, common sense, courtesy, and respect for others feelings goes a LONG way. I don't think "I have the right to shoot, here's my photographer's rights. I am standing up to my rights therefore I AM GOING TO SHOOT DAMMIT" is the solution. I think that's what ultimately gives all photographers a bad rap. The sense of entitlement/right to shoot whatever the hell they choose to. IMO, it's not an entitlement, it's a privilege.

cdifoto wrote in post #6012990
You never know what? If it'll be the photog beating you to the punch of getting them on the net? Honestly. What's anyone gonna do? So what if some retard wanks off at the site of the pics...it's not like some twisto got ahold of your kid and made real kiddie porn. It's just some demented sicko getting his jollies off of innocent sports pics. Some people get their rocks off by watching figure skating...some get their rocks off looking at feet. People have different triggers. It's not right or wrong but it has nothing to do with the photograph, ice, or toenail itself. Are we gonna ban Zambonies and pedicures next?


The high road is having a spine and standing up for yourself when you are absolutely not in the wrong.

"Appeasement only makes the aggressor more aggressive." - Former Secretary of State Dean Rusk

Interesting how the human mind works.

When I start feeling uncomfortable in certain shooting situations, I guess it shows.

I guess if you convince yourself you are supposed to be there, then people see that and won't really question your motives.

stathunter wrote in post #6013111
When I am photographing things such as this it is for potential submission to newspapers--- but I am a freelancer and will not get paid unless I can sell the paper on the photos that I have taken---so essentially I take them and many times do not get a cent.
But when I walk out anywhere to take photos I do it with confidence and make sure I am not hiding. Typically parents come up to me and say can you take a photo of my kid over their for the paper (remember I never tell anyone that I am there for the paper --they just guess that I am)
Be confident in what you are doing--- if you look like you should not be there ---it will show.