apple store employee told me to put it away...

I was in the apple store today at the iPad display, had my 1D2 out and was taking some pics of people typing on the iPad- really blurred background type stuff, only the closest pinky was visible...


an employee told me "we do not allow photography in here" and I asked why, he told me something along the lines of "its peoples faces and... garble garble garble" as he slowly lowered the volume he spoke with.

Why is photography not allowed in the apple stores? are other retailers like this? I've never brought a camera into a retail store before; totally harmless/innocent-minded use on my part... just standard operating procedure?

Private Property = Their Rules = Comply or Leave

This is generally the policy at most retail stores. They don't want competitors coming in and taking pictures of their store layout, prices, etc. Silly, I know, but it is what it is. Grocery stores really hate people with cameras.

pyrojim wrote in post #10021493
I was in the apple store today at the iPad display, had my 1D2 out and was taking some pics of people typing on the iPad- really blurred background type stuff, only the closest pinky was visible...

Did you have the subject's permission to take those photos? I imagine any store would look at what you were doing as bothering their costumers, which again is bad for business.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10021548
Private Property = Their Rules = Comply or Leave

Yep... they don't need to give you a reason.

I guess that's how it goes in US. Here in Finland shopping malls and stores with public, unrestricted access are considered public places in the sense that photography also is allowed. Of course it's always polite to ask first. And of course they can throw you out for some other "reasons" but that's a different story then

Actually many moons ago I offered to do some product photography for the Apple store in Glasgow, Scotland free of charge to aid them, and to freshen up my folio, and I was refused. The manager's excuse was that Apple didn't want any images of their equipment that wasn't vetted and sanctioned by them, in order to maintain their corporate presence and feel.

As soon as you are on private property, you have to abide by the owners rules.

If you don't they are within their rights to ask you to leave.

Apple have a particular brand image that they like to keep so my guess would be that only officially appointed photographers would be allowed in any store or event other than a press launch.

Ask Apple's corporate office... if you really think it's worth it.

No real surprise they shut you down though.
It's pretty much standard policy with many big chains and malls.
One reason I never go to malls anymore.

manipula wrote in post #10022246
Actually many moons ago I offered to do some product photography for the Apple store in Glasgow, Scotland free of charge to aid them, and to freshen up my folio, and I was refused. The manager's excuse was that Apple didn't want any images of their equipment that wasn't vetted and sanctioned by them, in order to maintain their corporate presence and feel.

Just curious but what did you think you and your camera could do for Apple (through one retail store) that a world-class, world-wide Ad Agency couldn't do for Apple through Apple's HQ?

It's not because of the people, they are afraid you will be selling the pics to China to make fake copies of the iPad. lol.

Got a chance to take a quick snap on opening day.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10024309
Just curious but what did you think you and your camera could do for Apple (through one retail store) that a world-class, world-wide Ad Agency couldn't do for Apple through Apple's HQ?

Was actually more that at that point they weren't doing any images at all with the new store, which is a big stone/glass affair, and that all the product shots were quite cold, nothing environmental at all.

Plus you know, had to ask, if they said yes to the loan of an iPod or whatever then it'd have made my folio look better. Nothing to lose is there?

In my experience the Apple Store has never had a problem with me taking photographs. It may be something to do with the fact that the iPad is rather new......

manipula wrote in post #10025210


Was actually more that at that point they weren't doing any images at all with the new store, which is a big stone/glass affair, and that all the product shots were quite cold, nothing environmental at all.

Plus you know, had to ask, if they said yes to the loan of an iPod or whatever then it'd have made my folio look better. Nothing to lose is there?

As most of them are.


That's the way Apple likes things. It goes with their whole idea of being "simple".

manipula wrote in post #10025210


Was actually more that at that point they weren't doing any images at all with the new store, which is a big stone/glass affair, and that all the product shots were quite cold, nothing environmental at all.

Plus you know, had to ask, if they said yes to the loan of an iPod or whatever then it'd have made my folio look better. Nothing to lose is there?

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #10042647
As most of them are.


That's the way Apple likes things. It goes with their whole idea of being "simple".

I think that is their whole in store concept - it allows nothing to distract anyone from the main products!

As for Apple giving anything away, if you think that you need an urgent appointment with a shrink - they give away nothing!