Legalities of Shooting in a U.S. Post Office?

So here's the deal: I have an idea for a photo involving patterns of PO boxes. I would need to purchase a PO box, take a series of photos of the single box, a wide shot of a row of them, and then merge the exposures with some fancy photoshop work.

The question is what the legality of all of this is. The post office has 24/7 video camera security (of every angle, of course). And by having an open PO box you can see into the "behind the counter" part of the the post officer, which is really just a blank white wall (but you can see it all the same).

As far as I understand the legalities of shooting on private property (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), I would generally be allowed to shoot until they kick me out, but they wouldn't be able to get rid of any of my photos. But because the USPS is a federally mandated private enterprise with some very strict first amendment protections, I thought that the rules might be different. In addition, would being kicked out for taking photos give them permission to revoke the PO box account?

Anyone have any insights? I really want to try out this photo concept but I'm reluctant if it will get me into a legal entanglement.

Why not contact the Post Master for that location and explain your concept.

Beyond any hassles related to how busy they may be Vs from where you want to shoot, if it's for non-commercial use, they might not have a problem with it.

"Shoot 'til I'm kicked out" ?? I guess I don't understand the need to be so "Hit and Run" about it.

I know I wouldn't want to test them over the question of obtaining a PO Box under essentially false pretenses.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10021938
Why not contact the Post Master for that location and explain your concept.

That's a good point...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10021938
"Shoot 'til I'm kicked out" ?? I guess I don't understand the need to be so "Hit and Run" about it.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound so callous. I don't mean to do a 'hit and run' as you put it, but I just think that a guy with a big camera in a place where people are giving and receiving potentially sensitive information might not be taken very well - and that I might be thrown out rather quickly.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10021938
I know I wouldn't want to test them over the question of obtaining a PO Box under essentially false pretenses.

Sorry, bit of mis-communication on my end. I already have a PO box at the location I'm eyeing for this project, which I do use for legitimate mail.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your info.

I'd just ring him/her up, explain what you'd like to do and why and see what they say.

Maybe they'd let you in early or let you stay 10 minutes late to avoid crowds.

If it truly is for non-commercial use, I'd stress this to the powers that be so they don't go down the Permit/Insurance/Waive​rs/Red Tape road on you. If it is for commercial use, then I'm afraid you're going to have to do the Government Two Step.

Good Luck and please report back. I'm curious to see what goes down.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10022006
Maybe they'd let you in early or let you stay 10 minutes late to avoid crowds.

I really need to proof my posts better. The post office I'm eyeing has a 24/7 lobby for the PO boxes, so finding an empty time to shoot shouldn't be a problem.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10021938
If it truly is for non-commercial use, I'd stress this to the powers that be so they don't go down the Permit/Insurance/Waive​rs/Red Tape road on you. If it is for commercial use, then I'm afraid you're going to have to do the Government Two Step.

Good Luck and please report back. I'm curious to see what goes down.

Trust me, 100% non-commercial. I'll see what I can find out and I'll definitely post my findings.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #10022028
I really need to proof my posts better. The post office I'm eyeing has a 24/7 lobby for the PO boxes, so finding an empty time to shoot shouldn't be a problem.

And I need to learn to read more carefully... Be that as it may, you still probably want to give them the benefit of a heads up.

Please do. I hope they're cooperative! Offer to shoot some nice Wanted Posters or something!

Suffice to say, it is best to get permission first before you do anything in a post office...I myself would feel awkward if someone started taking photos without prior knowledge and permission

Other things to consider. I know folks that pick up their mail at all different times of the day and night, so I'm sure the same happens at your location as well. If you plan on being there at night when there is less of a crowd, you will probably need additional lighting. This means light stands, etc. Will you impede any people that may be coming in to pick up mail? If so, that could be a problem. Suppose someone does come in and trips/falls over your gear? Things to think about, especially if you don't have the permission of the Postmaster to be there. Best to explain yourself and get proper permission ahead of time...

+1 for getting prior consent to do your shoot.

From a safety, privacy and legal point of view, I would think it wise to ask first. As Argyle has mentioned, be aware of potential H&S issues and have an solution if asked.

I also agree with asking the postmaster at that location. Even if you did this at night, someone would surely come up and call the cops because you're taking pictures and there are hundreds of other people's mailboxes in there.

I wouldn't ask. I'd just go in there after hours and take your shots. My local post office lobby area is always open and always well lit 24/7. If someone comes in and needs to use the PO Boxes that you are shooting, just wait until they are done using it before taking more shots. The only time I would ever ask for permission is if I wanted to shoot someplace that was locked up after hours.

Photography inside of a post office is not illegal. The FBI won't come knocking at your door, the cops won't come and arrest you, and the postmaster won't show up at your front door to arrest you either. Just make sure you keep the area safe for other people that are walking in and getting their mail.

CalPiker wrote in post #10024473
I wouldn't ask. I'd just go in there after hours and take your shots. My local post office lobby area is always open and always well lit 24/7. If someone comes in and needs to use the PO Boxes that you are shooting, just wait until they are done using it before taking more shots. The only time I would ever ask for permission is if I wanted to shoot someplace that was locked up after hours.

Photography inside of a post office is not illegal. The FBI won't come knocking at your door, the cops won't come and arrest you, and the postmaster won't show up at your front door to arrest you either. Just make sure you keep the area safe for other people that are walking in and getting their mail.

Which is probably a good reason why photographers usually get hassled, soon to be followed shortly thereafter by the "I was hassled by a [Insert your choice of authority figure here] for taking pictures" threads...

CalPiker wrote in post #10024473
I wouldn't ask. I'd just go in there after hours and take your shots. My local post office lobby area is always open and always well lit 24/7. If someone comes in and needs to use the PO Boxes that you are shooting, just wait until they are done using it before taking more shots. The only time I would ever ask for permission is if I wanted to shoot someplace that was locked up after hours.

Photography inside of a post office is not illegal. The FBI won't come knocking at your door, the cops won't come and arrest you, and the postmaster won't show up at your front door to arrest you either. Just make sure you keep the area safe for other people that are walking in and getting their mail.

This is a seriously bad idea in a post office. If I recall there are definite restrictions in post offices and even non-commercial use is totally prohibited without authorization. I have a great book about legal aspects of photography that touches on this subject. I'll try to look it up this evening for you. Send me a PM if you don't hear back.

Actually, I stand corrected about just going in taking your shots. As listed from their website:

Still Photography
For Personal Use: Informal snapshots from handheld cameras for personal use may be allowed at the discretion of the postmaster so long as there is no disruption to Postal Service operations and provided the pictures are taken from areas accessible to the public. In these cases, no prior permission is required from the Office of Rights and Permissions; however, no lighting or scaffolding may be set up, and Postal Service employees, customers, cover of mail and security cameras cannot be depicted in the pictures. Postmasters may restrict any and all photography if they determine that it is disruptive or there are potential security concerns.

All other photography: Permission to take professional grade photographs on Postal Service premises requires a license and/or location agreement prior to taking any photographs. This includes documentary and student film-makers and photographers as well as non-profits.

Requests from News Media for Reporting: All requests from qualified news reporting services to film or photograph on Postal Service premises must be coordinated through the local Public Affairs and Communications representative. Contact information is located on the Media Relations web pages: http://www.usps.com …ewsroom/mediaco​ntacts.htm.

http://www.usps.com …trademark-image-usage.htm

However, this may or may not apply to the area where the PO Boxes are located. It may only apply to the actual office part where they do business. Call to check.

Why not go to one of those UPS stores? They have the same type of PO boxes, and they may be more willing to let you shoot them legally.

Anyways, just an option. There is more than just Post Offices that you can try, is my point here.