shooting in public

[oceanbeast]

is it ok to shoot out in public? like a photo shoot do i need a permit? if i have a couple of strobes will i be harassed? where can i look up this information.

the reason i ask is because i live in miami, and my cousin asked me to shoot him at and around miami beach, not on the sand per say but in the streets. there are alot of interesting places to shoot out there but i am not sure if i am allowed to shoot there. any help would be appreciated

 

[anm90]

Check out this post for answers to most of your questions.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/articles-interest/162431-photography-law.html

 

[Santa Gertrudis]

I say contact the local law enforcement as well. No matter what we tell you, or show you, their word is what matters. Good luck!

 

[anm90]

I say contact the local law enforcement. No matter what we tell you, their word is what matters. Good luck!

I also second this. If you're ever in doubt, calling the local police and asking first is always a good choice.

 

[Santa Gertrudis]

I went and edited an "as well" in there after you posted. I didn't realize we were posting at the same time. Good info there, Alex!

 

[anm90]

I went and edited an "as well" in there after you posted. I didn't realize we were posting at the same time. Good info there, Alex!

Likewise

 

[oceanbeast]

i guess i could try to call just in case, but that seems like a big hassle. i once asked a person at a hospital's help desk if it was okay to photograph the architecture. she said yes as long as i didn't shoot people. well, i ended up being escorted out by security who told me i had to get a special permission from the hospital's HR department, which of course i didn't have or know about despite having asked the help desk about it.

i might just have to move the shoot somewhere else i suppose.

 

[Santa Gertrudis]

It'll only take a few minutes to call em!

 

[poof]

I'm betting it's cool. Tourism is the bread and butter down here. Seems like everyone had a camera last time I was up there.

 

[syndony]

security guards? then these people must be employed by the company(ies) right there in the premises so you need to ask permission from them (the corporate offices).

if it's a public area, i just don't see any reason for a permit. tourists don't need a permit. why would locals need one?

private properties, yes!

good luck....

 

[ann]

the strobes may be the issue,

i have been asked to leave several places including a cemetary because of a tripod. It was fine to use the camera, but not the tripod. Tripod equals commerical use for many people, just as strobes might.

 

[pbelarge]

the strobes may be the issue,

i have been asked to leave several places including a cemetary because of a tripod. It was fine to use the camera, but not the tripod. Tripod equals commerical use for many people, just as strobes might.

I agree with this. When I have my tripod, people automatically think I am a pro, especially if I have my large glass on.


In my time taking shots, I have been stopped more times then I remember. Some who stopped me had no right to, but that did not stop them. A few times by the police, once taken off the street by them...almost had my camera confiscated. Some buildings are off limits for shooting, so calling the police and telling them where/what you intend to shoot really helps.
I was taking pictures of a dam last week. The DEC was there, I went right up to them and asked for permission. They wanted to know who I was and what the pictures were for. They gave me permission to take shots from all locations, including the road on top of the dam, which has been closed for years.
One time a lady sent her dog after me. In one of the shots, you can see the dog coming at me. I made it into my car as the dog bumped into the closing door.
Be careful and polite, it may help you to get into places that others cannot get into.

 

[Chris Stegner]

I was shooting in the center of a local shopping/entertainment area and had this "Barney Fife" rent a cop come up and demand that I stop. He was very rude. I told him that this was a public place and people were shooting photos all over the place. Of course I had a tripod which as noted before, makes me a "pro"! Typically I'm pretty laid back but this guys was just an idiot with a radio (not smart enough to have a gun). He asked if I was going to leave and I told him not unless he had everyone else stop shooting. To be honest most were just P&S snapshot type stuff, but it pissed me off. He said he was going to call the cops which I told him was fine. And he did. Then he turned to yell at some kid for smoking so I just slowly walked off and continued shooting elsewhere.

My lesson from that was that I should have not been rude to him. I should have just checked my attitude at the door. But this was different than most situations I've been in. Usually, they ask, I tell and either I'm fine to shoot or asked to leave... both are acceptable.

 

[PhotoXopher]

If you were in a shopping area you were more than likely on private property, not public property. They have the right to not allow photography if they choose.

 

[BLD_007]

the strobes may be the issue,

i have been asked to leave several places including a cemetary because of a tripod. It was fine to use the camera, but not the tripod. Tripod equals commerical use for many people, just as strobes might.

I agree with this. When I have my tripod, people automatically think I am a pro, especially if I have my large glass on.


In my time taking shots, I have been stopped more times then I remember. Some who stopped me had no right to, but that did not stop them. A few times by the police, once taken off the street by them...almost had my camera confiscated. Some buildings are off limits for shooting, so calling the police and telling them where/what you intend to shoot really helps.
I was taking pictures of a dam last week. The DEC was there, I went right up to them and asked for permission. They wanted to know who I was and what the pictures were for. They gave me permission to take shots from all locations, including the road on top of the dam, which has been closed for years.
One time a lady sent her dog after me. In one of the shots, you can see the dog coming at me. I made it into my car as the dog bumped into the closing door.
Be careful and polite, it may help you to get into places that others cannot get into.

I'm sorry but that made me laugh. Do you still have the picture of the dog coming at you? Hope it was is focus lol.