DennyCrane
No longer a newbie, moving up!
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2009
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- 1,375
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- Location
- The arctic North Coast
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- Photos OK to edit
I'm sure other photographers here have heard of these situations. Generally, they're cases where police or private security personnel tell a photographer that they are not allowed to take pictures. Today, it finally happened to me. As you may know, I often go to Ralph Wilson Stadium before Buffalo Bills games and take pictures. I've gotten great shots of former Bills players, the stadium, the fans, police officers, etc.
Today, I was approached by the stadium security and asked to stop taking pictures. I asked why, and was told that security was instructed to ask people not to take pictures of security personnel or where they were working. Now, this year, there's heightened security at NFL games, including involved pat downs before you're allowed in:
But the company, Contemporary Services Corporation, is taking it further by harassing photographers. The CSC employee was a bit taken aback when I challenged him on why I was being asked to stop taking pictures. He then told me his employee handbook had a section telling employees to stop people from taking pictures. After telling him I was in a public place, and therefore within my rights to take pictures of whatever I wanted, and that I was going to continue, he asked me again to stop. I asked him who he worked for and who his supervisors were. He told me "Contemporary Services Corporation" and pointed to a golf cart seating 2 people. I was done with the security drone and went right over to the cart:
Here is the audio of the exchange:
http://www.esnips.com/doc/697d0277-3c28-416d-90b9-5a447e159264/rec00007
They clearly had no idea what the rules were let alone the law. Nor, did they know that Erie County owns the property and that the Buffalo Bills merely lease it for games. Their first answer to my questioning was "People don't like having their picture taken" and that as a photographer, I "needed permission to take their picture". Absolutely untrue. I explained to them that in a public place... even IF it were private property... there is no reasonable expectation for privacy. Anyone can take pictures unless there are postings saying that photography is prohibited. Now, I've been taking pictures up there for 5 years and have never been harassed before, and I certainly know the law. These clowns did not. Eventually, they radioed their supervisors and were informed that there was no rule against people taking pictures. I immediately said "thank you" and walked away. The point was made, so there was no reason to stay any longer. I did, however, hear a CSC employee at a different gate say "That guy with the camera. He's the one". So, apparently, there was some radio message about our exchange sent out. At that point, I headed directly off the stadium property and went home. It pays to be a little paranoid and it doubly pays to have good situational awareness at all times when you're out with your camera. I highly doubt they'd give me any trouble if I'd stayed around, but why take chances?
So, the moral here is, KNOW THE LAW. You are entitled to take pictures of whatever you want in a public place, and this includes pictures of police, fire, EMS personnel, or private security employees. You may not be detained for taking pictures. NO ONE may ask to see your pictures, take your film or memory cards, demand erasure, etc. Only a court order can require you to hand over your property.
If you're ever in a similar situation, above all else, remain professional. You have the legal high ground. Don't let it get away from you by acting like a damned fool. Ask them what legal reason they have for asking you to stop taking pictures. Know the law and explain it to them. Get the name of the group they work for. Get the name of them. If possible, record the audio of the conversation, take pictures of them, etc. I recorded the audio on my phone and got a picture of the supervisors without making it obvious.
I have sent an EMail to the CSC Buffalo office manager where I explained the events. I did not mention the recordings or the pictures. I will await a response before I talk to the local news stations, the paper, or anyone else.
Today, I was approached by the stadium security and asked to stop taking pictures. I asked why, and was told that security was instructed to ask people not to take pictures of security personnel or where they were working. Now, this year, there's heightened security at NFL games, including involved pat downs before you're allowed in:
But the company, Contemporary Services Corporation, is taking it further by harassing photographers. The CSC employee was a bit taken aback when I challenged him on why I was being asked to stop taking pictures. He then told me his employee handbook had a section telling employees to stop people from taking pictures. After telling him I was in a public place, and therefore within my rights to take pictures of whatever I wanted, and that I was going to continue, he asked me again to stop. I asked him who he worked for and who his supervisors were. He told me "Contemporary Services Corporation" and pointed to a golf cart seating 2 people. I was done with the security drone and went right over to the cart:
Here is the audio of the exchange:
http://www.esnips.com/doc/697d0277-3c28-416d-90b9-5a447e159264/rec00007
They clearly had no idea what the rules were let alone the law. Nor, did they know that Erie County owns the property and that the Buffalo Bills merely lease it for games. Their first answer to my questioning was "People don't like having their picture taken" and that as a photographer, I "needed permission to take their picture". Absolutely untrue. I explained to them that in a public place... even IF it were private property... there is no reasonable expectation for privacy. Anyone can take pictures unless there are postings saying that photography is prohibited. Now, I've been taking pictures up there for 5 years and have never been harassed before, and I certainly know the law. These clowns did not. Eventually, they radioed their supervisors and were informed that there was no rule against people taking pictures. I immediately said "thank you" and walked away. The point was made, so there was no reason to stay any longer. I did, however, hear a CSC employee at a different gate say "That guy with the camera. He's the one". So, apparently, there was some radio message about our exchange sent out. At that point, I headed directly off the stadium property and went home. It pays to be a little paranoid and it doubly pays to have good situational awareness at all times when you're out with your camera. I highly doubt they'd give me any trouble if I'd stayed around, but why take chances?
So, the moral here is, KNOW THE LAW. You are entitled to take pictures of whatever you want in a public place, and this includes pictures of police, fire, EMS personnel, or private security employees. You may not be detained for taking pictures. NO ONE may ask to see your pictures, take your film or memory cards, demand erasure, etc. Only a court order can require you to hand over your property.
If you're ever in a similar situation, above all else, remain professional. You have the legal high ground. Don't let it get away from you by acting like a damned fool. Ask them what legal reason they have for asking you to stop taking pictures. Know the law and explain it to them. Get the name of the group they work for. Get the name of them. If possible, record the audio of the conversation, take pictures of them, etc. I recorded the audio on my phone and got a picture of the supervisors without making it obvious.
I have sent an EMail to the CSC Buffalo office manager where I explained the events. I did not mention the recordings or the pictures. I will await a response before I talk to the local news stations, the paper, or anyone else.
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