BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Photography Careers and Making Money

Photography Question 

Lynsey Lund
 

Shooting in a Public Location


Hello good BP friends :)

I have a question that maybe doesn’t have a clear answer, since I haven’t found one yet in my BP searching. I remember previously having discussed having to have a property release from someone if you are photographing their property. But I’m hoping someone can clarify this for me. What if it is public/state property...like say, the Capitol building or the Forest Ranger Station? What if it is generic....like all of these ‘urban’ portraits being done now....do we have to get releases for shooting those? Does that change if there is a sign/logo visible? What if you are renting a space for a shoot, like an historic home or using a hotel room or a B&B or resort grounds?

Mostly, I’m just a planner and am trying to plan ahead. Before I go scheduling some on-location shoots, I want to be sure I have all my ducks in a row. I don’t want to have to go back and try to seek permission and risk not being able to use some photographs if I can’t get it.

Thanks in advance! I know this is probably a fairly complex legal issue and I just wanted to get a basic idea of how other photographers have been approaching the situation. I’m feeling out friends to see if they are good friends with any intellectual property attorneys (I work in the legal field but in civil litigation, so all the attorneys I know specialize in PI or construction defect or something) that might be able to answer that question more specifically for me according to my state and applicable federal laws.

Thank you for sharing!


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September 03, 2010

 

Jeffrey R. Whitmoyer
  As I understand it, public property is public property and is fair game without a release. A security sensitive site is a different story. Google the Photographers Right and see what comes up as far as an explanation of what you can and can't shoot. Also, print it out and keep a copy in your camera bag just in case someone decides to give you a hard time. If you are shooting for stock purposes by all means get releases for virtually everything to satisfy the stock agencies requirements.


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September 28, 2010

 

Jeffrey R. Whitmoyer
  As I understand it, public property is public property and is fair game without a release. A security sensitive site is a different story. Google the Photographers Right and see what comes up as far as an explanation of what you can and can't shoot. Also, print it out and keep a copy in your camera bag just in case someone decides to give you a hard time. If you are shooting for stock purposes by all means get releases for virtually everything to satisfy the stock agencies requirements.


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September 28, 2010

 
- Carlton Ward

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Carlton Ward
Carlton Ward's Gallery
  Hello Lynsey,
Know your rights...
Download this pdf, print & carry it with you. I have a copy with my model release forms :)

Photographers Rights

Cheers,
Carlton


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September 29, 2010

 
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