With street photography quickly gaining popularity, I thought I’d give a brief tutorial on privacy issues.  In a nutshell.

Typically, if you are in a public place, you can be photographed without cosent, without limitation—regardless of age, gender, or other personal attributes.  However, there are many laws that prohibit photographing private areas under a person’s clothing without that person’s permission. This application also restricts filming within a public restroom or locker room and in some jurisdictions, the use of a camera phone is banned entirely.  All 50 states are expected to eventually have laws pertaining to secretly filming a person’s private areas (see WikipediA).  You are only truly protected if you have secluded yourself in a private place such as a restroom, dressing room, hotel room, a medical facility, or a private residence with the expectation of privacy.

Also, most public places and tourist attractions (even if privately owned) are game to being photographed.  However, if there are signs posted that restrict photography, you can be removed and even prosecuted for trespassing.

My explanation is only scratching the surface of any rights to privacy you may have in a public place and it is intended to be very basic.  There are many factors to consider about fine art, profit, trade and advertising, identifiability, etc., but, in a nutshell, you have none.

Ata-Girl Photography Co. | Privacy 101

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I started Ata-Girl Photography Co. in 2010 and I am one of the premier San Antonio wedding photographers who is available for local and destination weddings. In addition to wedding photography, I also specialize in high school seniors and family portraits in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling and listening to Elvis!