Photography Is NOT A CRIME!

I love the art of photography. It has really enriched my life in sooo many ways! I am blessed to have a vision and a passion that I am able to share with the world. Photography has given me a unique voice and allows me to express myself, and allows others to see the world as I see it, at least for that moment. But as my art evolves and I branch into different types of photography I have met some resistance. It seems as though if you are not the standard family/portrait/wedding photog you are viewed as a "THREAT." Public or Street Photography has always been an interest of mine. But it seems as though this type of photography is seen as Terrorism. What are these people afraid of? JPG Magazine says it the best~"In a post 9/11 age of paranoia and suspicion, public photography is increasingly seen as threatening, or mistaken as criminal...Amateur photographers are the documentarians of real life. We capture our world to help us understand it. We are not a threat." It is the ones that are trying to censor us that are the real threat. I plan to continue taking photographs of RAW, REAL life as it happens. As I do so, some people may be offended by my artistic point of view, but still I WILL shoot on. And you can be certain of one thing-I am educating myself on the law and my rights so I can start my crusade to bring the truth to the people. So, anyone that is interested-Please continue to follow Crawtography and see the results of all the exciting adventures my new found passion for Street Photography is bringing to my art!                 

 Some Facts That May Interest You:

1. Anyone in a public place can take pictures of anything they want. Public places include parks, sidewalks, malls, etc. Malls? Yeah. Even though it’s technically private property, being open to the public makes it public space.
2. If you are on public property, you can take pictures of private property. If a building, for example, is visible from the sidewalk, it’s fair game.
3. If you are on private property and are asked not to take pictures, you are obligated to honor that request. This includes posted signs.
4. Sensitive government buildings (military bases, nuclear facilities) can prohibit photography if it is deemed a threat to national security.
5. People can be photographed if they are in public (without their consent) unless they have secluded themselves and can expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Kids swimming in a fountain? Okay. Somebody entering their PIN at the ATM? Not okay.
6. The following can almost always be photographed from public places, despite popular opinion:
* accident & fire scenes, criminal activities
* bridges & other infrastructure, transportation facilities (i.e. airports)
* industrial facilities, Superfund sites
* public utilities, residential & commercial buildings
* children, celebrities, law enforcement officers                                               
* UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Chuck Norris
7. Although “security” is often given as the reason somebody doesn’t want you to take photos, it’s rarely valid. Taking a photo of a publicly visible subject does not constitute terrorism, nor does it infringe on a company’s trade secrets.
8. If you are challenged, you do not have to explain why you are taking pictures, nor to you have to disclose your identity (except in some cases when questioned by a law enforcement officer.)
9. Private parties have very limited rights to detain you against your will, and can be subject to legal action if they harass you.
10. If someone tries to confiscate your camera and/or film, you don’t have to give it to them. If they take it by force or threaten you, they can be liable for things like theft and coercion. Even law enforcement officers need a court order.

What To Do If You’re Confronted while photographing:

-Be respectful and polite. Use good judgement and don’t escalate the situation.
-If the person becomes combative or difficult, think about calling the police.
-Threats, detention, and taking your camera are all grounds for legal or civil actions on your part. -Be sure to get the person’s name, employer, and what legal grounds they claim for their actions.
-If you don’t want to involve the authorities, go above the person’s head to their supervisor or their company’s public relations department.
-Call your local TV and radio stations and see if they want to do a story about your civil liberties.
-Put the story on the web yourself if need be.