Ever wonder if your rights are being infringed upon by photographers on or in public or private locations? Or if you, as the photographer, has had your rights violated? This is the gold standard of photographer rights. Basically, anything in public view is permissible to be photographed by anyone, as long as they are not trespassing. Including, people with their faces visible and even children. Places like parks, beaches, national forests, national monuments, federal buildings from outside on the sitewalk, the capitol building, and on ANY STREET SIDEWALK… etc. ANYWHERES where you would NOT expect your privacy.

There is a little bit of a controversy over if photographs of people in public places can be used for commercial purposes. Many experts say no, however it’s debatable whether the purpose is commercial or not. For instance, you cannot take a photo of someone in public without their knowledge, and slap it on manufacturing labels. However. all of the photos on my website of people are simply part of my portfolio. I’m not using them to sell any product other than my own talent. I believe in free speech, and photography is covered by the First Amendment.

However, this does not mean I will post any photographs of anyone; I try to respect people’s privacy. Also, I have been stalked and harassed, in my own neighborhood (even in my own yard) repeatedly by people I wasn’t even taking photos of. That’s where I draw the line.

Furthermore, a photographer cannot be detained for any significant length of time to be questioned,  nor have their camera drives searched or confiscated.