Photography Right’s
1. The general rule in the United States is that anyone can take photos in a public place or places. Traditional public areas are street, sidewalks, and public parks.
2. property owners may have legally prohibited photography on their property but have no right to prohibit others from photographing their property from other locations.
3. The following subjects can almost always be photographed lawfully from public places:
accident and fire scenes, children, celebrities, bridges and other infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, industrial facilities and public utilities, transportation facilities(e.g., airports), superfund sites, criminal activities, and law enforcement officers.
4. taking a photo is not a terrorist act nor can a business legitimately assert that taking a photo of a subject in public view infringes on its trade secrets.
5. The specific elements vary among the states but in general it is unlawful for anyone to instill a fear that they may injure you, damage or take your property or falsely accuse you of a crime just because you are taking photographs.
6. Taking your film directly or indirectly by threatening to use force or call a law enforcement agency can constitute criminal offenses such as theft and coercion.
7. If someone has threatened, intimidated, or detained you because you were taking photograph, they may be liable for crimes such as kidnapping, coercion, and theft.
8. The specific elements vary among the states but in general it is unlawful for anyone to instill a fear that may injure you, damage or take your property, or falsely accuse you of a crime just because you are taking photographs.
Alexzandria Dills 