Photography Etiquette: What you need to know before taking a picture

It might seem hard to believe in today's connected world, where people tweet everything from what they had for breakfast to risqué photos of their unmentionables, but there is a bit of etiquette involved in photography. Whether you're a professional being paid to photograph an event or just a relative with a camera trying to snap a photo of the bride tossing her bouquet, it's important to be aware of how you're conducting yourself.

There are laws and rules concerning photography in public places, as well as plenty of common sense guidelines that you want to understand and try to acknowledge before you pull out your camera. Most of them boil down to being conscientious and courteous to your fellow photographers, the subjects of your photos, and the people around you.

Follow the rules
The first rule of photography etiquette is to follow the rules. If you're going to a concert and the venue or performer specifically forbids photography, don't even bother bringing your camera unless you have express permission before the show. Some locations such as airports, military installations, and public offices don't allow photography for security reasons. Malls often have policies in place prohibiting photography, though they're rarely enforced for the occasional casual photo.

The United States First Court of Appeals recently ruled that it is an expression of free speech rights protected by the First Amendment to photograph or take video of police officers or other public officials conducting their duties on public property. Always be careful and intentionally don't put yourself in harm's way to do so.

In general, it is allowable to take photos of public places and the people in them. By virtue of being in a public place (such as a park, festival, or street), people using the space do not have the legal expectation of privacy. That doesn't mean, though, that you can assume they won't mind being photographed. It's always best to ask permission before taking a photo of someone.

Private property is a different matter. Never trespass to take a picture, though it's usually legal (albeit arguably rude) to stand on public property and take a photo of private property.

Flashy foolery
The flash is perhaps the most maligned piece of camera equipment out there. In addition to washing out your portraiture, it's frequently forbidden entirely in some public places. Sometimes it's a matter of preservation; in museums, bright light can actually harm delicate artwork. Sometimes it's a matter of respect and solemnity, as in churches and other places of worship. And sometimes a bright light would be a dangerous distraction to performers at a circus or other performance.

When in doubt, always ask before using your flash. It's a common question, and most venues already have a policy in place. While it's true that you could probably get away with taking a picture or two using the flash before anyone says something, it's much more polite to skip it if you're not sure. Get to know your camera's settings and find another way to take the photo without the flash even if the ambient light is limited. Use a high ISO setting or a wider aperture, or set the camera on a tripod or other sturdy object. Your photo will probably look much better for it, anyway.

Be sensitive to other cultures
Some groups, cultures, and communities don't like to be photographed. Sometimes it's a religious prohibition; in others, it's simply cultural. In China, for example, taking a person's picture without permission is considered extremely rude. The Amish consider photographs of themselves an unacceptable act of pride and do not generally approve when tourists want to snap their picture.

When you're traveling, always remember that what might seem strange and exotic to you is just another day in the life of the people who live there. Always be respectful, and if someone looks uncomfortable with you and your camera, don't press it. Asking permission never hurts, and sometimes offering a small payment or buying something can go a long way.

Be aware of yourself and your surroundings
One of the rudest things photographers can do is elbow their way through a crowd and then block everyone's view while they snap away. Always be aware of yourself, your surroundings, and the amount of space your gear takes up. You're bound to bump into people occasionally; a smile and quick apology goes a long way toward building goodwill.

Obviously, be careful not to obstruct the event you're trying to photograph, whether it's a parade on a city street, a high school football game, or a wedding.

Remember that you're probably not the only one with a camera who's trying to catch that perfect shot. If others are waiting to take the same photo, get your shot and move out of the way. If you can possibly avoid it, don't get in the way of anyone who's being paid to photograph an event, especially a wedding. It's likely that the couple paid a lot of money to have a professional take their photos, so let the pros work unobstructed.

Ask and be prepared to share
When in doubt, ask. The worst that can happen is that you're told no, but many events and venues will be so impressed that you thought to ask that they might give permission anyway.

Some people do not like having their photograph taken, but others love to ham it up for the camera. Asking permission is always a good idea. Sometimes this can be as simple as making eye contact and pointing to your camera, then getting a nod in return.
 
Be especially careful when photographing children, even in public places. Many parents don't like the idea of a photograph of their child being displayed on the internet; even if your intent is entirely benign, the specter of child pornography and other heinous things loom large. In general, try to maintain the anonymity of children in your photographs, avoiding anything that could be used to identify specific children. 

If you regularly post your photos online to a site like Flickr, Facebook, or Picasa, you might want to consider having business cards printed with the website address. That way, if someone you snap a photo of at a convention or event wants to know what you'll be doing with it, you can simply hand them a card. People generally like to see photos of themselves and will appreciate a link to your shots. This holds especially true for people who have spent a lot of time or money creating costumes for events such as festivals, conventions, or Halloween.

In general, when it comes to the etiquette of photography, just use your common sense. If what you're doing would make you feel uncomfortable if you saw someone else do it, don't. If it breaks the law or any posted rules, don't do it. Be polite and conscientious, and everyone can have a good time and get the photographs they want!

[Image credits: epSos.de, William Warby, Russell Trow, K. Gray, Russ Bowling, Jeramey Jannene, epSos.de,  K. Gray]

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