Is this photo Legal or Illegal?

Taking street pics can land you in trouble depending on what country you are in! Before going to Brazil I decided to check the rules for street photography in different countries.

United States

You do not need permission or a model release to photograph people in a public place. If you are standing in a public place and they, for example, are sitting on the terrace of a cafe you can still photograph them. However be aware there is a right to a reasonable expectation of privacy so don’t intrude into what are obviously private situations.

Be aware that some places might seem to be ‘public’ but are, in fact, privately owned – shopping centres are an example. Here you have to be aware that there may be rules.

Also be aware that you can’t get in other people’s way or put equipment such as tripods where it will cause problems for passers by. If you are in Washington there are places such as Capitol grounds where tripods are not allowed.

If you are allowed to take pics in a public place you are also allowed to use them in your blog or, indeed, sell them. However you probably can’t sell them to an advertising agency for an ad campaign. Here common sense rules.

Street photographers often seem to cause curiosity so be aware that people can approach you to ask what you are doing. They do not, however, have the right to ask you to delete photographs. Unless, of course, they are a police officer making an arrest.