Do you get sued when you take other people's photos without their permission?

Answer 1

It depends what you do with the picture. A person has a right to privacy, and if you don't obtain permission first, it could land you in hot water.

Answer 2

You can get sued for anything. Whether or not it will stick is more a question about the interpretation of the law. This being said, if you work for the press, you can take most anyone's picture and publish it in your magazine/newspaper/website...etc. If you are not a member of the press, you CAN take anyone's picture as long as they do not have a reasonnable expectation of privacy, i.e. they aren't sitting on the can, or having sex in their house, or even watching TV in their house. However, if you publish any of those images you can be sued for any number of things. If you are going to shoot a stranger and you want to publish the image, you need to have them sign a release form. Otherwise they have every right to sue. This applies to personal property like buildings, homes, cars...etc. You should take particular care if you are shooting an image that might not be flattering or degrading. For instance, if your newspaper is writing an article about how most Americans are overweight, and your assignment is to shoot an overweight American, you can shoot them with out their consent (since you are with the press), but you need to crop out any identifying features (like their heads) so they can't sue the paper for character defamation (even though, they are overweight).

If you are just a regular Joe though, I would say either a) get your hands on a telephoto lens at 400mm minimum if you are not going to be able to get people's consent. Or b), simply ask people about filling out a release form and explain the nature of your project. Note that most people don't know the law, and will be inclined to beat you and your camera to a pulp if you shoot their kids while they are playing at the park.

Good luck, and shoot safe.

Answer 3

Wow! A lot of differing opinions, but it is summed up somewhere in there.

1. If you are in a public place, you can absolutely take the picture.

2. You cannot publish that picture without a written consent form signed by the target.

3. If they are public figures, you can publish or sell at will (that is how the paparazzi gets away with it.

Answer 4

There are a couple of caveats here:
1. Does their location indicate some degree of privacy: you can't just shoot pix of people through windows and curtains, in restrooms etc.
2. Are the people in a public place if so most "tourist" pics are ok so long as you are not publishing them.
3. Is the indivdual a public persona....You can take pix of celebs pretty much any time.

Answer 5

Not necessarily. Although, you might if depending on whether you publish the photo or whatnot without the people's permission. It just the same with music.

Answer 6

99% of the time no. The only way that some body can sue you for taking a picture is if they are copyrighted themselves or under some form of contract with you (models release). If however you take their photo and release it to publication without written consent (model release) then yes they can sue you.

Answer 7

Double verify your settlement with the photographer. If there is something in there approximately you allowing them to use your wedding ceremony photographs for advertising motives (or something like that) then you are able to't sue. in spite of the undeniable fact that, WHY are you so disenchanted approximately it? I believe the others, you're able to be TICKLED that they think of your wedding ceremony photographs are sturdy sufficient that they might want to place it in a brochure. somewhat, what's the massive deal? Secretly married to somebody else? Witness secure practices software?

Answer 8

That would depend on how it was used. The paparazzi take pictures without permission all the time.

Answer 9

I don't think you can get sued for taking the picture. It is what you do with the picture that you can get sued for.

Answer 10

The answer to your question depends upon a variety of factors, foremost of which is whether or not the person whose picture is taken had a reasonable expectation of privacy, and also whether or not that person is a "public figure" (i.e., movie star, athelete, etc.) Generally, however, taking someone's picture is not, in and of itself, illegal.