Rights and Responsibilities When Photographing People in Public

When photographing people and things, there are certain rights and responsibilities to keep in mind. In this video, professional photographer Ian Plant covers the rules of shooting on the streets.

He explains, “In the United States, you have a constitutionally protected right to take photographs in public places.” What about candids of people? If your photograph is for artistic, educational, or editorial use, you don’t need a model release. If your image is used to sell a product, you may need a model release. Above all, Ian recommends being friendly and polite when shooting people in public places.

Join pro shooter Ian Plant as he explores the rights and responsibilities of street photography.

See all of the videos in our Street Photography Course:

Taking It to the Streets: An Introduction to Street Photography—Course Preview
Street Photography Equipment
Rights and Responsibilities When Photographing People in Public
Techniques for Handheld and Tripod Photography
How to Photograph People: Tips and Techniques
Techniques for Capturing Great Street Photographs
Using Shadow Photography to Enhance Your Shot
The Basics of Street Photography
Using Your Photos to Tell a Story
Capturing Artistic Composition in Street Photography
Artistic Street Photography: How to Capture the Best Shot
Photographing Sunsets Tips and Techniques
Using Night Photography to Capture a Skyline