Photographer's Rights

As a photographer who does a great deal of work in public spaces, the issue of my rights as a photographer are always top-of mind. This is in large part due to nearly every week I read another article about a photographer who was making images in a public space, for whatever reason, and misinformed police officers will demand the photographer stop recording "x" event, demand to view the captured images, might demand the images be deleted, or even arrest the photographer. These instances can be an infringement on a photographers First and Fourth Amendment rights.

You see, photography is protected as a means of expression (First Amendment) and the images on your camera are protected from law enforcement's illegal search and seizure (Fourth Amendment). The following link will take you to an interview with NPPA (National Press Photographers Association) attorney Mickey Osterreicher as he explains a photographer's rights, and what to do if those are violated. It is an informative piece, and worth the few minutes it will take to watch.

Check it out HERE