When Public Photo Shoots Go Terribly Wrong – Protect Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

When Public Photo Shoots Go Terribly Wrong – Protect Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Street photography is arguably the second most dangerous genre of photography after war photography. 

Depending on the prevailing circumstances, you could get hit by a vehicle, lose your gear, or even face lawsuits for privacy violations. While such risks shouldn't keep you from doing what you love most, you need to identify potential dangers and ensure you stay protected while trying to capture outstanding moments. 

But don’t fret, as this guide covers several risks of street photography and tips to help you stay out of trouble when shooting on the streets.

Getting Hit By a Vehicle

As a street photographer, you always look for interesting moments to capture. It could be that couple sitting on a bench at the side of the road, an older person riding a bicycle, or ordinary people doing ordinary stuff. 

Sometimes the perfect moment for a shot could be on the other side of the street. With your mind focused on the moment, which may only last a couple of seconds before it’s gone, it is possible to have road safety take the back seat. 

Unfortunately, attempting to cross the street at the wrong time to pursue a perfect moment could result in an accident. 

If the accident occurs due to your negligence, you could be liable for the resulting damages. On the other hand, if it results from the driver's negligence, liability will fall on them, meaning you may be eligible to recover compensation. 

However, it is vital to hire a skilled local personal injury attorney to help you pursue compensation. For example, if you are a street photographer and have been hit by a speeding bus while on a shoot in New York City, a local bus accident lawyer is the best person to help you recover what you rightfully deserve. 

Getting Attacked 

Getting attacked while taking photos on the streets is likely, but it often depends on the type of street photography you do. 

For example, if your focus is on things such as a city's architecture, you may not have to worry about getting attacked. However, if your photography involves capturing random people on the streets, you risk being assaulted. 

While it’s perfectly legal to take photographs of random people on the street, many people see it as illegal, which could get you into problems. That’s why you need to avoid capturing anyone who may have a problem with you taking photos of them. If you already have and they are confrontational, you should delete the pictures to avoid aggravating the situation. 

Losing Your Gear

Your gear can attract unwanted attention and put you at the risk of being mugged. This is if you do your shoots late in the evening and in areas with low visibility. The best way to ensure you stay safe under such circumstances is to tag a friend or two to your shoot. 

Also, you may want to avoid carrying your camera in your hand or hanging it around your neck when in poorly lit areas. The best idea would be to keep it in your backpack and only remove it when you get to the area you want to take pictures. 

You may also want to carry an insurance cover for your gear.

Lawsuits for Privacy Violations

Just because a place is open to the public does not mean it is a public place. For example, if you are in a mall where the management has banned unsolicited photography, you could get in trouble for taking photos.

Also, you could be breaking the law if you take photos of people in their homes. For instance, you could face a lawsuit for privacy violations if you use a telephoto lens to take pictures of people inside their homes or parts of their property. 

If you are unsure of the rules on a particular private property, it's best to avoid taking pictures.