photographing children is it illegal ?

[paul5555]

Hello I need some advice perhaps you can help.

I was out and about taking some pictures and 2 kids came along on bikes so I took a picture they asked why I took a picture and I responded with I am just taking pictures no real reason. I was just taking pictures of the local public park. It was snowing and I thought the photo would look nice.


About 10 minutes later they came back and asked me to delete the image I refused they went on to say it is illegal for you to take pictures of children. After I had said I can take pictures of any thing I want. Then one girl got her phone out and called the police the women on the phone asked me to delete the picture I complied with what she said as I was not sure on what the law says I was taken back a bit.

It felt I was being accused of doing some thing wrong. The boy later started calling me a fagot which really was upsetting. I cant stop thinking about this and feel a bit angry maybe I should have told them where to go but I was unsure and am worried if this could affect working with kids in employment in the future.

I live in the UK and I was wondering since your professionals on here what do you think. I have done some research and it turns out from what I have read its not illegal to take pictures of kids but it does seem to be a bit of a grey area. Are we getting to a point where people think every one is a paedophile when taking a picture.

I would appreciate your input regards

Paul.

 

[tomoo1000]

You can take images of what you want in a public place kids inc I would have said no to the request though.

Phil.

 

[jvc1]

It's an unfortunate sign of the times that taking pictures of kids you're not related to is a bad idea, regardless of whether or not it's legal.

 

[ericN2]

Certainly in UK I think it may well be described as a little bit dubious nowadays .. since too many people feel that it is an intrusion on personal right of privacy. There have of course very recently seem to have been (and it is still ongoing) a kind of witch-hunt almost on people who are now being accused of wrong-doings against children. It used to be the thing that folk could generally take snaps of almost anything in public..as long as they did not impede anyone or in fact be asked NOT to do so for other reasons. I guess that in current times many parents may well have advised their kids to 'beware' of such as this photo-taking when not by request and personally I think it best not to even risk any sort of defensive action such as you encountered here.

It seems we now live in quite a changed World !!

.

 

[paul5555]

last year a couple asked me to take a photo of them with their little boy. He asked me how much did I charge I said I do it for free. I emailed them the pictures later that day. This happened in the same local park.

 

[Dareshooter]

Not illegal in UK AFAIK but not wise given the kind of world we live in.

 

[paul5555]

So if you were in my position what would you have done ???

 

[alcelc]

It's an unfortunate sign of the times that taking pictures of kids you're not related to is a bad idea, regardless of whether or not it's legal.

 

[Dutch Newchurch]

No, photographing children is not illegal in the UK. But you risk confrontations of this sort, with ignorant and over-protective members of the public if you do so.

The police now seem to be quite alert to the issue and would probably support the photographer if called.

I personally wouldn't photograph other people's children in a public place unless I was sure the adults with them agreed.

 

[Dareshooter]

So if you were in my position what would you have done ???

I wouldn't take the photo in the first place. I got asked for photos by kids back when I shot film but lied through my teeth and told them I had no more film.

 

[paul5555]

just if any one is interested check out this youtube video it tells you your rights.

If the link gets removed search (Photography tips - UK laws and your rights) on youtube.

 

[tbcass]

paul5555 wrote:Are we getting to a point where people think everyone is a paedophile when taking a picture.

It appears that way. Because of mass media everyone is super paranoid despite the fact that at most one out of a million people photographing children does so for nefarious reasons. I'm glad I'm in my 70's because I can see a high potential for George Orwell's predictions to come true in the next 20-50 years as people give up freedoms for a sense of safety.

 

[GARRIGA]

If it feels creepy then it might just be creepy. Applies to the photographer and one being photographed. Doesn’t matter if it’s legal, if another has requestef that one not be taking their picture or deleting what they have then complying isn’t a bad idea. Don’t care if I’m in a public place. Respecting another’s privacy just seems like the right thing.

 

[paul5555]

The scenario was this I was standing by a large pond/lake it was snowing heavily two kids were cycling along the patch they were about 20 feet away from me so I took a picture. The photo was a so so picture nothing special. But I thought with it snowing and thought it might make a nice picture. I don't think you could even make out their faces in the picture at 50mm.

 

[paul5555]

The children was covered up in winter clothing.

 

[fishy wishy]

.... The boy later started calling me a fagot which really was upsetting. I cant stop thinking about this and feel a bit angry maybe I should have told them where to go but I was unsure and am worried if this could affect working with kids in employment in the future.

I live in the UK

Cool story, bro.

It's like an english boy calling a chimney a 'flue'.

 

[David Pavlich]

So if you were in my position what would you have done ???

I made the choice not to single out kids for pictures. Now, if they are in the viewfinder but aren't the subject, then they get their picture taken.

This is in the states, by the way. I made the choice considering the discretion and valor thing, not the legal aspects. It's just not worth the ire of a parent that sees a pervert behind every camera. Not their fault as much as it is society's doing. I liken it to walking into a grocery store and right next to the carts are those hand wipes.

And now with the me, too thing, it has become a chore just to function in day to day activities. I'm all for progress, but this overt paranoia is going to be the undoing of the way we function as a society.

David

 

[Dutch Newchurch]

.... The boy later started calling me a fagot which really was upsetting. I cant stop thinking about this and feel a bit angry maybe I should have told them where to go but I was unsure and am worried if this could affect working with kids in employment in the future.

I live in the UK

Cool story, bro.

It's like an english boy calling a chimney a 'flue'.

Many of them refer to the police as the 'feds'. It's a sign their education / trash TV ratio is badly wrong.

 

[hotdog321]

I've been a photojournalist for 35+ years and have photographed thousands of kids. Here is a tip. DO NOT photograph kids unless a parent or guardian is present. People, especially here in the U.S., are hysterically protective of their kids and, while it is legal to photograph kids in a public space, it is very dangerous. You might even be physically attacked.

I always do a "smile and and nod" with the parent or guardian and/or immediately go over to them, introduce myself and show them the photo explaining what I am doing, even offer to email them the image. Since I shoot editorial, I usually need to get the kid's name and age anyway, so talking to an adult helps me get the spelling right.

If they object, I erase it. No argument, no discussion. I thank them and leave. Yes, I am within my legal rights, but this won't help you if the parent attacks you and you will get very little support from police. Photographers are already viewed with suspicion--photographing kids is fun and interesting, but you need to use common sense.











































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[Shlomo Goldwasser]

Dear OP,

1) You live in the Orwellian dream. Posting on a forum won't change society; only petrol and a lighter does...

2) You are wrong to have been intimidated by a child telling you it is not allowed, while you did not know the legality of what you were doing. My best guess is you were in a typical British poverty stricken area (80% of the country) where children have no manners and are more than willing to harrass you. Pro tip: carry a compact camera and running shoes because you may need to physically defend yourself/run away when the situation arises. Poverty photography is a special category.

3) The British police is largely not professional enough to know whether someone is allowed to take photographs or not. You being British you are not 'red pilled' about this. It is a pity you let yourself be fooled and deleted your photos.

4) You could have humored/owned the situation by saying that you are not Jimmy Saville or Rolf Harris.

5) If someone wants to dispute you regarding the legality of a photograph, ask them for technicalities, like in which subsection of the law it is stated. Don't go on the defensive like you did because they will see you as prey. Take the fight to them. Grow a pair.