Tips > Safety > Dangers of Photography

In the Field

• Don't photograph on private property, such as in a store, without asking for permission.

• Be cautious photographing government transportation systems, buildings, bridges, and other structures.

Photographers have been harassed, coerced into deleting photographs, and even arrested, for innocuous and legal photographs.

• Don't photograph police officers and other government personnel without asking for permission.

• Don't photograph children without their parents or guardian's permission.

For more information about your rights as a photographer, go to Legal.

• Talk with your parent/guardian about their rules for your online activity.

• Post your photographs on password-protected websites.

By using such websites, you can control who can see your photographs.

• Keep your identity private.

Don't provide information about yourself in text, such as in a caption, or visually, such as something in a photograph that identifies you.

For example, listing your school in a caption, or posting a photograph of your school, makes it easier for someone to identify you.

If one of your friends or relatives wants to contact you, they know how to do so already.

• Don't meet with someone you've met online.

If someone suggests that you meet, talk to your parent/guardian.

• Don't send a photograph to someone you've met online.

If someone suggests that you send a photograph, talk to your parent/guardian.

• Don't respond to comments that are mean or inappropriate.

If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to your parent/guardian.

You may be able to block an individual from making comments, or you may be able to disable the comments feature.

• Remember—once something is on the Internet—it may be there even if you delete it.

For example, here's the April 25th, 2003, version of this website, SilverSilicon.com.

So, think about what you post before you press Enter or click Send.

Ten years from now, a prospective employer could be entering your name into Google.

• Don't photograph anyone in a way that will harm the person.

For example, a friend may be encouraged by the presence of a camera to perform a skateboard stunt that he or she wouldn't normally attempt.

The definition of harm will be created by you, your classmates, and Jim, in class

• Follow the field trip rules.

The field trip rules will be created by you, your classmates, and Jim, in class.