forensics7 wrote:
I am looking to see if anyone has had any issues with a private club telling someone they couldn't take photos of children or be on "their property". In this case, a soccer club has been using the RPB Memorial Park here for various games. At the invite of my neighbor to take photos of his son playing, I did so and have done at least 10 games at this same site. I ran into a guy this week, maybe British who may not know the privacy/legal laws regarding public photography and he said I can't take photos of kids on their teams. I have searched all the sites on Internet and find parks, town land is public and any photos can be taken. I understand the issue of posting on Internet etc but they were just for my neighbor.
Anyway, I plan to go back and do another game but want to be sure the soccer club doesn't lease or control the land ( soccer fields) in any way. The guy on the field running the tournament was fine and probably didn't know but his boss, President or CEO of club threatened to call the police, which I should have called him on but decided to have all my ducks in a row before returning. This guy was also foreign, I say that only because of the possibility he doesn't know privacy and photography issues.
I plan to call the Town Rec center and the local police to verify its public land. Another friend who has been a photographer for many years, said he has never had a problem. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.
I am looking to see if anyone has had any issues w... (
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forensics
I am going to respond to you but, first let me say I live in Florida, I do not know the laws of the location of where you're at.
I am a former member of a law enforcement agency who served for 30 plus years with a sheriff's office in the state of Florida.
The only thing that would interfere with your operation is the owner of the property, not public laws. If I was called to the scene at that location, and there was no owner on the property, I would listen to the story of both sides until the man complaining against you, I would refuse to take any action if that man is on public property. Law enforcement cannot enforce any civil regulations or rules with regard to civil ownership of property. Law enforcement can only enforce the laws of their local territory.
If the owner of the property was there or his truly designated agent, the owner of that property could request that you leave the property for whatever reason they would like to site. It is at that point, and only at that point, if and when you should decide that you do not want to leave the property, that you might be charged criminally with trespass on private property after given a proper Warning by the owner or the approved agent.
There are no federal laws that regulate or prohibit taking any kind of photographs of any individual on public property. Yes, photographs might not be usable from a commercial standpoint but on public property, no one can stop you from taking photographs and that includes photographs of military installations or government installations as long as you're standing in a public place where that location then be singing and is located in the view of the public. The Supreme Court has ruled on this... under the 1st amendment.
Now, I would like to remind you that all of the above is said with the fact that this is what pertains to Florida. I do not know what state you're in and that may be different
By the way, the same applies to Federal and national parks. Photographs for personal use cannot be prohibited but, Federal and national properties and lands can regulate the use of that property for commercial use (civil liability). Therein lies the rub. The definition of what they think is commercial. For example, if Sally takes out her iPhone and takes a picture as opposed to Uncle Harry who is a novice and have tons of money, and decides he wants to take out his $40,000 Hasselblad will the 600-millimeter lens and the park ranger defines him as a professional on a commercial job.
In closing, my disclaimer, everybody here has a different opinion, they should all be respected, and it doesn't hurt to listen to everyone.
Cheers
George Veazey
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