Legal Ramifications of festival photography???

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justin1

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Hi all,

I am trying my hardest to get into freelance photography, and to start paying back some of the money i had to fork out for all of my kit.

I was wondering what the legal ramifications of portraiture photography at festivals, ie walking round, taking photos of people, handing them my web details, and then selling them the photos afterwards!? I'm sure you all know what i mean.

Anyone doing it? Can anyone advise me please??


Thanks All
 
Yep you need permission.

Alot of festivals will only allow photographers who are accredited for press purposes (this is particularly true for the bigger ones).

If you don't get permission, they will just ban you from the venue if you managed to get in with a DSLR (which is unlikely, most large festivals will only allow compacts unless the photographer is accredited).
 
I would agree the 8utters that you'll probably need permission, and entering with an SLR is likely to cause questions.

However, let's assume you managed to get an SLR in to the site, didn't get permission and went ahead anyway AND let us also assume that your ticket of entry prohibits commercial photography (most will).

By handing out cards offering to sell images you are in breach of the conditions of entry and are therefore technically trespassing. There is the risk that the organisers could take you to court for damages (lost official photo sales), however, I would imagine this is unlikely both as the costs to them will be large and that it would be difficult to prove the damages. I would expect that the most likely impact would be you would be escorted off site immediately and ultimately forefit any possiblibilty of ever gaining official entry with that organiser to other events.

Ultimately I think it's up to you whether you wish to take that risk and potentially impact your future.
 
To be honest I woulden't bother without permission. All big festivals do full bag searches upon entry these days, so you won't get in without a press pass. I don't think they will allow photographers to sell photos at a festival either, never seen it done before.

I really REALLY want to take my 40D and 70-200 to the Benicassim Festival in Spain this year, and they are very strict about DSLRs, last year my friend was denied entry with her 350D w/kit lens.

I'm gonna try and get accredited though and sell some images to various sources if I manage to secure some deals. And if that fails I will just go and buy a Canon G9 (which to be honest is the most sensible option, I don't want to get my £2,000+ load of kit damaged).

I'm going to be working at V Festival this year actually (selling pies...yay!) but will take my kit along and hopefully won't get myself kicked out :D
 
I did last years Reading festival, not as a freelance just for my own shi** & giggles, no problems at all :)
 
I had my camera at glastonbury last year and probably will do the same this - noone cares there!!!
 
Don't forget if you plan on selling the images commercially you will need a model release. Try approaching the venue first and getting official access, a buddy of mine did and got some lovely results.
 
I doubt you would need a model release if the person buying the photo was the person in the shot.

Also depend what festival you go to, we are all assuming your talking about the big music ones, but I shot Manchester Pride last year, and there were no problems at all, I did have a media pass but they where certainly available to many different organizations and freelance togs.
 
Hi all, sorry I got really busy and didn't have time to respond much.

Thanks for all of the help.

Interestingly I got this response from Glastonbury:

"Dear Justin,

Thanks for your enquiry. We are happy for you to take photos of festival-goers from the public areas as a freelance photographer. You do not need any special pass.

Best wishes,

Crispin Aubrey
Press Office
Glastonbury Festival"


Sounds like a go to me!!!!!!! Now what lenses hmmmmmmmmmmmm????
 
h4rri said:
Don't forget if you plan on selling the images commercially you will need a model release. Try approaching the venue first and getting official access, a buddy of mine did and got some lovely results.
Click to expand...

I didn't think you need a model release form in the UK full stop?

Sounds like a go to me!!!!!!! Now what lenses hmmmmmmmmmmmm????
Click to expand...

Did you tell them you were going to sell them too?

Good luck with that, a free festival (if you get some sales) and extra money too.:D
 
Have taken my dslr to the green man festival, no problems either, but i was just taking pics for myself, not offering them for sale. don't forget to take some waterproofs bothe for you and your camera! good luck
 
justin1 said:
We are happy for you to take photos of festival-goers from the public areas as a freelance photographer. You do not need any special pass.
Click to expand...

I think the term used here from the public areas, means outside and not in the actual venue / enclosed event area, as this is not public. You must purchase a ticket to enter those areas.

I could well be wrong, buts thats how I would interpret that statement, given my 18 years of event security background.
 
Geordi69 said:
I think the term used here from the public areas, means outside and not in the actual venue / enclosed event area, as this is not public. You must purchase a ticket to enter those areas.

I could well be wrong, buts thats how I would interpret that statement, given my 18 years of event security background.
Click to expand...

But at Glastonbury, the whole festival site is the event area (I dont remember any specific gates to access the different stages). I'd interpret this as he's allowed to take photos in around the site, but not in the backstage/press/vip areas. A general addmission ticket would allow access to everything else apart from these specifc areas anyway.
 
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