🚨❌‼️ These two police officers tried to kick me out of a public street while I was finishing a Christmas photoshoot with a beautiful couple who booked their holiday session in NYC. The street was closed to car traffic so people could enjoy the holidays, walk around, and take photos. I do holiday shoots every December in NYC around the Rockefeller Christmas Tree - capturing proposals, happy moments, surprise shoots, and making the season more joyful for everyone including members of the police department who book sessions with me here every year 🎄
🤦🏻♂️ The officers interrupted me during the session and told me to leave the public street. As soon as I started recording, they changed their tone and began hiding their faces.
👩🏻⚖️⚖️ The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to take photos in public places, including anything visible from a public space. That’s why this is the United States - not North Korea. You can’t just kick people out of public areas for no reason. I hope these officers get better training, learn the Constitution, and stop taking cues from countries built on dictatorship and tyranny.
🤜🏼🤛🏼 Kudos to their “BOSS” who arrived five minutes later, had no issue with me doing a photoshoot on a public street, and treated me with full respect and knowledge of the laws👮🏻♂️
For all the good police officers out there, sending you respects and thank you for your service during the busy Holiday Season 🫡
🎁 Anyways, book your session via link in profile 🥳🗽🇺🇸 #nypd #firstamendment #firstamendmentaudit #christmasphotoshoot #nycphotographer
Experiencing a disruption like being asked to leave a public street during a Christmas photoshoot can be frustrating, especially when you are working within your legal rights. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly protects the right to take photos in public areas, including streets and parks, so long as you are not violating any specific laws or rules like blocking traffic or causing safety hazards. In the situation described, the photographer was conducting a holiday session near iconic New York landmarks while the street was closed to car traffic to enhance public enjoyment during the festive season. This closure generally allows pedestrians to freely move and take photos without interference from traffic. When officers instructed the photographer to leave despite this, it created a conflict between enforcement and constitutional rights. It's important to know that while law enforcement has the duty to maintain public order, they must also respect citizens' constitutional protections. If you are photographing in a public place, you have the right to continue unless there is a clear, lawful reason to ask you to stop or move. Recording interactions with police, particularly when they infringe upon your rights, is also protected, which often encourages transparency. For photographers and individuals planning public photo sessions, consider these tips: 1. Familiarize yourself with local laws regarding photography and public spaces. 2. If approached by police, calmly ask for the specific reason you are being asked to move or stop. 3. Know your rights concerning filming public officials and law enforcement. 4. If you feel your rights are being violated, document the incident safely and seek legal advice afterward. This incident also highlights the importance of proper police training on citizens' rights to avoid misunderstandings and uphold democratic freedoms. Meanwhile, many police officers do recognize and respect these rights, facilitating peaceful and lawful public activities such as holiday photoshoots. Remember, the right to photograph in public fosters creativity, journalism, and personal expression. Advocacy for better awareness and education helps ensure these rights are consistently honored across communities.
