You would be surprised at the number of Places you are NOT allowed to take Photographs when you travel. Apparently, I have done many things wrong, some by accident and others by stupidity, but we will get to that one later on.
Before you say, “but I see these photos all of the time”, remember that most of these are from companies who have paid big bucks, and have fancy lawyers to get all of their copyright and permissions in place. Try screwing with Getty, one of the world’s leading suppliers of stunning photographs, and you will find out pretty quickly that they mean business.
For we mere mortals however, it does pay to be a little more aware of what you can and can’t photograph without incurring the wrath of someone.
Have you done this?
Contents
- 1 Have you done this?
- 2 Airports
- 3 Art Galleries and Museums
- 4 Sistine Chapel
- 5 Mausoleums
- 6 Mosques, Temples, Churches and Sacred Places
- 7 National Parks
- 8 Shopping Malls
- 9 Government Buildings
- 10 People
- 11 Places you just Don’t Take Photographs
- 12 My Stupid Move
- 13 Where else are you not allowed to take photographs?
Did you know that you are NOT allowed to publish night time photos of the Eiffel Tower? That’s correct; you can take numerous daytime shots, and publish them on your social media platforms and your website, but you cannot publish night shots without permission. This is because of the Eiffel Tower light show makes this iconic structure a work of art. As a work of art, it has different copyright rules. Yes, I have taken and published these night time photographs because I was unaware of this regulation.
The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, who manage the Eiffel Tower, states. “Daytime views from the Eiffel Tower are rights-free. However, its various illuminations are subject to author’s rights as well as brand rights. Usage of these images is subject to prior request from the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.”
Airports
You just cannot ever take photographs at airport security checkpoints, bag screening areas, body security booths, immigration counters or through customs. It is just wrong anywhere in the world, and some places will have you behind bars in milliseconds. I know I have often wanted some shots for a story, but I have erred on the fact that I would never be a happy person in a prison cell. We have been strip searched in Sri Lanka, been caught in Japan with over the prescribed amount of alcohol/liquid, been taken to a security room in Sydney, and paid a ‘bribe’ fee in Indonesia. We have had an elephant taken from us because its penis was too big, and been generally through anything that anyone wants to throw at us…but prison ..no thanks.
Art Galleries and Museums
Ok, we all have done the tacky selfie in front of Mona Lisa in The Louvre in Paris …haven’t we? Ok, I did. I was one of the hoards of people with their back to this stunning masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, but I wanted a photograph of her and me. This is allowed here, but not in most other art galleries and museums, and apparently photographing the pyramid out the front at night time is also a no-no.
I did do the wrong thing in Florence, when we went to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze to see Michelangelo’s David. I wanted a photo of his right hand which is out of proportion, and I covertly took it. Because justice bites me in the arse often, it was a blurry photograph and serves me right for disrespecting a national and international treasure.
There is a reason that many art galleries and museums stop idiots like me from taking photos, and that is to preserve the heritage of these works of art.
Street art is different however, and it is worth reading this.
Sistine Chapel
There is no photography or video allowed in the Sistine Chapel, and I didn’t violate this because I was raised a Catholic and thought God would strike me down. There is a different reason, however than just the preservation of the stunning art, and the fact that the Sistine Chapel is a place of worship.
When the Vatican decided to undertake a comprehensive restoration of Michelangelo’s art in the chapel, it was too expensive for even them to do it, and I thought that they were filthy rich. However, Nippon Television Network Corporation of Japan could afford it, and along with the money they also secured all exclusive rights to photography and video of the restored art in the Sistine Chapel. While this deal has expired, the “No Photos! No Video!” rule remains in effect for the Sistine Chapel.
You might like to read some other oddities about Vatican City, right here.
Mausoleums
A mausoleum is a monument enclosing the burial chamber of a deceased person or people, and influential people. I found visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi to be just a little intimidating, and we were definitely not allowed to take photographs inside, and nor would I have wanted to.
Don’t even try it at Lenin’s Mausoleum, because it is very cold in Siberia and that is where you could end up. The Taj Mahal is also a mausoleum in Agra, India and was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his cherished wife. Photos are ok outside but not inside. Stick to your Princess Diana poses out the front.
Mosques, Temples, Churches and Sacred Places
Most Hindu temples will ban taking photographs within the inner sanctum and so will many Buddhist temples, although this varies from one country to another. At the Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong, Australia where we live, certain areas are off limits for photographs, and as a place of worship and meditation, I say fair enough.
Photographing Muslim people at prayer in a mosque is tacky and not allowed. Photographing any people at prayer anywhere is not on. Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code made Scotland’s Rosslyn Chapel famous, and now you are not allowed to take photographs there, FYI.
You need to be careful when photographing sacred places, as there can be restrictions in place. These can violate the native title owners, and I know that there are many sacred Aboriginal sites in Australia, where photography is only permitted with the authority of the elders.
National Parks
I am not sure whether this applies all around the world, but in Australia, if you want to photograph in National Parks, and professionally use these photos, then you need the permission of the National Parks. You need to apply to be able to do this. When we were working in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, and the Royal National Park near Sydney, we had to apply to take photos, and also get permission to use these on our site. In keeping with Australia being a nanny state, “The Australians have even found a way to copyright nature. Photography of Ayers Rock (Uluru and Kata Tjuta) is restricted.” read more here.
Shopping Malls
These are privately owned, and some Shopping Malls get their knickers in a knot if you take photographs. I think they are probably after much larger commercial businesses than just the odd selfie eating an ice cream.
Government Buildings
It is forbidden to photograph The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, for example, and it was probably not wise that I shot/photographed the Parliament in Ankara, Turkey ..but that was nothing compared to me using their Wi-Fi, I guess.
People
This is tricky. You can take photos of most people in the street though common courtesy and their permission should be sought. The photo below, I did have the permission from the man in Palu, Indonesia ..but I don’t always because in theory, I don’t need to. Taking photographs of children is not the best thing to do without a written disclaimer from the parents, I would think. The best thing is to get a Photography Release Form, which, when signed gives permission to publish images of people, including children, as well as certain property. Check what the rules of each country are for these documents.
Places you just Don’t Take Photographs
– power plants
– military bases
– nuclear facilities
– tanks
– submarine bases, and naval ships, and army bases
– some bridges and tunnels in various countries are also in the no-go zone.
My Stupid Move
Now this is when I made a stupid move. We were in a city a few years ago, where the army had taken control of the city. They had set up their little fortresses everywhere and the soldiers were in them playing computer games on their iPads. I thought it was funny to take a photo of this. Gordon did not … and explained …at length … how dumb a move this was. He was right, and I was wrong, and we did some serious deleting.
So we have all probably taken some photographs that we were not supposed to, knowingly or unknowingly. These are just some of the places you are NOT allowed to take photographs when you travel, but more than that it is raising your awareness of some quite unusual ones.
Where else are you not allowed to take photographs?
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U.S. National parks are the same, you need paperwork and permission for commercial photography. Amateur is fine.
Seems to be fairly universal now
Thanks for your informative post, Paula. As a visitor of National Trust UK and amateur I found out, that the trust wanted me to buy licences to publish photos for commercial purposes showing outside landscape areas they own. Even for a photo that was taken from public ground showing a landmark in NT land (Saint Michael’s Mount). And, after a polite request, they informed me, that they do not allow to upload and show photos of NT places at google maps (even if you find a lot of them at this site). For other not commercial purposes at social media it seems to be OK.
It’s becoming a grey area indeed
With all due respect, as a citizen of the United States, I can take as many photos of US public airports as I want. We even have the right to photography the security checkpoint (as long as we do not photograph the imagining screens).
if you read the article, it says military installations, and it says that you cannot photograph at security check points at all, and quite frankly why would you want to?
Oh wow, I had no idea about all of this. I have to be really careful from now on. I remember going to the airport and taking pics of the family, but I guess it was at the entrance to go to the gate and not anywhere else. Thanks for the info Paula, I’ll be pinning this.
Thanks Mary, it does make you more aware for sure.
What a great list! Customs Control is another place to get arrested very easily~
So true. I nearly slipped up recently in Manila, when someone was doing something dumb at Customs and nearly took a photo. Gordon stopped me quickly.
I had no idea about the Eiffel Tower night time photo ban. So many rules. I once had a vendor at a Christmas Market yell at me for taking pictures while on a press trip. The sponsor of the trip really gave him an earful! I get that they’re afraid that someone will try to recreate their work but it was so different and unlikely. He was just being a crab. We ended up chatting and everyone was happy in the end. Thank goodness!
I know, we have markets here and they get very touchy about you photographing. I say I will link to their store, but they are proprietorial or just silly.
Everyone breaks these rules it seems. I wanted a photo of the Sistene Chapel and someone I know had one- but I didn’t feel right using it so we settled for the outside- didn’t look as good, but…
I know, the guilt get to you doesn’t it.
Super interesting post! I am guilty of a couple of these, but I am a rule follower and if their is no photography, I do not take one.
I try really hard to do the right thing, but also have slipped up.
I do try to think carefully about what pictures I put on my blog (and I always ask people if they’re OK for their pictures to be posted publicly). But I wouldn’t have know there could be a problem with national parks – goes to show that you can’t be too careful.
I just remember how many forms we had to have signed and authorised for a big job we had with the National Parks. But then, once the paper work was done, they were so helpful.
I guess we’re all guilty then…I learned so much from you! Thank you!!
Yep 🙂
It’s a wonder that people can take photographs anywhere, with everyone claiming rights to one thing or another. Apparently the owners/designers of buildings in many a skyline also own the rights to the publication of their structures. Sheesh.
I know. The more I researched the more I found. I could easily do a Part 2 and scare every person with a website, or any type of social media account where they could be considered commercial.
I’m a recovering lawyer. My mantra is, “Just because you’re paranoid does not mean they’re not out to get you.” Thanks to you, I am now even more paranoid.;-)
Sorry Suzanne, but it is quite interesting isn’t it.
Oooops. I’ve been a very bad girl.
you and me both, and that is why we will probably get on well.
Raised Catholic it always feels odd to take pictures in a church. I always turn off the flash, and have found that many places will allow photos as long as we do that. We have also learned that it is always best to ask before taking photos of people.
Like you, I suffer from the ‘guilt’ gene. It is the Catholic upbringing for sure.
This was a great, informative post and I was especially intrigued about the Eiffel Tower. I know there are many places where you cannot have a tripod, but the Eiffel Tower at night?!?!? Merde! I’m sure your information is correct, but I don’t WANT to believe it! I’m sure I’m one of MILLIONS of people who have taken pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night….and published them!
I am sure it is for big commercial productions like movies and TV ads, rather than little bloggers, but pays to know.
Fun article to read. Did not know about the Eiffel Tower. Interesting. Back in the day, high speed film was OK in Sistine Chapel. Just no flash. I got some wicked cool photos. Now you are not allowed to but it seems everybody does anyway.
I was too scared I would be struck down in the Sistine Chapel
I thought I would be struck down in the Sistine Chapel
I was sure I would be struck down in the Sistine Chapel, so I didn’t.
This is true about the rights of authors or so called Copyright…
I know this – because I’m a Multimedia Producer – but sometimes it’s difficult to difference.
It is a fine line sometimes.
I tried to take a photo of the outside of Ho Chi Minh’s tomb in Hanoi, from a good 20 or 30 feet away, and was admonished by the soldiers standing outside. Not sure if it was the tomb or themselves that they didn’t want photographed. Maybe both. But that was definitely a no-no.
After this post, I worry I’ll never take out my camera again!
I was so scared at Ho Chi Minh that i was a considerable distance away, and only got a few photos from outside. Then they took our bags anyhow so I was pleased not to have the temptation. It was too hard staying silent too.
I’ve read this a few times now and I find it a timely reminder to think before I start snapping away. The national parks one is particularly surprising. Aus is definitely a nanny state.
Australia is a nanny state for sure. We love our country very much, but boy do we have a lot of rules.
Let me start by saying if there is a No Photographs sign I will (almost always) obey it. I am terrified to take photos of cops, soldiers and military bases. I remember being at Area 51 and dying to take a photo of the gate but chickened out.
Religious places I also will be very careful.
I have great night shots of the Eiffel Tower as I didn’t know about that rule until a year ago.
I also have photos of the Sistine Chapel as no one was stopping us from taking them. Did think it was odd.
Also have the Mona Lisa.
And Ayers Rock (Uluru and Kata Tjuta).
Caught (not literally) a kangaroo as he also jumped in front of our car.
I was in Windsor Castle and obeyed the rule and watched as guards ordered people to delete their photos from their cameras/phones.
I try to do the right thing also, other than the one I confessed to. if anyone would get caught, it would be me for sure.
Hmmmm…I’m usually quite good at respecting photo regulations, but it seems I unintentionally broke quite a few rules on my trip to Australia years ago with all my pics in the national parks and of Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge 😉 #Wkendtravelinspiration
I have also unintentionally broken a lot, particularly in Sydney and the National parks. Check out my ski shots in Australia, and that is National Parks, though owned by Vail Colorado. Wonder how that works. Maybe I am in trouble from both National Parks and Vail.
I had no idea about the Eiffel Tower and certainly didn’t know about the restrictions in Australia about National Parks. This is just plain silly! This upsets me quite a lot actually. Thanks for pointing this out, I will look into it a bit more!
I think the more I research the more I am finding. I may have to do a part 2 based on some of the wonderful comments here, and our further research.
Yes, there are lots of places where you can’t take pictures (or shouldn’t). A number of palaces don’t allow pictures (even outside the palace or on the approach to the palace). Don’t disrespect cultural or historic sites (including antiquities) with silly tourist pictures as this can offend.
It is hard to know sometimes where you can and where you can’t.
In Anaheim they opened up a new market place called the Packing House and after I took a bunch of photos I saw signs that you need a permit. Ugh.
I think we have all done it, and I do think that places are becoming stricter now. At least we are a little more aware.
One more for your collection: the famous Atomium at Brussels, Belgium. Seams ridiculous as it’s one of the main tourist attractions of Brussels, but you need permission to take pictures of it in case you’re going to publish the picture …
I think I have one or two from there. Now i will need to check. Thanks Franz.
I generally do not mind when I am not allowed to take photos in a certain area with good reason. However, what irks me is when I am stopped from taking photos without reason, legal or otherwise. This happens a lot in Nairobi, esp in the CBD. If you start taking photos you are guaranteed that someone will come and harass you.
It is such a fine line. I hate the hassles like you do.
So CRAZY to learn about some of these!! I did NOT know about the night time photos of the Eiffel Tower! How crazy! #Wkendtravelinspiration
I didn’t know about it either until i was doing research for this article. Crazy.
Paula, I agree that we are all guilty of taking a photo that we shouldn’t have taken. I still have issues with public lands being restricted, but other than that I try to follow the rules. I, especially, respect an individual’s right to say no to my query when wanting a portrait. It’s hard sometimes, though.
I also try to do the right thing, except for the statue of David incident ..and people are tricky.
This is very interesting. I never knew about the National Parks. I was taking photos in a food hall in a Tokyo Department Store recently and was told this was forbidden. After being involved in Surf Life Saving for many years you are also not allowed to take photos of competitors (due to the amount of photos being put on child porn sites). You have to have media accreditation to take photos at these events. It’s sad that this is what is happening to our world 🙁
Wow I am in so much trouble. I have photos of both Tokyo Department stores, and Surf Life Saving carnivals here at Wollongong Beach. Can you bring me good coffee to jail please Kathy.
What an interesting post! I learned quite a bit here and do have some oops photos. I’ve heard from people of being admonished for taking a picture of David in Florence. We have many photos of him and everyone around us was taking pictures and there were guards too and no signs. That’s so interesting about Australian National Parks. I don’t believe there are any photography rules in the US National Parks.
I just did some checking on US National Parks, and yes there are different rules in different places. I think, in the main, it is to stop people making feature films and commercials in these stunning environments. I think we could nearly do a collaborative post, on Oops Photos.
Hmmmm… now, I’m wondering if the many photos I have of Uluru on my blog are technically illegal. I did not take photos of the sections with the No Photos signage, but you have me wondering. I was once scolded in a Malaysian grocery store for taking a close up photo of a cookie package with Selena Gomez on it. I’m not sure why. And lastly, I once came across a photo of my child on someone else’s blog. I didn’t know the person at the time the photo was taken (met him via a travel blogger forum later), so it did seem slightly off-putting.
That is not good finding a picture of your own child, and a very real reminder that this is very sensitive ground.
Just so you know all photographs of Uluru have to be passed to be used on a blog or for for commercial purposes. I know this because I am a professional photographer that worked in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park for 9.5 years. They are incredibly strict on it.
Also you are not allowed to use any images that will be for commercial purposes, or publicly displayed in anyway of the inside of Kata Tjuta.
There are huge restrictions on what parts of Uluru you can photograph, even for non commercial use. The fine for photographing a sacred site is $5,000.
Just thought I would help you out, since you were wondering. I am about to apply for my permit to go down and take photographs for commercial purposes. If anyone is going to do it, you must apply at least 2 weeks in advance. For some reason they take a while to process the paperwork LOL.
Thanks so much Rachael. It is good to know, as many of us are pretty guilty of taking the photos in the wrong places. I might republish your response on Facebook just so people are aware of what is the status. Much appreciated.
I am pretty sure you are not allowed to photograph the Harbour Bridge for commercial purposes without paying a fee. Every blogger in Sydney probably breaks that particular rule. You are definitely not allowed to take photographs inside a courtroom in NSW. I remember reading recently about a woman who spent several hours in custody for contempt of court just because she took a photo of her friend on a jury.
You are correct and same for the Sydney Opera House.How commercial usage is determined may put us all on dodgy ground. I would never even think of taking one in a court room, let alone when court is sitting.
Great post – didn’t know about the Eiffel Tower regulation – oops! I can’t believe the paperwork I had to fill out to photograph Uluru (about 24 pages) and even after the visit I still had to send images through to be checked. One side-on shot (taken from a fair distance) was rejected unless I cropped a corner of the rock out because that corner was sacred. Swear I’ve seen plenty of side-on shots of the rock taken from the same angle in publication.
I hear you. We had so much paper work to fill out for the National Parks too. Guess they haven’t seen my skiing shots yet, as the ski fields are in the National Parks.
Some interesting ones here I certainly didn’t know about. I can understand why especially spiritual places, but it’s a shame for some like the Eiffel Tower at night when it could be brilliant free advertising for them (although I suppose they don’t need it advertising really!).
I find in the UK, most places are pretty open. I’ve found recently a few National Trust places that don’t allow them inside – where the furnishings/decorations are owned by the family and not the National Trust. And another that I went to specifically to photography a flower festival but when I arrived, found after paying the extortionate entry fee that no photos were allowed inside the building (even though I just wanted close ups of flowers which wouldn’t show the decor/building). It would be lovely if places told visitors this clearly on websites, then it’s easy to know and you don’t get stroppy people on turning up (not that I’ve ever got stroppy of course).
I agree some places do not let you know until you have paid for the privilege to enter. Another one I just remember was when we were in Quebec and they were filming Beauty and the Beast outside our hotel. Of course I was taking photos, until they went nuts at me. Public space but I was not allowed to photograph the stars.
Hi Paula,
Folks working on-set do not like folks taking pictures because it can spoil the plot, costumes, characters appearing, set, scene, etc. Obviously B&TB is a movie that is well-known but this rule applies to any movie or TV show set. Papz & fans sometimes get away with it because they can at times take photos when the actors are on set and in between breaks. Also depends on the level of the movie/show. High budget films are stricter. However, no photos can ever be taken when the cameras are rolling. They can even call security and have you removed if you continue 🙂
I get it but it was so exciting watching the filming. The security did shut me down as I was video the final scene. Bad Paula