Lewisville photographer confronted at soccer game???

[CallMeAl]

Did anyone see or hear a story about a Lewisville photographer being confronted at a soccer game by parents/police/league officials? I was told Channel 4 ran a story this morning about it, but I can't find any details. Just curious.

Craig

[Roy]

I saw the report on WFAA 10 pm news last night. It wasn't clear to me that he violated any rules except shooting photos and no one knew him, but it was clear that he wasn't welcome yet he stayed to take photos of young girls playing soccer. I hope to hear some follow-up on this report. Sounds like one of those things where you don't just walk out on the field as an unknown and start taking photos at least I hope that's all it is.

[gardener]

I was approached several times last season at the Eastfield soccer fields, most often by huffy parents but also a couple of times by league officials. Told them that I was there to take photos of my granddaughters (which I was) and after some minor harassment, they went on about their business. Oddly enough, it seemed that at times, there was far more attention being paid to the guy with the big white lens (me) than there was to the kids playing.
I was careful to take pics only of my gd's games and not point the camera anyplace else where something weird might have been inferred. Gives you an odd feeling to know that even though you're doing nothing wrong, you're being watched like a hawk over the chicken yard. Kinda spooky but I'll be out there again this season when the granddaughters are and I'm sure that I'll get the same harassment from time to time.

[Twilight Imaging.net]

I get the same thing at my daughters games, watched very carefully...although while running around on the field trying to coach the 4 year olds and shooting at the same time can be trickey?
But ya know...if I saw someone shooting pictures of my baby girls anywhere I'd be there like...well you know. The times now-a-days are very scary.
At the same time, many parents want pictures of their kids... :)

In broad daylight here in Kingwood a few months back an 11 year old boy was riding his bike to school in a busy area...a man grabbed his bike and tried taking the child...luckily he got away, ugh!!

[JamesDH]

Good to know.
I was about to go shoot my girlfriends daughter playing tennis.
I will get some sort of permission before I go now.

I don't think it would be a big deal if my girlfriend was with me as everyone knows her but I've only been to a few of her tennis matches so they probably don't remember me.

I was actually thinking of taking more pictures and putting them on on the web for sale.
What are the implications of that?
Do I need model releases?

Thanks

[CallMeAl]

Technically...no I don't think you do. I shoot sports freelance all the time and sell them via my website. HOWEVER, all it takes is one allegation of anything inappropriate and you could be out of business. I only shoot the little kids now at the request of a parent and then try to market myself to other parents/teams while I'm there and make sure that the parents of both teams know who I am and that I'm there at the request of a parent. I've had no problem shooting that way.

Craig

[xjben]

I think Craig has the right idea...if you have a relationship with the team already (parent that's the client, or your kid for example), that's your ticket to shoot the game...and then from there, you need to to the sales/marketing work to introduce yourself to people, meet the other parents, hand out some business cards, etc... If you portray yourself like a professional business you'll get treated like one, and make more money in the process too.

[Chief]

I was approached 4 times while shooting my 7 year old's co-ed basketball games and when I gave them my email address and also offer them a cd of the shot's they shut up.
No more complaints and a lot of thanks when they see the pictures.

I didn't know I was supposed to make money. I would rather have respect.

Gordon

[David Whatley]

I used to have that trouble till I painted the lens black. Seems the white was calling attention to me.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. This was the email sent out to all parents following the incident:

To: All GLASA Parents/Coaches
From: GLASA Executive Board of Directors

RE: Suspicious Activity Report

The GLASA Executive Board and its Board of Directors wants to remind you that with the Spring 2007 season in full swing we ask that you remain alert to any suspicious activity that may occur at any of our sports complexes. Our first priority is the safety of our young players and we ask that should you or your players ever encounter a situation where you or they feel unsafe you are to immediately notify the authorities. We remind you that all GLASA coaches, assistant coaches, and GLASA volunteers are to now have their NTSSA ID badge visible for all to see at all times. Players are to be advised that they can seek out a GLASA coach or volunteer with these ID badges should they need assistance.

This past weekend we had a young player at Bakersfield approached in the parking lot by an unknown individual and the parents of this player notified the Flower Mound police department. We also have had reports of an individual described as a Asian male, 5'6'', approximately 40/45 years old taking photos at Lake Park of many of our games and players and he is not from our current GLASA approved photographer. This gentleman wears a cap pulled down over his face. We ask that should you see this individual to notify park or GLASA officials as we need to question these actions.

These reports are not meant to alarm but to inform and it is our duty to pass on this information and to ask for your assistance so that the games and practices can continue in a safe and fun fashion. Remember to always be aware of where your children are at all times during games and all practices.

We thank you for your continued support and should you have any questions please contact us.

GLASA Executive Board
GLASA Board of Directors
03/05/07

[PeteQ]

Is there a Lewisville city ordinance that prohibits photography in the park? If not the slippery slope has started. They can have their GLASA approved photographer but I don't see how they can dictate who can take pictures in a public park. If it is a public park, it's not illegal to shoot there but it sure is being criminalized.....

Maybe these athletic groups should start looking closer to home for the real problems. An old link, but relevant nonetheless: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...es/884307.html

[Joe_Lorenzini]

I don't know what an approved photographer looks like. Probably has a pass hanging around his neck.

What I do know is I've been out there with the D2X/70-200 combo shooting my kids games and no one has ever said a word to me (past the obligatory "hey, that's a really big camera"... sigh). That's not a combo that hides well. Of course I only take images of my kids games and I show proper etiquette as far as respecting the field of play (no goalie cams).

In the city parks we play at there is anywhere from 10-20 games going on right next to each other, every hour. It is very chaotic. From what I read into this email, some parent complained and they sent out the email before it became an epidemic.

I know that if anyone asks me to stop taking pictures of my kids playing soccer had better understand how heavy a D2X/70-200 combo is (grin).

That said, myself and other parents are always on the lookout for people of a suspicious nature and I personally have no problem walking up to someone and kindly talking to them about which kid they are there to watch.

_/oe

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

I don't know what an approved photographer looks like. Probably has a pass hanging around his neck.

What I do know is I've been out there with the D2X/70-200 combo shooting my kids games and no one has ever said a word to me (past the obligatory "hey, that's a really big camera"... sigh). That's not a combo that hides well. Of course I only take images of my kids games and I show proper etiquette as far as respecting the field of play (no goalie cams).

In the city parks we play at there is anywhere from 10-20 games going on right next to each other, every hour. It is very chaotic. From what I read into this email, some parent complained and they sent out the email before it became an epidemic.

I know that if anyone asks me to stop taking pictures of my kids playing soccer had better understand how heavy a D2X/70-200 combo is (grin).

That said, myself and other parents are always on the lookout for people of a suspicious nature and I personally have no problem walking up to someone and kindly talking to them about which kid they are there to watch.

_/oe

Ditto... Except I am in Mansfield and shoot Canon. :)

[PeteQ]

Sure, nothing wrong with asking, but what are you going to do when he/she says "None, but this is a public park and I'm just out here taking pictures because it is such a nice day and after all it is a public place and here my little copy of "the photographers rights".

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by PeteQ

Sure, nothing wrong with asking, but what are you going to do when he/she says "None, but this is a public park and I'm just out here taking pictures because it is such a nice day and after all it is a public place and here my little copy of "the photographers rights".

For me, that would be a good thing. At least I would get a better feeling of who I was dealing with and (i suppose) that if he was up to no good, at least he'd know someone noticed him...I guess..I think...uh...LOL