Photographing in department stores

10 years 5 months ago #315103 by Luca
I was just told not to take photos while I was in a Macys home store. I was taking photos of furniture and just thought this was not right :S


I have never been asked to not take photos


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10 years 5 months ago #315131 by effron
Well, its their property, no?

Why so serious?
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10 years 5 months ago #315147 by garyrhook
There was another thread about this a while back.

It's private property, and it's their merchandise. Why would you think you have any right to take photographs at all, without permission?


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10 years 5 months ago #315185 by StephanieW
I'm assuming with an actual camera and not a cell phone? People rarely have problems taking pictures with cell phones but you whip out your dslr and people get weird sometimes. Why were you taking pictures of the furniture if I may ask? Because couches and stuff aren't exactly the most exciting subject matter and the staff might not have understood why you were doing it. Heck, I don't understand really.


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10 years 5 months ago #315243 by Luca
I should have clarified earlier, it was with my cell phone. I was taking a photo of a few items to send to my wife so to see what she thinks. If it was with a DSLR, yes I can understand why I might get approached. But this case, I thought it was wrong. I even showed the rep, the photos and showed the text messages showing the messages to my wife and the photos of the couches and glasses I was interested in.


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10 years 5 months ago - 10 years 5 months ago #315255 by Ulrich Brodde
The reason, why photographing usually is not allowed in department stores, supermarkets etc. is that the management does not want to give opportunity to thieves to work out plans which things might be interesting to steal and how they can do it best.
With photos it is easier to plan the best moments to steal (how many employees are working at which time), plan escape ways, knowing where are observation cameras etc.

As nobody can differ always in normal customers, being interested like Luca, and the others mentioned above, photographing is not allowed generally.

And yes, also heavy sofas, chairs, TVs and other stuff is stolen in department stores.
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10 years 5 months ago #315275 by Hassner
Although theft is a BIG problem in South Africa, staff is normally very understanding and knows when you are taking wide shots or product shots.


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10 years 5 months ago #315483 by icepics
In my area there are department stores that have signs posted at the entrances that say photography is no allowed. As others said it's their product/merchandise and up to them what policies they establish.

Sharon
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10 years 5 months ago #315513 by I shoot RAW
I've never had any issues with taking photos inside stores. Matter of fact this is how my wife and I communicate often when shopping. Might have been a clerk just in a bad mood.

Wasn't me :)
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10 years 5 months ago #315717 by Joves
Well it is not only stores but malls as well. And it is their right to restrict all activities on their property. There are also other reasons such as worrying about competitors shooting displays, and such. It happens.


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10 years 5 months ago #316153 by Silver Fox
Joves makes a good point. Now personally I have not experienced this, perhaps it was just a rep who was feeling the need to be a pain


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10 years 5 months ago #316647 by StephanieW
Wow, cell phone photography? Yeah, they have a right to do that, but I text pictures of items to people all the time. It's their right, sure, but sometimes I like to coordinate purchases with people. Weird. :/


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