Can You Take Pictures of People’s Cars?

Carspotting is fun, and if you bring your nice DSLR or mirrorless camera along, you can get some slick car pics. But what does the law say? Can you take pictures of people’s cars or not?

TLDR; Yes you can. Now, let’s check the fine print including what to do if there is a conflict.

First, a Quick Disclaimer

We are photographers—not lawyers. Please consult with your local authorities for conclusive statements regarding current federal or state laws and regulations in your jurisdiction. 

Better yet, ring a law firm specializing in privacy and intellectual property. And get it in writing, just in case.

Now, with that dry cracker out of the way…

Can You Take Pictures of Other People’s Cars or Not?

Am I allowed to take pictures of other people's cars?

Yes, you can!

That’s it. Problem solved.

But wait, you’d be wise to know the subtle nuances.

When Is It Not OK to Photograph Someone’s Car?

Is it OK to photograph someone's car?

There are some clear-cut situations where you should absolutely not take pictures of cars. Those might be blatantly obvious, but then you can’t say we haven’t warned you.

  1. Never photograph a car crash that you might be driving past. Show some common decency and respect to those involved. 

Humans are wired to be biased towards the negative, morbid, and dangerous. Resist the temptation. Avoid congesting the road and let the professionals deal with it instead. 

  1. Never take pictures of vehicles at or near power stations, TSA checkpoints, military installations, and similar ‘sensitive’ environments. 

Those basic rules of thumb aside, car photography in the wild is pretty fair game. As long as you are on public property, you are usually allowed to photograph anything and everything around you. 

There Are Exceptions to Every Rule…

Can I take photos of other people's cars?

Obvious exceptions include certain parks and memorials. 

Here, you will often find the specific rules of conduct clearly visible on a sign near the entrance. They’ll mostly mention littering and perhaps not using a tripod.

In a nutshell, avoid hanging out at the kindergarten/school/the local bank with your Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens. 

As long as you’re walking around, doing casual, not-creepy, non-intrusive, hand-held photography, you’re in the good.

Then again, it’s smart to do your due diligence and know what to say, just in case there is a confrontation. 

In the FAQs section below, you’ll find the answers to some of the most pertinent questions on the topic of car photography.

Other Articles In This Series

You might be wondering where else you can take photographs. This series of articles might be of interest:

Final Thoughts

YES! You can take pictures of people’s cars and mostly even avoid trouble while doing so.

Common sense and soft skills come a long way. Also, remember that while in a foreign country, you’ll often get the “photo-tourist pass.” 

Knowledge is power. Use your newly acquired superpower responsibly. 

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