Travel Photo Forum / Discussions

Just consider it being part of the business: you get a picture, they do get money for it. It's like professional posing, esp. in verty touristic countries. I didn't like it either, and hardly ever take pictures of people, but in the meantime, I don't mind to give them a few coins, if it is really worth.
I only take care, if kids are involved, as they are supposed to go to school and learn, and not hang around tourist places, and eventually earn more than their parents.

i am always confronted with this problem in senegal. on one hand there are people who are posing for me expecting the photo print, but on the other hand there are many moslems refusing a photo because of their religion. that's why i often prefer to loose a wonderful motiv and keeping it in my mind instead of creating problems.

I agree with Green Eyez, as a visitor in someone's country I would prefer to have a good memory than risk offending. I do not want to be an 'ugly' tourist.

thank you rob. it is even worse when you live in that country and you can not just be an "ugly" tourist, cos you might see these people again. for sure they gonna ask you for they photo and it's not well seen here to promise something you can't keep. luckily with the internet things are getting easier and more global, cos how can you send a photo to the other end of the world, where they don't even got electricity but a good post service!?

my reaction tends to vary depending on the situation. While i find that paid-for photos tend to be stiff and lacking in charm, i am usually happy to pay for them if there's something i wish to document- eg ethnic costume or someone's appearance, perhaps. The idea of paying for the photo itself is not objectionable to me, as it's someone else's way of making a living, no different from the models in first world countries. In areas where i know local custom is against the taking of photos i always seek consent - it's their right to refuse, after all. Usually i will show them the photo after it's taken, and they have been satisfied with that

I never pay for portraits in those kinds of situations.

I printed my web address on business cards long ago and just hand these out to whoever... Part of the art of photography is seeing those moments, if you ask someone and make them aware, then it's ruined... unless you talk to them at length. I always go and ask people after snapping them. It's kind of like selling them the idea anyway.

Also, in countries where I'm not entirely sure of customs or people, I always take a professional guide who I know well (or has been recommended). If you don't have a budget for an assistant, then having a friend (maybe another friend photographer on the trip with you) pretend to be an assistant, gives them more of an impression that you're a serious photographer (especially if you appear to be 'in charge') and know what you're doing.

On my last trip, I asked someone if I could take their pic and they asked for an exorbitant sum of money (for that country). I told them that I also charge people, and about 5 times that amount, for photos so he settled for one of my cards! (however, the photo came out terribly in the end as he annoyed me during the haggling! lol)

However, if I see someone homeless or poor and I know they're not interested in the internet (or seeing their picture online) then I simply give them some small change.