Strange incident at Epcot today

[ndelaware]

As much as I would hate for someone to be taking pictures of my children, from what I understand the only legal way to keep people from taking pictures of your children is to keep them inside your house.

 

[disneymarie]

As a retired law enforcement if anyone approached me about a photo of dd or dgs, and had a long telescopic camera, I would (now I am of a different training) take him but the camera strap around his neck, have someone get me a CM with security in tow.
Get his story and then have the photos of my child and any others deleted...in fact I would have security confiscate the equipment and let law enforcement clear it up.

Of not for marketing, there are perverts out there using these lenses as we change our children outfits, close up of our teen dd shorts, and tops.
ANY park is a haven for preps.
If you see someone alone taking pictures and have the equipment to zoom, I would let a CM know and they are trained in how to handle this.

Don't let down your parental alarm system because you are in a family fantasy place.

 

[prncess674]

Frankly I am amazed at how many people are assuming the absolute worst. I have had freelance professional photographers take my photo in bars, restaurants, etc. They were all running a side business of selling photos. Yes, this is probably against WDW policies to do this on Disney property without consent. I think if the guy was using the photos for sinister purposes he would have taken the photos and just walked away.

 

[Buckalew11]

I never take pics of people's kids.

However, I have, about 3 times, taken pics at DHS during a street show of adults when A) it is a couple alone, both in show, when no one else is taking photos for them and B) if DH or DW are in show and the other person has no camera with them and it does not appear they have anyone with them taking pics of the moment.

You can't go back and get those moments after they are gone.
Then, I approach them afterward and tell them and they share their email address with me and I send the pics. They always appear grateful and our email exchanges are always nice.

However, I would not do this with a kid. I'm afraid I'd creep the parents out or something. That said, the reason I did it the forst time was because DH had DD at Dollywood when she was little and I was not there. She was selected for a show and he did not have a camera. So, some nice lady did the same thing for us and I treasure those pics since I missed the moment.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

He sounds like a creeper.

 

[jrmasm]

As much as I would hate for someone to be taking pictures of my children, from what I understand the only legal way to keep people from taking pictures of your children is to keep them inside your house.

That's my understand too.

 

[Shutterbug]

As a retired law enforcement if anyone approached me about a photo of dd or dgs, and had a long telescopic camera, I would (now I am of a different training) take him but the camera strap around his neck, have someone get me a CM with security in tow.
Get his story and then have the photos of my child and any others deleted...in fact I would have security confiscate the equipment and let law enforcement clear it up.

Really are you a retired law enforcement person?
You do realize that all that you posted is not right and no law enforcement officer has any right to make any photographer delete any photos a persons camera unless they make arrest and then take your equipment. Could they still make you do delete the photos? yeah sure they can, but do they have the right to? You would have grounds to file a complaint if they did.
And they cannot make an arrest unless actual laws were broken.

If you see someone alone taking pictures and have the equipment to zoom, I would let a CM know and they are trained in how to handle this.

Really again?
You know over on the photography board people are always asking about what lens' to take and how long of a zoom lens to take to Disney.

You know the ones you have to worry about? Its the ones with camera phones. I have relatives in law enforcement and its cell phones with cameras that are being used more often than cameras with long zooms to take those type of pictures.

Now back to the OP's post. I agree with Mickey88. It could be unrelated.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

As much as I would hate for someone to be taking pictures of my children, from what I understand the only legal way to keep people from taking pictures of your children is to keep them inside your house.

Exactly. We were at Epcot on Christmas Day and I had my 6 month old son dressed in a Santa outfit, complete with hat. At least 20 people took photos of him - some asked if it was ok, some didn't. I'm not getting up in arms about the people that didn't ask, though. I know I have photos of other peoples' kids, either in the background or because I wanted a picture of the character they were standing by

 

[stepmommyof1]

In a crowded place you can't help getting strangers in your photos and it's not a big deal.
BUT
Taking pictures of mickey mouse and you happen to get kids in the picture, Is very different than specifically trying to take pictures of some child, where the stranger/child is the subject of the photo.

I don't think anyone is saying it is right/wrong/legal/illegal...all people are saying is that it's CREEPY.
It doesn't have to be illegal for it to be weird and creepy.

Even with the best of intentions, why would someone in this day and age with most people so vigilant about child abuse, try to take pictures of strangers children. The guy may have been totally honest and a good person...but I think it's kind of poor judgement, because if he keeps photographing strangers children without their permission, at some point someone will take it the wrong way and think he is some kind of kidnapper or pervert. And he may be totally nice, but why open yourself up to those kinds of accusations? It would be awful to be accused of some sort of creepy crime if you were not that type of person. But people will naturally assume things about a man photographing strangers children. I'm not saying it is right. Bit I think that's just how the world is. So why put yourself in that position.

 

[kimmar067]

there is a real possibility that the 2 events are purely coincidental.

If the photographer is on vacation with his family, odds are he wouldn't be emailing pictures until he gets home from vacation.

...not necessarily - many folks bring a notebook or laptop and use it in their rooms....heck, photos can even be sent FROM THEIR PHONES WHILE STILL IN THE PARK!

...ITA with the other posters - definitely get in touch with Guest Services. I don't think the Disney is 'cool' with strangers taking photos of their guests' children, especially without their knowledge or consent...

 

[pigletgirl]

That isn't right. I would report it ASAP!

 

[Carnie]

Um,

 

[dumboiu]

Honestly, I do not think it is illegal to photograph people in public places. The fact that he has offered to send you the photographs says he probably wasn't doing anything nefarious. I do hope he was just a photographer looking for that wonderful picture.

 

[si-am]

It sounds weird for sure, but I'm not sure what there is to report? "Excuse me, but there's a man roaming around the parks with a camera."

What is Disney supposed to do about THAT?

 

[Magpie]

As a retired law enforcement if anyone approached me about a photo of dd or dgs, and had a long telescopic camera, I would (now I am of a different training) take him but the camera strap around his neck, have someone get me a CM with security in tow.
Get his story and then have the photos of my child and any others deleted...in fact I would have security confiscate the equipment and let law enforcement clear it up.

Of not for marketing, there are perverts out there using these lenses as we change our children outfits, close up of our teen dd shorts, and tops.
ANY park is a haven for preps.
If you see someone alone taking pictures and have the equipment to zoom, I would let a CM know and they are trained in how to handle this.

Don't let down your parental alarm system because you are in a family fantasy place.

Wouldn't that be assault? Especially since the fellow had approached you in a friendly manner, with his family in tow, and offered you his contact information? I don't think being a retired LEO allows you a free pass on dragging people around by the neck!

Besides, what's the poor CM supposed to do when you come running up to him, saying, "That guy's got a ZOOM lens! He must be a PERV!" Zoom lenses aren't illegal and neither is taking pictures in a tourist destination.

 

[MICKEY88]

...not necessarily - many folks bring a notebook or laptop and use it in their rooms....heck, photos can even be sent FROM THEIR PHONES WHILE STILL IN THE PARK!

...ITA with the other posters - definitely get in touch with Guest Services. I don't think the Disney is 'cool' with strangers taking photos of their guests' children, especially without their knowledge or consent...

I said Odds are, not defintely.. I stand by that statement. I take my laptop with me, but 'til I upload 1000 or so pictures at night, then copy them to 2 hard drives, so I have 3 copies of alal photos, the last thing I would be doing at night is emailing anyone..

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Like I said...I had lots of strangers taking pics of my kids. There is nothing Disney can do about it - it is a public place and people take pictures. Was it weird that he asked for your email address? Yes. Was it inappropriate that he sent you MLM stuff instead? Definitely.

 

[ols386]

I probably wouldn't give my email address to ANYONE who I didn't know. Especially someone in a huge place like WDW, or anyplace else, for that matter.

I think the situation does seem a bit odd, but hard to tell if that guy was up to something.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

While the guy sounds a bit strange, I think if he was taking pics to do creepy things with them, he would have never approached you. It's the ones who secretly keep pictures of kids that you have to worry about.

 

[MICKEY88]

I'm amazed at the number of people who would try to report perfectly legal activity.

If the guy was a pervert he would have never apporached the parents and showed the pictures, which the OP clearly stated were very nice photos.


MArch 2009 I was at Seaworld with my Adult Daughter, at the end of the day we decided to stop by the dolphin viewing area, while we were watching the dolphins thru the glass, a small child walked up to the glass, one of the small dolphins came up to the child and just stared at her, swam away, then came back and stayed there in a vertical position, it was an amazing photo op. Being a professional photographer I took pictures, then approached the woman with the child, it happened to be her grandmother , I showed her the photos, explained why I took them and offered to email them to her, she was thrilled. She explained that the little girl was autistic and that they came to seaworld often, the little girl had been a little unruly earlier so grandma promised her that if she behaved they would go see the dolphins.

Because I dared to take photos, and risk being called a weirdo, by people who always assume the worst, that family has photos of an amazing moment in time..: