Know your stuff

The ethics of portrait photography

1 Respect the different countries and cultures you encounter and learn some of the customs before arriving.

2 Where language will be a barrier, get help from a local guide to negotiate any fees or permission prior to taking any images. In traditional communities, get permission from a local chief.

3 Be extra-sensitive around children, babies, women and animals. 4 Take an interest in the people and engage with them, thus gauging how they feel about you taking their picture. Children, in particular, are intrigued by cameras and most love the interaction and attention. Show them the images on the back of your camera for greater engagement.

5 Be courteous and don’t push when you can see your subject is tired or uncomfortable.

6 Consider the long-term effect of any rewards or payment. At a local school, take gifts of food, stationery and other necessities instead of paying to take pictures. Handing out sweets to children is a bad idea as it creates the wrong expectation.

7 Rule of thumb: if you feel uncomfortable, don’t take the picture.