Leave No Trace + Get Permission · The Shutter Society

Leave No Trace + Get Permission

I was out viewing a property for an upcoming photoshoot recently and while talking with the property owner, she shared a story that really stuck with me.

Another photographer had shown up with a group of high school seniors, pulled over on the side of the road, and began taking photos on private property — having the students sit on people’s fences, hang from posts and signs, and use décor as props.

Unfortunately, the students ended up damaging several signs and decorations.

I cannot stress this enough: please adopt a “leave no trace” practice — and if you’re shooting on private property, GET PERMISSION.

Imagine if it were your home and a photographer you don’t know brought clients onto your front lawn, posed them on your porch, moved your furniture around, and had people standing on your chairs. My guess is you’d be more than a little upset.

This doesn’t only apply to homes. We see it often with popular outdoor locations too — beautiful flower fields or scenic areas where photographers allow clients to trample flowers or climb structures. What was once a gorgeous location becomes unusable for everyone else.

When you hear photographers talk about “gatekeeping,” this is often why. It’s usually not about competition — it’s about protecting locations from being damaged or shut down entirely due to repeated misuse.

Recently, I photographed a college graduate at our local library. I didn’t just show up and start shooting. I called ahead and obtained permission. I’ve done this with many locations.

Asking goes a long way.

Some places may require:

*Prior approval

*A location fee

*Proof of liability insurance

It’s always better to ask first than to show up, get kicked out, or worse — damage someone’s property and hurt our industry’s reputation.

If we want to be treated as professionals, we have to act like professionals — even when no one is watching.

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