Lady taking photos at the park - concerned

[supasoup]

Yesterday at the park me and my ds was just leaving when a lady stood and took a picture of a little boy on his bike. I thought they were together but then the Lady thanked the mother of the child and walked away.

I smiled at the lady with the child and she asked me if that lady asked for a picture of my ds. I said no and laughed. Apparently the lady had spent the last 30 minutes walking round taking random pictures of children some from a distance some close up. No one questioned her.

Now I'm worried that she has pictures of my ds and many others without any consent.

What can I do about it?
Now I'm worried!

You can’t do anything about it now. All you can do is be aware in future and challenge anyone that’s making you uncomfortable.

And if she does? What are you worried about?

It is perfectly legal to take photos of children in public without parental consent. There is no expectation of privacy in a local playground.

So a random woman in the park asked a mother if she could take a photo of her child and this mother said yes?
How bizarre

What are you worried is going to happen as a result?
She may be a photographic student or someone doing an art project. Maybe photos for a commercial brochure. Photos from a distance are unlikely to be identifiable. She had obviously asked the other mum's permission for a close up.

What exactly do you think you can do about it now?
No point thinking about it now if you see her again maybe ask her what she’s doing?

She may be a photographic student or someone doing an art project. Maybe photos for a commercial brochure. Photos from a distance are unlikely to be identifiable.

My first thought was that she must be a photographer if some description!

@Farwest

It is perfectly legal to take photos of children in public without parental consent. There is no expectation of privacy in a local playground.

This. What is worrying you op?

Are you worried about?

If she was being open and saying thank you etc it hardly sounds suspicious. If there was a dodgy motive I would expect there to be some subtefuge

There's nothing you can do. It's perfectly legal for people to take photos in a public place and you have no legal reasons to ask them to stop or to see them unless they are indecent.

It sounds like the photographer had asked that mother if it was okay anyway? You wouldn't thank someone if you were taking a random photo from a distance without them knowing?

what are you worried about though?

I'm worried that she has photos of my ds!
Why would I be happy about that?

If I said a man was doing this I bet you would all be more concerned.

I would be uncomfortable with that too. I wouldn't want my children images uploaded to in the internet or even for someones private consumption.

Its odd she didn't tell the mother what they were for.

@Farwest

It is perfectly legal to take photos of children in public without parental consent. There is no expectation of privacy in a local playground.

Incorrect. Children have a legal expectation of privacy even in public spaces.

However this lady was asking permission. She was granted it. What exactly are you afraid of?

@scrambledcustard

I would be uncomfortable with that too. I wouldn't want my children images uploaded to in the internet or even for someones private consumption.

Its odd she didn't tell the mother what they were for.

Exactly my point!

I'd be nervous about someone hiding and sneaking pictures, but openly and publicly, no, anyone can take pictures in public without asking permission. I'd assume she was a photography student or someone promoting parks or excercise.

There was obviously some communication/permission discussed between the photographer and the other mother, so she wasn't exactly being sneaky. It doesn't sound worrying to me. Even if she did get a snap of your child, what harm could it do?

It would have been better if someone asked at the time why she wanted it. Photographer/journalist for local newspaper is my guess.

And yes if it were a man I would think there is a slight possibility he was a creep. So would apply the same to the woman. Not much you can do now though but can understand you feeling uneasy.

For all I know she could be taking the pictures for someone else for god knows what reasons. Possibly me thinking the worst, but still possible!

Its unclear whether the woman was suggesting the photographer was taking photos with or without permission?

Incorrect. Children have a legal expectation of privacy even in public spaces.

No. Not when it comes to photos in the UK.

www.blpawards.org/competition/photo-rights

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/taking-photographs-in-public-places/

Shit OP you are right! I think there may have even been some strangers at the park who saw your child as well. Best not go out in future lest anyone cast their eyes upon him!

Loads of people will have a photo of your child. She had consent to take a close up of the other child. Maybe a bit weird, but you're unnecessarily over reacting. What exactly do you think she is going to do with a photo taken from a distance?

However if you really think there's something nefarious going on, report it to the police and they might investigate if they think it's sinister in any way. I doubt they will find any red flags in this particular incident, but if it makes you feel better then log it with 101.