Photography ethics: minors in a public space

[mdphotography]

As a general rule, I don't publish (non-commercial) photos of minors without parent consent.  But now that I'm getting into surf photography, I see "groms" (young surfers) padding out and having a blast all the time.  A lot of them are good enough to surf the lineup with the adults.  I usually end up with several good shots each session.

I know I can legally publish them.  In the United States, there is no expectation of privacy on a public beach - and it probably doesn't hurt that this is a sport that has a longstanding and well-established cadre of amateur photographers/videographers. 

But is it ethical?  Thoughts and/or links to resources on the same are appreciated!

[justadude · Accepted solution]

If the minors are recognizable, and you don't have the permission of the parents, then don't.  It's not ethical.  It's different if the photos are of adults in a public place.  Even though it's technically legal in the U.S. think how you would feel if someone else was publishing photos of your kids without permission.  

The exception would be if you were hired by the event organizer.  For example, I'm often hired to shoot marathons and triathlons.  Mostly adults competing, but kids as well, and it's my job to photograph as many of the athletes (of all ages) as possible.  Of course, these images are turned over to the event organizer.  As the photographers we are encouraged to post a handful of images on social media on our own personal accounts... BUT, we must include the name of the event, and links back to help promote the organization and future events.  However, for me to post photos of the kids competing without including that information and links, totally unethical.  I should add unless it was my own kids when they were young, or with permission of the parents.

[Tintype_18]

I wrote an article and took photographs about a fly fishing event. Lots of kids. I asked the parents for permission and told them where the article and photos would be shown on a local TV station's online news. Got their OK.

This was a direction from the editor.

[mdphotography]

thanks for the feedback everybody!

[JFG]

Hi mdphotography, 

📸 In the U.S., photography ethics revolve around respect, consent, and truthfulness—balancing creative freedom with responsibility. Here's a breakdown of the key principles:

🧍 Respect for Subjects

• Informed consent is essential, especially when photographing identifiable individuals in sensitive contexts.
• Avoid exploiting vulnerable subjects or intruding on private moments—even in public spaces.
• Be mindful of cultural, religious, and personal boundaries.

🕊️ Truthfulness and Accuracy

• Photojournalism demands minimal editing—no staging or manipulation that alters the story.
• Disclose any significant post-processing, especially in documentary or editorial work.
• Avoid misleading captions or contexts that distort reality.

🧠 Cultural Sensitivity

• Represent diverse communities authentically—steer clear of stereotypes or exoticism.
• Understand the impact your images may have on public perception and social narratives.

🛡️ Privacy and Legal Boundaries

• While photographing in public is generally legal, ethical practice means respecting personal space and didignity. For commercial use, obtain model releases and respect copyright laws.
• Sharing images online? Always credit the creator and ensure subjects are comfortable with public exposure.

🧬 AI and Manipulation 

• With the rise of AI-generated images, transparency about how a photo was created is more important than ever.
• Ethical photographers avoid deceptive practices that could erode trust in visual media.

If you're shooting wildlife, landscapes, or macro work, these ethics still apply, especially when it comes to truthful representation and environmental impact.