“How dare she?!” is the gist of my latest conversation with a friend and fellow photographer (let’s call her Emma) regarding a cold call she received from another photographer in the area whom she had never met or heard of (I will call her Karen in this scenario, for clarity purpose), and the request that ensued.
Don’t let me hold you in suspense any longer. It was about location. Karen wanted Emma to give her the location of the last shoot Emma posted because Karen loved the images. Karen may have thought she was complimenting Emma’s work. That’s nice. But HOW DARE SHE?! RIGHT? If it’s not what you’re thinking, it should be.
Let me explain.
Would a chef just give out the exact recipe of his/her signature dish? They might make you think they do, when in fact they always hold off on the secret ingredient. Who can blame them?! They worked hard to perfect it. Why hand it out and lose the one thing that makes them who they are.
Emma is a family photographer with a signature look of sunset natural light in the North East USA. That’s what she does, and she does it well. Locations are a large part of her style, and what makes clients come to her. She spends a lot of off-shoot time searching and scouting. Location is where a big part of her expertise comes in. She is willing to drive around at all hours to find the right place for the right time of day, and she has the eye to recognize it. She built a collection of places for the seasons and times of her shoots. That’s her secret sauce.
I have asked her for help on locations before. Guilty as charged. But Emma was happy to help me. Why?
Ethics and etiquette.
Wait, what does that have to do with where that pretty red truck was?
Let’s talk about that for a moment (I get very excited about this stuff). And be aware, there’s going to be a little bit of theory here.
I did not study photography in school. Even if all the way through my Law School years and post graduate degree, I wish I had. But the Universe has its ways and I eventually made my way to the camera. It wasn’t all a waste of time, however! I learned a wide array of useful skills. It might come as a shock (NOT!) but my favorite subjects were never the money-makers. I thrived in philosophy, grammar, Constitutional Law, NGOs, and my all-time fave, Ethics. Whoop, there it is.
What are ‘Ethics’?
Ethics are ‘the principles and standards that govern behavior, determining what is morally right or wrong, good or bad.’ The evaluation of actions, decisions, and policies based on their adherence to values such as justice, fairness, honesty, and responsibility. In other words, the principles of right and wrong focused on moral values and integrity with a sense of responsibility. And let’s not forget that some ethics violations can end in legal consequences.
What is ‘Etiquette’ then?
‘Etiquette is the customary code of polite behavior and manners expected in a particular society, setting, or situation. It encompasses rules for social interactions, including how people speak, behave, and treat one another in various contexts such as dining, business, or formal gatherings. It often varies depending on cultural norms but generally aims to promote respect, kindness, and harmony in interactions.’ It’s a mouthful, but in essence think of it as good table manners.
What’s the difference?
I have ethics and integrity if, for instance, I ensure proper credit when reposting someone’s picture. I have etiquette and show respect if I ask for permission before sharing another photographer’s work.
Ethics and Etiquette are parallel concepts that overlap. They are related. Not siblings, cousins.
While etiquette ensures smooth interpersonal and social interactions through shared norms, ethics governs behavior in terms of moral principles. Both contribute to harmonious living but operate on different planes of behavior.
I have a mind that functions on logic. I need to know the rules to apply them (and on occasion break them tastefully), and navigate a field appropriately.
But, hold the phone, didn’t I start this banter on the Karen-who-stole-Christmas? Sure did. How does all that connect?
Ethics vs etiquette in photography
Ethics and etiquette in photography are both crucial to maintaining a professional environment and respecting others.
Ethics can apply to personal conduct and professional practices. Examples:
Respect of consent (ask permission before photographing individuals, especially in private or vulnerable situations, obtain releases when publishing images for commercial purposes)
Truthful representation (avoid manipulating images that misrepresents reality, be honest about the context and purpose of your photographs)
Cultural sensitivity (respect traditions and local customs when photographing in diverse cultural settings, avoid exploiting or stereotyping individuals or communities)
Environmental responsibility (do not harm natural environments for the sake of a shot, follow conservation guidelines when photographing wildlife)
Protecting subjects (avoid photographing or sharing images that could harm someone's reputation, safety, or privacy)
Etiquette is about social grace and consideration for others. Examples:
Discretion (refrain from intrusive photography, especially in sensitive events like funerals or ceremonies, minimize disruptions)
Professional conduct (be punctual and prepared, dress appropriately to blend in or suit the occasion)
Collaboration (respect the needs of clients, models, and collaborators, acknowledge the contributions of assistants or co-creators)
Public spaces (avoid obstructing traffic or creating inconvenience when photographing in public, be mindful of others who may not want to be included in photos)
Respecting boundaries (adhere to "No Photography" signs or rules in restricted areas, respect other photographers’ setups and space)
Ethics and etiquette create an environment in which we can work, establish bases and conditions we can count on. And they apply between photographers as well, to foster a collaborative, respectful, and professional community.
How does it apply between photographers?
Ethics and moral:
Respect for work (avoid plagiarizing or directly imitating another photographer’s work without credit or permission, do not pass off others’ images as your own or use their work without authorization)
Fair competition (maintain honesty when bidding for jobs or discussing capabilities, avoid undercutting prices unethically to monopolize opportunities)
Intellectual property (honor copyright and licensing agreements when using or referencing another photographer’s work)
Constructive feedback (offer honest but respectful critiques to peers, avoiding disparagement or negativity)
Collaboration integrity (share credit appropriately for collaborative projects, be transparent about usage rights and expectations when co-shooting)
Etiquette and courtesy:
Respecting Space (avoid encroaching on another photographer’s setup, allow peers to capture their shots without interference or unnecessary disruption)
Sharing opportunities (when multiple photographers are present, especially in public events, take turns and ensure equal access)
Professional conduct (avoid gossiping or speaking negatively about others in the industry, foster a supportive community by sharing resources or advice when possible)
Avoiding overlap (in collaborative shoots, clearly define roles to avoid conflicts or redundancy)
Courtesy in critique (offer feedback only when asked and do so tactfully)
So long story short, why is it ok for me to ask Emma about locations but not for Karen?
To return to my anecdote about Emma and Karen, why is it better perceived for me to ask than for Karen? Emma and I have a working relationship, a form of partnership and trust in each other’s expertise. I have helped her with lighting advice in the past. I respect the time she spends finding and testing places, she respects my experience with light reading. I was not asking for her secret ingredient, I was asking her for guidance to fulfill to the best of my ability the request of a client in an area where I knew Emma was better. Emma knows she can ask me the same when she needs it.
Karen was asking for the secret ingredient to benefit her own business, potentially creating competition in the same locations. She did not respect Emma’s work and did not offer any kind of relationship to Emma. And I do not mean a trade, I mean a ‘relationship’. Why would Emma share her resources in these conditions and risk losing business?
The ultimate reason why this came about comes from the fact that many people holding a camera or a cell phone do not take the time to consider the responsibility involved. Creating an image is creating a representation, an interpretation, an opinion, a perception that we (photographers) share with the world and as such has ripples, impact.
We have a responsibility to carry best practices, and it starts with each other. With principles, photographers can build trust, inspire creativity, and sustain positive professional relationships. Without a minimal code of conduct, our work becomes a jungle. Consider the ethics (or lack thereof) of paparazzi for instance, the etiquette (or lack thereof) of a crowd pulling cell phones out to capture victims of an accident for ‘socials’ sensation instead of landing a hand. There are grand repercussions to ignoring ethics and etiquette, and I personally prefer to lose a business opportunity rather than bypassing morality and respect.
"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching."
– C.S. Lewis
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