Hello all. Wanted to share some info and possibly get some info of about how your experience has been photographing indoor malls and the stores within them.
First off, this has been a hobby of mine for a few years now. I enjoy the process of checking out cool indoor malls, then taking photos of all the shops and the architecture of the mall itself. (Basically to capture how nice the mall looks).
I have noticed that security is very different from mall to mall. They have rules against photography since it’s deemed private property. When talking to security or management of the malls, I find that most malls allow cell phone photos, and not regular cameras, no video recording, and no commercial use (selling photos of that mall). I have actually been asked to leave the mall on two occasions.
When I explain, I mostly take photos just for fun, no people in photos, no sales, and will just upload to maps or Yelp, they usually are okay, but some are very strict. They simply say no.
I find myself now calling the malls before I go and talking to the security supervisor to get permission so it’s not a wasted trip. They usually say no photos, contact mgmt. I do that then they tell me to write an email to mall mgmt explaining what I am doing, when, and why. Most of the time, I never hear back after a nice email.
What is your opinion about this privacy, and do you find yourself contacting security? Or do you just go and take photos? Been curious about what others do who enjoy taking photos of indoor malls. Thanks.
Nice to E-meet you here. Yes !!! That’s the correct thing you are doing. As a local guides,we respect other people’s Privacy. When it comes to taking photos of places for the maps purposes,don’t trespass.
If there are written signs saying no photos then please adhere to it.
Try speaking to the management if you want to take it further to get permission if necessary Do so and if granted use it.
If it’s not granted,it’s not the end of the world and please don’t push it further than that.
If you are asked about the local guide identity,your only proof is your Google maps profile on your phone kindly explain to then and show them,that’s all.
Lastly its not worth getting into trouble posting photos as local guides. Always avoid getting into troubles.
I have gotten into trouble once and I don’t plan doing it again the second time. As local guides it should be relaxing and easy,voluntarily and freely. It’s not worth getting into trouble.
I have experienced 1 or 2 malls asking me to leave or go get permission from the management. I politely declined and made clear that I was doing a service/help to the businesses in the mall (to no avail). I always stand still holding my phone still and holding my breath to get the best possible shots. This might make me look suspicious on the security screens.
Shortly after, I asked a security guy in the next mall if it was OK to take pictures. He almost laughed and said No problems at all.
I do use a mobile phone only. And I never go on trips just to take photos, so I never considered asking for permission before going. Collectively, we could decide to not help Malls with such antiquated policies .
Happily inviting us & also arrogantly answering us as if we are doing criminal offence.
I could easily convince educated securities where in some places, including shops, I had to face even the policemen; interestingly the police scolded the shop owner for calling him, after understanding that I’m a Google Local Guide - in fact the policeman himself was an LG.
However, mobile cameras do not attract much attention.
Just for your company, I’m adding a Mall Photo :
Thank you for tagging me on this. It’s interesting that the policeman himself was a local guide. That will be a great help. A nice story to tell on connect,thank you for sharing it.
If we can create awareness enough to have a few policemen in the LG community that might help us.
Just an FYI, I always follow the rules, and I general I find most mall security will allow cell phone photos, and it’s interesting that lately they usually say as long as it’s a selfie!
I find this strange, however I just let them know it’s a good thing for Google maps since some of the shops are not listed, and perhaps I can help, or I tell them the mall is amazing and some nice photos will make for more attraction, etc.
I try to be super nice, and just hope they say sure no problem then.
I think it’s a win win situation but then again some malls are just very strict.
@StevenBerlin It is amazing that a mall would label itself as “private” and then wish for the public to walk in and spend money. I’ve never experienced any trouble with Security, but I guess I’m a more opportunistic photographer rather than deliberate and planned. So if I see an oportunity I snap a quick photo and move on, but if they’re security personnel around, that is simply not my opportunity. I’ve never been on an extended photo walk like @MortenCopenhagen does, nor a full photo shoot of a mall as some others have reported. Also, taking photos at the shop where I’m making a purchase, can be more easily explained than walking through the mall taking photos of every business in there.
I actually plan my visits to large malls in LA and OC counties since the photo ops are amazing. I have noticed that some security simply state the mall is private property and you cannot take any photos unless you have mgmt approval in writing. Lol. It’s really not my place to judge, however before I go I look at the photos of that mall and there are literally 100s if not 1000’s of photos of the mall and shops, many horrible photos with people’s faces in them.
My approach over the past two years has been to call ahead and talk to security and explain its just my cell phone, no commercial value, and no people. At this stage I usually get a 50% approval to go forward, but sometimes they are instructed to say no, contact mgmt. So I do.
In my email to them, I explain all the above and that I just take them for updating stores and eateries on Yelp and Maps, and it’s just a hobby, no monetary gain. I then try to have a conversation with that manager being super nice, and even offering to meet them there on my day I plan to come, then showing them some of my cool photos. At this point success goes to 90 percent.
I have still been told no by a few malls, and I simply won’t go there then. I enjoy this process actually since many times I make a good connection with mall mgmt, and sometimes they use my photos.
Up until now I’ve preferred a level of anonymity, so I don’t want to be having those conversations with security and management that you’re having.
It’s really not a big deal. You can just call the mall and ask for security and say *hi just wondering is it cool/okay to take some photos of the mall with my cell phone just for fun, no people in photos. If they say sure, just get his name and wrte it down. You are covered. Takes a few minutes only. Either way best of luck
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