FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Who started the Responsible Photography Collective?
A. The Responsible Photography collective was started by Lori A. Cash and Angela “Angie” Maloney[AM1] . You can read more about how The Responsible Photography Collective started on our About Us page.
Q. How can we help promote the Responsible Photography Collective?
A. Tell people we exist. Pass along our website url. Send us an encouraging message. Perhaps you’d like to write a blog entry or contribute a video for us? If so, contact Lori or contact Angie.
Q. Can we donate to you?
A. No. The Responsible Photography Collective is simply a website run by a couple of people. We do it for the love of photography and for the love of our world. If you really want to support us financially, you’re welcome to contact Lori or Angie or anyone else you see on our pages to hire them, license work for publication, or whatever other services they may offer. If there’s something in particular that you’d like us to discuss, we’re always open to suggestions and would consider a grant to cover expenses in doing so.
Q. Can we hire the Responsibility Photography Collective?
A. No. Again, the Responsible Photography Collective is simply a website. We are not a company. But you are welcome to reach out to Lori or Angie or any guest writer or vlogger who appears on these pages and discuss hiring them. That is strictly between you and them. The Responsible Photography Collective has nothing to do with that.
Q. Why should anybody do what you tell them to do?
A. We have no idea. That’s why we don’t tell anybody what to do. We’re on a journey of figuring out how best to care for this world we all love. We’re just sharing what we’ve learned on our own journeys to make ourselves into forces for good. We’re still working on it. So are you. All we can really ask is that we try our best and learn from our mistakes.
Q. You said something that could do a lot of harm! Shame on you!
A. Like we said, it’s a journey. If you’ve caught us in a mistake, that’s something we probably ought to write about. Contact Lori or Angie and let us know so we can do that.
Q. What harm could I do? I’m just one person.
A. You are one person. But it isn’t just about you. It’s about you and the thousands of people who do the same things. You’d be amazed how often we see where one person did something harmful and numerous others came along, saw it had been done, and decided to do it themselves. This happens a lot with people who decide to build cairns—a type of rock pile that can destroy sensitive habitat for creatures that live underneath them.
Q. How can you be good advocates for responsibility if you do destructive things like driving, using electricity, and flying?
A. We live in the same world as anyone else does. The fact is, it’s designed that way. That doesn’t disqualify us from trying to make it better.
Q. Isn’t photography inherently environmentally destructive?
A. We’re so glad you asked. There’s another term for all the wonderful lens coatings on our gear, the content of lithium-ion batteries, and so on: toxic waste. To keep toxic waste from contaminating the environment, we buy used products whenever possible. Toward that end, Lori and Angie check their local camera shops, MPB, KEH, and the used sections of other major photo retailers before making any purchase. That also has the benefit of saving money too!
Q. Isn’t it illegal to photograph strangers without permission?
A. Nope. At least in the US, the general rule is that you can photograph anything you can see when you’re in a public place. There are exceptions, like taking photos of someone in their own house. The fact is that we’re on candid camera all the time. This legal rule is why shop owners can have cameras monitor the sidewalks outside their shops and it’s why you see paparazzi photos of celebrities out on their daily lives. But we urge people not to be a jerk. If someone doesn’t want their photo taken, don’t take it. You’ll take a thousand more later on.