Is Photography Allowed During Lockdown?

The productivity of nature photographers has surely decreased during this global lockdown. With going outdoors only allowed for essential reasons, nature photography is something that has had to take a backseat. However, as the UK looks to slowly open up again, we can again ask if photography is allowed during the UK lockdown period.

Politics aside, as of the 10th May the UK has begun a very slow opening of the country. Many are confused as to what it means, but more time outside has photographers asking if they are allowed out with their cameras again.

Disclaimer: This article is an opinion piece and not legal advice – you should do your own research and/or consult with a local authority.

Is photography allowed in the UK outdoors?

As of Wednesday 13th May, you will be allowed “unlimited” amounts of exercise outdoors in England. You can even “sit on a bench in the sun” if you wish too. For those in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, you may be waiting a little longer to get back to it.

According to the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, sports are now also allowed (with people from your own household or alone) including basketball, golf, and fishing. You can even drive to locations further away.

It is therefore relatively safe to assume that photography is allowed – just be sensible about it. Don’t head out with your friends, and instead shoot alone or with someone from your own household.

It’s also worth considering that you’re never going to have a minister stand up and say “yes, photography is now allowed.” If they were to list every single hobby that is now permitted, the PM’s Sunday broadcast would still be going on today.

Heading out with our cameras seems like a “big thing” to us as photographers. We plan for a long time, think about the composition of an image, and find a suitable location. It is therefore easy to think that this is a major undertaking that would need special permission to perform during lockdown.

But to everyone else, it’s just a person with a camera taking a few pictures. There is nothing in the rules and regulations to say that you can’t carry a camera during your unlimited exercise periods, and I think it would be unreasonable to suggest that you can’t.