so I have a bit of a dilemma...photographed this vacant home...owners are angry saying they feel disrespected and that I trespassed. The property is marked but I took the pictures from my car with a 25x zoom lens. The house is also listed on the historical registry. Am I obligated to remove the pictures and can they actually press trespassing charges against me? My family owned this house for over 150 years and it was recent bought in an auction, the new owners seem very unfriendly and want me to "leave them alone" If it matters I live in VT and this is in NH1.


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As long as you shot them from a public place ie public street at street level, there's nothing they can legally do.
If it was a shot on private property they own they have a leg to stand on.

They could still sue you but the law is on your side.

They cannot push trespassing on you. They simply cannot prove it. There is nothing they can do about the pics, either. They were taken from a public street. If they personally were on the front porch when you took the pics, and you did not obtain permission to post them, that is different. But even in that case, the worst that could happen is a cease and desist order. You would not face any legal charges unless you received a direct court order to remove the pics, then ignored said order. I would not be concerned with any threats from them whatsoever, but I also would not engage them. I would not respond to any correspondence from them. However, I would keep anything and everything they write. Record any face to face interaction. Again, do not engage - your only response to anything and everything is "I have not broken any laws". Because if your side is 100% accurate, you have not. You yourself could collect enough evidence for a harrasment case against them.

Thank you so much, everyone! I should also note that the house is vacant and they only stated they felt violated and harassed AFTER the pictures were posted on Facebook(address and location was not posted). I mean if they are that concerned they shouldnt have bought a historical property that is listed and maybe install a privacy fence LMFAO!!

Posted by blackhawk As long as you shot them from a public place ie public street at street level, there's nothing they can legally do. If it was a shot on private property they own they have a leg to stand on. They could still sue you but the law is on your side.

True but:::

Will those images cause a reasonable person i.e. judge, to conclude you had to be on the property to obtain them? I would consider taking them down unless they help you getting a date or prove youre a real man or something.

Anyone can sue anyone for anything. A lawsuit without physical, money damages is most unlikely and if it did get filed they almost certainly will lose.

Prosecution for pic? YES absolutely it has happened to a member right here recently and cost her a shit load of money in fines and lawyer fees and a lengthy albeit probated sentence.


Why does anyone want to take a picture of someone's home anyway, vacant, abandoned, historic register or not. Its somebodies private home. Find something better to infiltrate or do the exploring with permission exploring thing. In the part of the country where I live you get caught doing this stuff (except as noted from a public sidewalk maybe) you end up in the county jail, the e.r. or even the morgue. Not worth it for some amateurish poorly composed digital pics to publish in the Internet man.

Posted by Mr. Bitey They cannot push trespassing on you. They simply cannot prove it.

some of those pics do not prove he was on a public street some with the bushes in the foreground like number 5 with a flash, don't look like "25x" whatever the Hell that means in focal length?

Posted by 2Xplorations Prosecution for pic? YES absolutely it has happened to a member right here recently and cost her a shit load of money in fines and lawyer fees and a lengthy albeit probated sentence.

Is this a tale that can be shared? I would sure like a peek at that case. Or perhaps it is in an old thread somewhere?

Posted by Mr. Bitey They cannot push trespassing on you. They simply cannot prove it. There is nothing they can do about the pics, either. They were taken from a public street. If they personally were on the front porch when you took the pics, and you did not obtain permission to post them, that is different.

Even in that case if they were in the open where they have no reasonable expectations of privacy there's not much they could do. A webmaster might take them down as a courtesy.

Another important point is these images aren't being used for commercial purposes; to directly generating profit as with an ad shoot.
In that case releases would be needed.

Posted by 2Xplorations some of those pics do not prove he was on a public street some with the bushes in the foreground like number 5 with a flash, don't look like "25x" whatever the Hell that means in focal length?

If it's who I'm thinking of they were physically on/inside private property ie trespassing?

Posted by 2Xplorations Why does anyone want to take a picture of someone's home anyway, vacant, abandoned, historic register or not. Its somebodies private home. Find something better to infiltrate or do the exploring with permission exploring thing. In the part of the country where I live you get caught doing this stuff (except as noted from a public sidewalk maybe) you end up in the county jail, the e.r. or even the morgue. Not worth it for some amateurish poorly composed digital pics to publish in the Internet man.

Personally even when street shooting in a public place I get 'permission' from the subject. It may just be a gesture with the cam and a smile.
Those who don’t want shot, I leave be; plenty of fish in the sea. Don't poison the water...
If cops are around I let them know I'm shooting. Sometimes it gets me a better location or even some pics of the cops.

¤I agree with 2Xplorations; houses with people I avoid out of respect.
¤

All that said it's one thing to shoot an image for yourself.
Is sharing it with anyone and everyone really necessary?
Rule#1 People are trouble

Posted by Mr. Bitey Is this a tale that can be shared? I would sure like a peek at that case. Or perhaps it is in an old thread somewhere?

it was widely discussed here before but Im not spilling her name here or any more of the details because I know her online activity was used as evidence

search the South forum maybe cant recall where else

Posted by blackhawk If it's who I'm thinking of they were physically on/inside private property ie trespassing.

yes it was, and the location was similar but not in close proximity to a public street or sidewalk like this one but the pics left no doubt, and were used as evidence

Posted by 2Xplorations yes it was, and the location was similar but not in close proximity to a public street or sidewalk like this one but the pics left no doubt, and were used as evidence

Yikes....

I took pictures because I am working on a family genealogy project. My family built this house and owned it for over 150 years. It had been a tavern, a stagecoach stop and much more. The home sold in auction last year and is currently vacant with little work being done. I had no idea the owners were going to get so angry

I am also a female lol just thought I should clear that up. I posted them on facebook only because many people in the area admire the home because of its historical significance in the community. I am more interested in my family history.

Posted by stephscheersandjeers I took pictures because I am working on a family genealogy project. My family built this house and owned it for over 150 years. It had been a tavern, a stagecoach stop and much more. The home sold in auction last year and is currently vacant with little work being done. I had no idea the owners were going to get so angry

Still sounds like you are ok. 2x and hawk are saying her pics proved her trespass. Your story itself is strong defense, plus their lack of proof. If there is any doubt in your mind, then 2x is right. If for no other reason then your own piece of mind, you can't do any harm by taking the pics down. Or reach out to them with your genealogy story......

Posted by stephscheersandjeers I took pictures because I am working on a family genealogy project. My family built this house and owned it for over 150 years. It had been a tavern, a stagecoach stop and much more. The home sold in auction last year and is currently vacant with little work being done. I had no idea the owners were going to get so angry

I don't think they have a leg to stand on...
Lol, you could always sketch or paint it.
&
FB is nothing but trouble. Need anymore proof?

I successfully pissed off a large portion of a small town yay

Posted by stephscheersandjeers I successfully pissed off a large portion of a small town yay

In that case Steph, take it down and apologize. You can probably find historical pics online, plus Google map images, then just describe condition today. Include positive notes about current owners like their hopes and dreams to restore the home

You can still try and plead your case directly to them regarding you family, project, etc. Open with profound apologies, even though it seems you did nothing wrong. You want/need something, so they will stand by you being the bad guy.... Try on some Maybelline Ass Kisser Red.....

Social media and people in general suck!

I guess it is what it is, I removed them off Facebook but I hope you all enjoy them here. It is a beautiful home and I wish I could had seen it as a tavern...so sad that it is in the condition it is.

Seems so silly to me that the family is that upset over a vacant home and makes me SO suspicious. Makes me feel like they are hiding something LMFAO!!