It is worthwhile for photographers to acquaint themselves with some legal issues that pertain to photographic activities. The Arts Law Centre of Australia has compiled a number of information sheets that give relevant advice. In particular:
- Laws that relate to your rights to photograph places and people in public or on private areas – of particular relevance for street photography https://www.artslaw.com.au/information-sheet/street-photographers-rights/
- Photographing children, these days, can be fraught with potential problems. This is a useful resource to increase your awareness of the relevant issues: https://www.artslaw.com.au/information-sheet/children-in-the-creative-process-vic/
- Laws on copyright are complex and sometimes opaque. This relates both your rights to your own work as well as your rights in relation to use of other people’s work. Here is some advice: https://www.artslaw.com.au/information-sheet/copyright/
- If you are using a model (even if they are a friend or family) you might consider using a model release form. This link discusses some of the issues https://expertphotography.com/photography-model-release-form/. There are lots of generic model release forms available that may suit your needs or that you can customise for the particular uses you have in mind. eg. https://www.slrlounge.com/photography-contract-template/; Photographic Society of America gives a generic form for the purposes of entering images into exhibitions: https://psa-photo.org/useruploads/files/psa_admin/sample_model_release-interactive.pdf . A web search will locate many others.
Note that the artslaw.com.au links above are specifically made for the laws in Australia, and may not be as relevant in foreign countries. If you are planning to travel, it might be worth investigating some issues that are relevant to your destinations.
In some places photography may be restricted – take care near military or police establishments as well as major infrastructure and travel/transit facilities. Recently, in Rome I was forced to delete some images I had made of historic buildings – there were paramilitary/police in the square in front of it, and such people and their gear should not be photographed. One day I was photographing squirrels bouncing around the roadside trees in Leicester, only to be accosted by a military person requiring me do stop and remove the images. Apparently the trees were an avenue outside the walls of a military base. Neither I nor the squirrels were aware of the sensitivities of the area over the 4 metre high brick wall. Travel in India and it is hard not to be assailed by children wanting you to take their photo. Take photos of children in some other countries and you may find yourself arousing suspicion and attracting unwanted attention.
Most places restrict use of cameras in places like airports and railway stations. Photography rights may be restricted in museums, galleries, churches and the like. If you are unsure, it does not harm to ask the locals what is allowed.