However: Never argue with people who have guns. (and be sure the pocket camera suggested by #10 has audio)

You don’t have to explain your perfectly legal activities to them.

And the next time you photograph a “terrorist target” bring a pocket camera with video capability. With a neck strap. Throw it around your neck, and switch it on at the first sign of trouble with insecurity guards or police.

Think of it as insurance.

My Name is Howard “Boots” McGhee. I need to bring attention to you both as to what is actually happening within our State Parks and Beaches.
On the weekend of the past Thanksgiving, my niece form Arizona asked me to photograph their family Christmas card. I picked the late afternoon for perfect lighting and around 4pm we went down to Seacliff State Beach, a mile from the house I’ve lived in for 31 years.
I photographed my niece’s family of four under the pier and walked up to walk on the pier. A ranger was talking to another family, a man, his wife and their 2 daughters. They were shooting their Christmas card also. As I walked past he motions me to listen to his interpretation of commercial photography within the state park. We both told him that it was a family Christmas card shoot and that we didn’t or shouldn’t need the permit the ranger said we needed. I thought that was it and then he asked us for our IDs. The other man gave him his license and because I came with my niece in their car, I didn’t have my wallet with me. He asked my name and address, I told him and he proceeded to run our names for what I believe was outstanding warrants. After our names came back clean, he said we could go but gave us a “verbal warning”.
A few days later, after telling my story to friends, I wrote a letter to the Santa Cruz Sentinel on Dec. 2nd. A reporter contacted me and wanted to find out more information and do a more in depth story on it and ran that story on the 3rd. A reporter then contacted me from KPIX TV in SF. And after that, a reporter interviewed me from KGO TV in SF. The following Friday our local radio station here in Santa Cruz asked me to come on for the “Saturday Special” which I appeared on Dec. 5th.
Because of the publicity, many photographers and personal friends have contacted me to share similar experiences with state park rangers hassling them even though they were not shooting commercially. It extends to people simply enjoying themselves on the beach without a camera.
Then a man contacted me and gave me all the info on the law, our rights and what is obviously authority overstepping their bounds.
I’ve learned about TItle 14ccr4316 and what constitutes personal and commercial photography. In his correspondence with me, he linked me to a photography forum where they were talking of my encounter and shared theirs.
Please take the time to investigate these instances and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT PLEASE.
Thank you for your time in this manner.
Howard McGhee

No response as of yet

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/letters/ci_13906024
and
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13915205