does is happen often that strangers take pictures of you? What to do?

Question

Today while walking near Gneisenaustraße a stranger took a picture of me...I wore a long denim skirt with a blouse and my outfit was pretty casual in my opinion.

Anyway, as I was walking I noticed a man in the distance staring at me. Feeling uncomfortable, I just looked away and started to look at my phone. While getting closer to him suddenly in the corner of my eye I saw him getting his camera out and just taking a picture of me! I finally looked at him then and he just looked into my eyes and then checked out the picture on his cam.

Unfortunately I didn't say anything to him. I heard that in Germany you're allowed to photograph everything that's outside/public but does that really mean that a random man can literally hold his camera right into my face and take a picture of me? It's the second time this year that a stranger took a picture of me with his camera. Last time was two months ago near Ku'damm. The guy crossed the crosslight in front of me and I didn't make it. He then waited till it turned green and I started walking and also just took his camera out and took pictures of me while I was close to him.

It's not that big of a deal I suppose, but it just goes to show what some people can be like and that they think doing things like that is okay. I hate knowing that this stranger took pictures of me and could've put them online or something weird like that.

Has this happened to any of you? Is that kind of normal in Berlin? Should I say something next time something like that happens? Or does it not make sense bc they're allowed to take pictures? I mean they didn't even try to hide that they were taking pictures of me. They literally just took out their cameras! (not phones) and took pictures of me

mariola · Answer

honestly, this isn't normal in berlin in the sense that it's something you should just accept. legally, the situation is a bit murky - you're allowed to photograph public spaces, but taking pictures specifically targeting a person without consent can fall under harassment or violate their right to their own image, especially if it's done in a way that feels intrusive. the guy near gneisenaustraße sounds like he was being a creep, not a street photographer.

next time, you can absolutely say something. a loud "was machst du da?" or "ey, lösch das foto" usually gets their attention and might make them think twice. most people doing this rely on you staying quiet. if they argue about it being legal, just say it makes you uncomfortable and you want them to stop - you don't have to be a legal expert to set a boundary. the ku'damm guy waiting for you to cross is definitely crossing a line, that's stalking-adjacent behavior.

it's happened to me a few times near hermannplatz, usually older guys with big lenses. i usually just stare back and ask if they want my autograph, which is petty but makes them feel awkward. you could also take out your own phone and take a picture of them, that tends to kill the fun real quick. but honestly, trust your gut - if it feels weird, it prob is.

laurahafner · Answer

This has happened to me twice near Warschauer and once at Nollendorfplatz. The legal situation is that you have a right to your own image under the Kunsturhebergesetz, so a random person can't just publish or commercially use your photo without permission. But taking it in public is technically allowed if it's part of a general street scene, not specifically targeting you. The problem is these guys know the gray area and exploit it.

I think the best thing you can do is make a scene. Say "Entweder du löschst das jetzt oder ich ruf die Polizei" loud enough that other people turn around. Even if the cops wouldn't do much, the threat usually works because they don't want witnesses. The guy on Gneisenaustraße sounds like he was testing your reaction, so giving none just confirms he can do it again to someone else.

For what it's worth, carrying a small notebook and writing down the time and a description of them helps. Even if you don't call the police, having that info makes you feel less powerless. I started doing this after a similar situation at Kottbusser Tor and it helped me feel like I had some control back.

viktoria · Answer

yeah that's super weird and not normal at all, even for berlin. i'd say next time just call it out loud, like "ey, foto löschen" or "was soll das?" - most of these creeps bank on you staying quiet. also if they're using actual cameras not phones, that's even creepier tbh, feels more planned out

Neu aus Berlin