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| Miraculous Rescue (LAFD Photo by Clyde Cook) |
...the vast majority of images that best tell our story have come from people just like you.
The purpose of this site is threefold:
Let's get started...
- To help you safely and effectively capture photos and video of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
- To suggest how you can best share and display those images.
- To explain how your photo or video can be featured in an official on-line LAFD photo gallery or social media site.
Taking Photos or Video of LAFD Safely
Any person is legally permitted to take photos and video of the Los Angeles Fire Department from public places, as long as such actions do not interfere with emergency operations.
Any person is legally permitted to take photos and video of the Los Angeles Fire Department from public places, as long as such actions do not interfere with emergency operations.
Your choice to travel to and be near an active emergency is a personal adult decision, made entirely at your own risk. In doing so, all applicable laws apply, and you are not in any way considered to be working for, affiliated with or operating under the guidance or authority of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Our agency does not issue any type of Fire Line Pass or Press Credential.
While areas temporarily restricted from public access may be identified by yellow barricade tape or other devices, you should closely follow the directions of uniformed public safety personnel. Photographers are reminded to respect private property rights, so as to avoid charges of criminal trespass. The media may have additional rights of access that are outlined in California 409.5 PC.
Photographers should carefully avoid hazards, such as smoke and water runoff, downed electric lines or incidents involving active violence. Distracted motorists are among the many hazards to those focused solely in their camera view. To avoid injury, we encourage you to remain in a safe public space and to maintain constant situational awareness. To prevent a citation or having your vehicle towed, we ask you to always park legally at a safe distance from the emergency.
While night time camera flash or video lighting is rarely a problem, we ask you to consider how it might impact scene safety, especially for those driving vehicles, operating dangerous equipment or providing care.
Please note: The personal use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) above any active emergency or rescue operation, including wildfire, is expressly prohibited by Federal Aviation Administration regulations that can carry a severe penalty.
While areas temporarily restricted from public access may be identified by yellow barricade tape or other devices, you should closely follow the directions of uniformed public safety personnel. Photographers are reminded to respect private property rights, so as to avoid charges of criminal trespass. The media may have additional rights of access that are outlined in California 409.5 PC.
Photographers should carefully avoid hazards, such as smoke and water runoff, downed electric lines or incidents involving active violence. Distracted motorists are among the many hazards to those focused solely in their camera view. To avoid injury, we encourage you to remain in a safe public space and to maintain constant situational awareness. To prevent a citation or having your vehicle towed, we ask you to always park legally at a safe distance from the emergency.
While night time camera flash or video lighting is rarely a problem, we ask you to consider how it might impact scene safety, especially for those driving vehicles, operating dangerous equipment or providing care.
Please note: The personal use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) above any active emergency or rescue operation, including wildfire, is expressly prohibited by Federal Aviation Administration regulations that can carry a severe penalty.
Personally Sharing Your LAFD Photos and Video
The images you capture belong to you. While publicly sharing them is a personal decision, we ask you to consider how the image and any caption or description will best convey the situation you experienced, while respecting the dignity of those directly involved in the crisis.
The most widely shared and respected emergency images carefully avoid graphic portrayals of pain, suffering, disfigurement or death. If you do capture such images, we ask you to carefully consider the consequences of saving or sharing them.
When you do share photos of LAFD on your personal social media:
How Public Images Are Hosted and Featured by LAFD
The Los Angeles Fire Department has a strong social media presence on many platforms, including an on-line photo gallery that includes many public contributed images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lafd/albums
LAFD operates that site as a virtual gallery, with the hosted images remaining the copyright property of each photographer, who is credited by full name in the cutline (the text description below the picture).
Contributed images may also be shared with name credit to the photographer on official LAFD X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other sites - and become qualified (should you choose) to compete in the LAFD Photo of the Year Contest,.
The images you capture belong to you. While publicly sharing them is a personal decision, we ask you to consider how the image and any caption or description will best convey the situation you experienced, while respecting the dignity of those directly involved in the crisis.
The most widely shared and respected emergency images carefully avoid graphic portrayals of pain, suffering, disfigurement or death. If you do capture such images, we ask you to carefully consider the consequences of saving or sharing them.
When you do share photos of LAFD on your personal social media:
- We encourage you to use the hashtag #LAFD.
- If space permits, also mention our full agency name "Los Angeles Fire Department".
- Please include the date and location (address or nearest intersection) in the photo caption.
- Share related information only if you are certain it is true (e.g. injuries, fire cause, etc.).
- We regularly search for such tagged content, and may comment, re-post or highlight them in accordance with the guidelines of that social media platform.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has a strong social media presence on many platforms, including an on-line photo gallery that includes many public contributed images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lafd/albums
LAFD operates that site as a virtual gallery, with the hosted images remaining the copyright property of each photographer, who is credited by full name in the cutline (the text description below the picture).
Contributed images may also be shared with name credit to the photographer on official LAFD X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other sites - and become qualified (should you choose) to compete in the LAFD Photo of the Year Contest,.
