Insta-famous: how can we stop people taking Instagram photos outside our house?
Question: We live in a period terrace house in a picturesque street. The houses are all beautiful and over the years people have always taken photographs of the terrace and properties. However, now we have young people staging photoshoots right on our doorstep — they can be there for hours with props and changes of clothes.
We seem to have them outside our house all the time as we are right in the middle of the terrace. My neighbour says these people use the photos on Instagram and make money from them. Can we stop them doing this?
Answer: The people you describe are possibly “influencers” on Instagram or another video- and photo-sharing app. They can use their account to market and promote brands, for which they are paid by the brand.
Your terrace will provide a great backdrop for such marketing photos — hence this influx into your neighbourhood.
Instagrammers in Notting Hill
People have photographed your property in the past but your problem now is that the photographers are acting in a more intrusive manner.
You cannot stop them taking photos from the public highway. The photographer creates the photo and owns the photo and the copyright.
However, if anyone sits on your boundary wall or on any steps to your home, or stands on your land to take photos, then that can amount to trespass.
If this is happening, try putting up a sign indicating that your land is private property, request respect for your privacy and warn that court action can be taken for trespass.
If the public highway, the pavement or access to your property is frequently obstructed by these people and their props, you could report it to your local police.
These answers can only be a very brief commentary on the issues raised and should not be relied on as legal advice. No liability is accepted for such reliance. If you have similar issues, you should obtain advice from a solicitor.
If you have a question for Fiona McNulty, please email legalsolutions@standard.co.uk or write to Legal Solutions, Homes & Property, Evening Standard, 2 Derry Street, W8 5EE. Questions cannot be answered individually, but we will try to feature them here. Fiona McNulty is a solicitor specialising in residential property.