National Anthem

[5thGenTexan]

Tomorrow night for the first time our Cub Scouts are going to "help" the Troop with flag detail at the varsity HS football game.  Is it disrespectful of me to take photos of the Scouts during the National Anthem?  It's the kind of photos we kind of need to put out in the community but I don't want to be a jerk.

[ParkMan]

I've always found that photographers get a special license to take pictures during ceremonies like that.  Its important to record moments like those.  Just be purposefully and dignified when you do it and you'll be fine.

[BAJ]

I agree — I did some event photography over the years semi officially and the key is what Parkman said about being “purposeful and dignified.”  As I got better equipment, I generally went to longer/telephoto lenses to record ceremonies so I could still get good photos from the periphery of the event to limit how intrusive I was being as much as I could, but the key is how your behavior and body language convey that you are recording the event and the participants versus the now caricature of the cell-camera wielding parent blocking everyone’s view to get a snapshot of junior...

[qwazse]

Photographing the color guard: cool.

Photographing players and audience: not cool.

[Eagle94-A1]

I would ask who is in charge at the event. As long as you are allowed, yes. As @ParkMan stated, photographers tend to get a pass. HOWEVER if it is posted or you are told no photography, then don't. I have been to events where they don't want photography, and when people do it anyway, it screws it up for everyone else. I couldn't see one of my son's receive First Communion because of folks taking pictures. And I wasn't the only one. One of my Eagles stated no photography except for the  professional, at his wedding, and then posted pictures taken by the pro that had been ruined by people taking photos at some of the wedding she did.

[5thGenTexan]

I took a few photos tonight.  Can't see my kid because he was on the other side of the Flag.