Are you a Landscape or Wildlife Photographer?

Landscape photographers

Many landscape photographers strive to attain pure, unsullied landscapes without human influence, using instead subjects such as strongly defined landforms, weather, and ambient light.

Despite this, there is no pure or absolute definition of what makes a landscape in photography, and as such it has become very broad term, encompassing urban, industrial, and nature scenes. A beach full of parasols and sunbathers can be a landscape photo, but so can the views of a different type of landscape. Waterfalls, coastlines, seascapes and mountains are especially popular in classic landscape photography.

Though many photographs are inspired by traditional landscapes, the term in photography is broader; most places and things can be photographed as a landscape, a kitchen, a lamp, a wall, or even the human body can be turned into a rolling vista by a skilled photographer. A crucial element of landscape photography is the light to the scenery. Preferred times are dusk or dawn, thus meaning that the landscape photographer spends most of his time out on location and at random hours of the day.

As such, with regards to insurance, it is essential that all kit taken with them is insured for being away from the main premises including being taken outside the UK; that the sum insured stipulated on your policy is correct (remember to include any laptops or similar items you may take with you); and you are covered should you decide to leave any kit behind on your vehicle while you pursue that perfect picture.

It’s OK leaving the main premises to go to a venue and taking two of everything to ensure you are equipped, but at the location itself you may not be able to take everything with you and so leave behind the reserve kit you brought with you. Is it covered while it’s in your car and you’re off getting your photos? Only the wording in your policy will tell you.

Public Liability Insurance

Many landscape photographers may not consider Public Liability Insurance due to the nature of their work. But as pointed out earlier, landscape photography isn’t just about catching that panoramic view across the hills in the early hours, or the beauty of a tranquil lake in the evening sun; it’s now embraced other forms and so you could be shooting a city skyline, or a main street. It could be an industrial shot of a functioning factory or simply a street scene in a historic or cosmopolitan town.

If any of these you are at risk of injuring members of the public or damaging other people’s property you should have the cover.

Although you may just be there to take a shot of a crowded street, what happens if you put your camera bag down on the pavement whilst getting the shot and someone trips over it? They can claim against you.

What if you’re higher up and you drop your camera or another piece of kit that item hits someone below? They can claim.

Or, you’re in a public building taking shots of architecture and whilst leaning against something you thought was a secure point, it breaks and you’ve inadvertently broken something of great value? The owners of the building or the item that’s now broken will almost certainly take action against you.

Employers Liability

If you do specialise in the landscape genre, chances are you pretty much work on your own. However, you may get assistance from time to time or have actual employees, in which case you should, by law, have Employers Liability cover. Although the amount of cover provided is large (£10m), the cost is very small in comparison and if faced with any potential claim from an ‘employee’, it would seem like the deal of the century having it as opposed to pay out the costs from a court case!

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