While you’re at anime Dallas, you’ll experience all sorts of wonderful sights and sounds – and we want you to be able to capture them for posterity! It’s for that reason that our photography and videography guidelines are pretty relaxed, but we do have a few basic rules that are important to follow, because even while they’re in a public space, our attendees (you) still have the right to some level of privacy.
Public Spaces
While you’re in the larger public spaces (e.g. The hotel lobby, our Vendor Hall), capturing what’s going on around you – in wide shot – is just fine. If, however, you see someone or something (like an artist’s booth) that you’d like to photograph or video in close-up, you need to ask permission. If that person says no, it’s important to respect their wishes.
Smaller Spaces
Taking photos or video in the smaller (or medium sized) spaces, like our panel rooms, are on a case-by-case basis: There is no photography or recording of any kind allowed in our 18+ panels, and there is no recording allowed in rooms that are screening movies or shows. Many other panelists will be happy to let you take photos.
Panelists, performers and programs that do not want photos or videos taken during their program will alert the audience to that preference.
A few limited spaces, like our ConOps, do not allow any video or photography.
In short, keep an eye out for printed policies or listen for verbal instructions about what’s allowed in any particular spot. And if in doubt, feel free to ask!
Final Thoughts
Anime Dallas is held (primarily) in a public space. The convention has staff photographers, and we have numerous members of the press whose job it is to capture images and video of the weekend’s events. Because of that, if you are attending Anime Dallas, you should expect that you might end up in the background of a photo or video. But unless they’ve requested it, no one should be subjected to “paparazzi” treatment. If someone is taking photos specifically of you, without your permission, you should report it to Convention staff, and we will do everything we can to rectify the situation.