Why I’ve Changed How (and Where) I Work: Rising Crime Against Photographers in the Bay Area
As a professional photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve always been proud to create stunning images in some of the most beautiful outdoor locations in the world. But over the past few years, an alarming trend has made this work increasingly risky—not just for me, but for my clients too.
Violent crime targeting photographers has escalated in San Francisco and Oakland, and the impact on those of us in the industry is real, personal, and deeply felt.
A Snapshot of What We’re Facing
These are just a few of the recent, documented incidents involving photographers and videographers in the Bay Area:
September 2024: A KGO-TV reporter, crew member, and security guard were rushed by armed suspects who stole their camera equipment.
November 2024: Another news crew was robbed at gunpoint in North Oakland—despite having security present.
November 2022: A wedding photographer was pistol-whipped during a session at the Palace of Fine Arts. Another was robbed at gunpoint in the same location in San Francisco just days later.
March 2022: A camera crew was robbed of $35,000 worth of photo equipment near Twin Peaks in San Francisco.
October 2021: A photographer was followed home after shooting at the Golden Gate Bridge and robbed at gunpoint.
July 2017: Photographer Edward French was fatally shot while photographing the view from Twin Peaks—over a camera.
This is not sensationalism. This is our daily reality.
Why This Affects How I Work
These incidents aren’t just heartbreaking—they have forced many photographers, including myself, to rethink how and where we work. The risks are too high to ignore.
Here’s why I’ve made changes to my booking policies and outdoor location availability:
1. Client and Photographer Safety Comes First
Your safety—and mine—are non-negotiable. I can’t in good conscience suggest a location that has a known track record of armed robberies, especially for visibly high-value equipment sessions like headshots or branding shoots.
2. Photography Requires Focus, Not Fear
When I’m photographing you, my focus should be entirely on lighting, posing, connection, and creativity—not scanning the horizon for potential threats. If I’m on edge, the results suffer. That’s not fair to either of us.
3. Equipment Is Expensive to Replace
Much of my gear costs tens of thousands of dollars and is not easily or immediately replaceable—even with insurance. Losing a camera is losing my livelihood. And if the situation involves violence? The damage goes far beyond equipment.
4. Certain Locations Are Now Off-Limits
Due to repeated incidents, I now avoid areas like Twin Peaks, the Palace of Fine Arts, Union Square, the Embarcadero, parts of Oakland (including Lake Merritt and downtown), and select San Francisco landmarks (Golden Gate Bridge, Transamerica Building, Painted Ladies, Salesforce Tower, Palace of Fine Arts) unless we’re working with proper security and during specific hours. These areas, while visually stunning, have proven to be high-risk.
A Higher Minimum Investment for Outdoor Shoots
Because of the additional planning, time, risk, and sometimes need for a hired security presence, I’ve instituted a higher minimum spend for outdoor or on-location sessions. This change ensures that:
We can budget for safety considerations.
We’re able to work in secure environments without compromising artistic quality.
The time, care, and risk involved in executing these shoots is fairly compensated.
How You Can Help
If you’re looking to book an outdoor session:
Be flexible on location—there are many beautiful, safe alternatives.
Understand that security planning is now part of the process.
Trust that these precautions are in place to protect your investment and ensure you feel as safe as possible in front of the camera.
Final Thoughts
Photography should be about creativity, connection, and joy—not danger. I’m committed to offering high-quality, professional work in a way that’s safe and sustainable. While the current climate has made some aspects of my work more complicated, it’s also made me more determined to protect what matters most—your experience, your safety, and my team’s ability to keep doing what we love.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
— Rebecca Wilkowski
San Francisco Corporate + Headshot Photographer
www.rebeccawilkowski.com