The Olney Farmers and Artists Market has reversed course on a photography policy that drew significant backlash from the community just days after it was announced.
Earlier this week, the market posted a message asking visitors not to take photos without permission while at the market. The request prompted more than 100 comments from community members, many of whom questioned the reasoning behind the policy, pointed out that photography is generally permitted in public spaces, or stated that they would not be following the request.
Montgomery Fix also criticized the policy, calling it an “ill-conceived restriction” that “resulted in an overwhelming wave of highly critical comments” and arguing that it was “a farcical attempt to suppress free speech, turning what should be a welcoming de facto public square into a controlled space with petty, absurd rules.”
On Friday, the market announced it was reversing its decision, posting: “We’ve reversed course. Photographs are fine unless a vendor requests otherwise.” The MoCoShow reached out to Olney Farmers and Artists Market manager Janet Terry, who provided additional context behind both the original decision and why it was ultimately changed.
According to Terry, the policy stemmed from an incident involving one of the market’s newer vendors. She said the vendor approached her after a man repeatedly asked inappropriate questions, flirted with her, and took photographs of her. Terry said the vendor told the man she was uncomfortable and asked him to stop, but he refused.
The vendor later returned to Terry in tears after the man came back to the market. Terry said her immediate priority was protecting her vendors and determining how best to respond. Wanting to respond quickly to the incident, she decided to make the Facebook post requesting that visitors refrain from taking photos without permission.
After taking more time to reflect and seeing the community’s response, Terry decided to reverse the policy. She emphasized that she understands people enjoy photographing the market and appreciates when those photos are shared. Under the updated policy, photography is permitted unless an individual vendor specifically asks otherwise.
Terry said her mission for nearly 20 years has been to provide healthy produce and food while creating a welcoming gathering place for the community. She noted that Olney lacks a true central gathering space, and the market is intended to be a place where neighbors, families, and friends can come together and enjoy spending time with one another.
