You’re driving through Lancaster County or maybe a quiet patch of Holmes County, Ohio. The light is hitting a horse-drawn buggy just right. It looks like a painting. Naturally, you want a picture. But taking photos of Amish people isn't like snapping a shot of a street performer in NYC. It’s complicated.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a minefield.
Most folks think it’s just about being shy. It isn’t. For the Amish, the hesitation around photography is rooted deep in their interpretation of the Bible, specifically the Second Commandment. You know the one—about not making "graven images." To many Amish, a photograph is a form of a graven image. It captures the likeness of a person in a way that can lead to pride or "Hochmut."
Pride is the enemy.
In a community that values "Gelassenheit"—a word that basically means yielding to God’s will and staying humble—having your face plastered on a digital screen or a glossy postcard feels wrong. It’s the opposite of disappearing into the community.
The Theology Behind the Lens
If you talk to a scholar like Donald Kraybill, who has spent decades studying Anabaptist groups, he’ll tell you that the Amish view of photography varies wildly between districts. There is no "Amish Pope" making a single rule for everyone.
Some "Old Order" groups are incredibly strict. If you point a lens at them, they’ll turn their heads. It’s not because they think you’re stealing their soul—that’s a total myth, by the way—it’s because they don’t want to participate in the creation of an idol. Your iPhone is, in their eyes, an idol-maker.
Then you have the "New Order" Amish or some Mennonite cousins. They might be okay with a photo if it’s for a family album or if they aren't the primary focus. But even then, posing is a big no-no. Posing is an act of individual vanity. It says, "Look at me."
The Amish want you to look at the community, or better yet, look at God.
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Why Posed Photos are a Major Red Flag
You’ve probably seen those calendars in gift shops. You know the ones—beautifully lit photos of Amish people working in the fields or children running by a barn.
Here is a little secret: many of those are staged with "ex-Amish" people or people from very liberal Mennonite backgrounds wearing traditional clothes.
Real, practicing Old Order Amish do not pose for photos. Ever.
If a professional photographer tells you they spent a week "embedding" with a family and got them to smile for a portrait, they either found a very rebellious family or they’re stretching the truth. Most genuine candid shots you see in National Geographic or high-end journals are taken from a distance. The ethics of that are... well, they’re messy.
Respecting the "Invisible" Boundary
Imagine you’re sitting in your backyard having a BBQ. A bus pulls up. Thirty strangers jump out and start clicking cameras at your kids. You’d be annoyed, right?
For the Amish, this happens every single day during tourist season. They aren't museum exhibits. They are farmers, carpenters, and mothers trying to get through a Tuesday.
- The Buggy Rule: Taking a picture of a buggy from behind, where faces aren't visible, is generally considered "fine" by tourists, but even then, it’s a bit intrusive.
- The Face Rule: Most Amish will specifically ask that you don't take photos where their faces are recognizable.
- The Consent Myth: You can't really get "consent" from someone whose religion forbids the very thing they are consenting to.
I’ve seen tourists literally lean out of car windows to get a close-up of an Amish bishop. It’s cringe-inducing. It’s disrespectful. Basically, if you wouldn’t do it to a stranger in a grocery store in your hometown, don’t do it in Intercourse, Pennsylvania.
The Digital Age and the "Rumspringa" Loophole
Things are changing. Sorta.
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During Rumspringa, Amish youth explore the world. Many of them get smartphones. They take selfies. They post on Instagram. Does this mean the rules are dead?
No.
It means teenagers are being teenagers. Once those young people join the church through baptism, those phones usually go away, or at least the public social media profiles do. The church remains firm. The older generation still sees photos of Amish people as a bridge to a world they’ve spent 300 years trying to stay separate from.
Interestingly, some Amish businesses have websites now. You might see a photo of a handcrafted table or a plate of food. But look closely. You’ll rarely see the craftsman’s face. They’ll show the hands. Hands are fine. Hands show work. Faces show ego.
Legalities vs. Ethics
Legally, in the United States, you can take a photo of anyone in a public space. If an Amish person is walking down a public sidewalk or driving a buggy on a state highway, you have the "right" to photograph them.
But having the right doesn't make you right.
The ethics of travel photography suggest that we should treat subjects with dignity. If a group of people has a well-known religious objection to being photographed, ignoring that objection for the sake of a "cool shot" is pretty low.
Practical Steps for Mindful Travel
If you’re heading into Amish country and you want to document your trip, there are ways to do it without being "that person."
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Focus on the scenery. The rolling hills of Lancaster or the misty valleys of Geauga County are stunning. You don't need a person in the frame to capture the essence of the place.
Buy the local crafts. Instead of taking a photo of a quilt-maker, buy a quilt. Take a photo of the quilt on your bed at home. That supports the community far more than a digital file on your hard drive ever will.
Ask first, but expect a 'No'. If you are at a farm stand and you really want a photo, ask. If they say no, smile and put the camera away. Don't try to sneak a shot when they turn around to get your change. They know what you’re doing. They aren't stupid.
Look for "Distance" shots. If you must have people in your photos, keep them as small elements of a large landscape. A distant silhouette of a plow team captures the lifestyle without violating the individual's privacy or religious standards.
What to Do Instead of Snapping Portraits
Honestly, the best way to "capture" the Amish is to talk to them. Put the phone in your pocket. Buy some root beer or a bag of pretzels. Ask about the weather or the crops.
The memory of a ten-minute conversation with an Amish woodworker is worth way more than a blurry photo you took through a windshield. You’ll learn more about their world by listening than by looking through a viewfinder.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip:
- Set your camera to a long focal length: If you want buggy shots, do it from a distance so you aren't in their personal space.
- Focus on "Still Life": Photograph the architecture, the laundry on the line (it’s iconic for a reason), and the roadside signs. These tell the story of the Amish without exploiting the people.
- Check for signage: Many Amish-run shops have signs specifically asking for no photos. Respect them immediately.
- Educate your group: If you’re traveling with kids or friends, explain the "graven image" concept before you arrive. It changes the perspective from "they’re being difficult" to "we’re respecting a sacred belief."
- Look for "Amish-approved" media: If you need high-quality images for a project, look for stock libraries that use legal releases from people who have left the church or who belong to more liberal branches that allow photography.
When you respect the boundaries surrounding photos of Amish people, you’re doing more than just being polite. You’re acknowledging that their way of life has value beyond being a backdrop for your vacation photos. It’s about recognizing their humanity on their terms, not yours. Enjoy the quiet. Watch the sunset over the cornfields. Leave the camera in the bag for a while. You might actually see more that way.