
The difficulty comes in taking pictures of the Amish
Amish
The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German Anabaptist origins. They are closely related to, but distinct from, Mennonite churches. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.
Do the Amish take pictures of themselves?
Just as the Amish do not carry personal photographs or display them in homes, they do not want others to take photographs of them. Many visitors to Lancaster County, find it difficult not to do so. Yet, if there is one thing that appears to frustrate the Amish, it is tourists attempting to take their picture.
What is it like being an Amish woman?
There is so much that is worse than farming and rearing livestock out there. The Amish women, more than the men, have been a major source of intrigue for the world. They are usually clear skinned, simple and without any kind of enhancement to their face. They do not photograph as it’s considered vain; something the old order abhors.
What is the purpose of this website about the Amish?
The purpose of this website is to promote Lancaster County as a great place to live and a fascinating place to visit. In doing that, we share a lot of information about the local Amish and their culture. When we cover the Amish, our desire is to do so in a respectful way that honors their culture and their beliefs.
What are some examples of Amish advertising?
Amish typically feature images of their businesses, products or farms and homes in advertisements for their products. Calendars produced by Amish businesses, popular among Amish themselves, often feature such images as well.

What happens if you take a picture of an Amish person?
If you ask an Amish person for permission to take their picture, most will politely say no, as this could be construed as a willingness to pose. Most Amish say they could care less if people take their picture, provided the photographers are respectful.
Can you photograph Mennonites?
Mennonites have no problems or issues with photography - this is well established. Wherever you got your information is either outdated or incorrect. What you say is in general true of Amish but not of Mennonites. having their photograph taken.
Why do Amish not like their pictures taken?
Considering it a violation of the Second Commandment, which prohibits the making of "graven images," the Amish believe any physical representation of themselves (whether a photograph, a painting, or film) promotes individualism and vanity, taking away from the values of community and humility by which they govern their ...
What are the Amish not allowed to do?
They are known for their strict rules involving dress. Old Order Amish communities often prohibit the use of buttons and zippers, for example. They also wear dark colors, mostly black. The communities regulate hair length, men must grow beards an acceptable length, and women are not allowed to get haircuts.
What religion does not allow photographs?
Learn More About the Pennsylvania Amish. They want to be remembered by the lives they lived and the examples they left, not by physical appearance. Just as the Amish do not carry personal photographs or display them in homes, they do not want others to take photographs of them.
What are Mennonites restrictions?
Today these groups are among the most conservative of all Swiss Mennonites outside the Amish. They stress strict separation from "the world", adhere to "strict withdrawal from and shunning of apostate and separated members", forbid and limit cars and technology and wear plain clothing.
What is the difference between Amish and Mennonite?
Amish people live in close-knit communities and don't become part of the other population, whereas Mennonite lives as a part of the population not as separate communities. Amish strictly follow the non-resistance, whereas Mennonites follow non-violence and are known as peacemakers.
Are Amish allowed to use electricity?
In Lancaster County, the Amish population is OK with using electricity, but they reject the grid that brings it into most Americans' homes. That's because they want to maintain a separation from the wider world. The Amish believe this life on earth is part of their journey to heaven.
Why are Amish photographs prohibited?
The Amish hold humility as a highly-cherished value and view pride as a threat to community harmony. Because items such as personal photographs can accentuate individuality and call attention to one's self, they are prohibited from the home.
What do Amish believe about pictures?
Moreover, the Amish believe that photographs in which they can be recognized violate the Biblical commandment, "Thou shalt not make unto thyself a graven image.". They want to be remembered by the lives they lived and the examples they left, not by physical appearance. Learn More About the Pennsylvania Amish.
Do Amish people carry pictures?
They want to be remembered by the lives they lived and the examples they left, not by physical appearance. Just as the Amish do not carry personal photographs or display them in homes, they do not want others to take photographs of them. Many visitors to Lancaster County, find it difficult not to do so. Yet, if there is one thing that appears ...
Why don't Amish people take pictures?
Not really, no. The real reason Amish people don’t like their photos taken is because they have strangers taking their photo like they are animals in a zoo. How would you like to be on a street and hear someone say ,, “Hey,, look at that strange looking guy,, take his picture as a souvenier.!” You probably wouldn’t like it. As far as I know, the Amish do not keep cameras or take photos as they also consider it to be vain. However, if you ask to take a photo for a legitimate reason, they might say ‘yes.” I don’t believe it is actually against their religion. It’s just something they don’t do.
What language do you need to learn to be an Amish?
The person needs to learn Amish German (Pennsylvania Dutch) to read their texts and to participate in religious functions.
Do Amish believe in having images of themselves made?
The Amish do not believe in having images of themselves made. Specifically this applies to all Amish adults. As an adult member of an Amish church the thought is that this passage from scripture forbids this… “Thou shalt not make unto thyself a graven image.”
Do Amish people shield their faces?
In fact this is often a point of let’s say frustration with Amish who live in and around tourist areas like Lancaster county Pennsylvania. The issue at hand is that many Amish make a living off tourist dollars, yet have issues with tourists taking their picture. It is not uncommon to see Amish men shield their faces with their hats or turn
Do Amish have to have their picture taken?
The Amish don’t forbid having their picture taken. That’s a myth.
Is Amish bigotry racist?
I would not use the word racist to describe their bigotry. The Amish have little to no exposure to anyone who is not white and when they do, they tend to lump them into the same category as everyone else: not Amish. Non-white people are a novelty for sure and you’ll see the children staring rudely (the idea that staring is rude is not taught to the Amish), but they won’t place black non-Amish people below white non-Amish people, at least in practice.
Is it illegal to take pictures of Amish people?
Legality comes into play with what you do with the picture. The picture may become illegal if you use it for profit without the consent of those in the picture (Amish or not).
What is the largest Amish community in the South?
In Ethridge they drive these oversized tour wagons, pulled by a sturdy pair of horses. They are about the biggest horse-drawn tour transport I have ever seen. Ethridge is the largest Amish community in the South (well, depending if you consider Kentucky Southern or not), and draws a good amount of tourists.
Who drove the Amish tour buggy in Tennessee?
While yesterday’s video showed us an Amish tour buggy driver, here we see an English one, Sam Pollock, taking a wagon-load of guests through the settlement. In Ethridge they drive these oversized tour wagons, pulled by a sturdy pair of horses.
Is the Swartzentruber Amish the same as the Amish?
As always, it should be said that Amish are not all the same, far from it. The Swartzentruber Amish are arguably the plainest and strictest of Amish groups. So it stands to reason they might have some of the strongest feelings on photos (though that is questionable, as I’ll show below…).
Do Amish seek photos?
Officially Amish are not going to seek photos, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate them on some level. Also, we might assume that just because the Swartzentruber Amish are likely the most conservative Amish, that they would be the most photo-shy of Amish.
Do Amish speak religiously?
You do see plainer Amish speak in heavy religious terms sometimes. For example, in one instance, a Swartzentruber Amishman described a smoke detector as “a devil on the wall.” Other Amish (plain though not Swartzentruber) have called livestock tagging “ the mark of the beast “.
Do Amish people appreciate photography?
And as Karen’s comment suggests, some (many?) Amish do have an appreciation for personal images (whether they agree to them verbally, or not) captured by this nearly-200-year-old technology called photography.
Is Amish a tourist?
The Amish for their part are quite tourist-friendly here. It is really fun to visit the many farms and stands selling produce, crafts, canned goods and more throughout the settlement. The local Amish Welcome Center has put out an Amish business map in the past, and I assume they are still doing that.
Why do Amish women take pictures?
One reason it is such a feat to capture any image of women from the Amish community is their aversion to photographs. While there are varying views within the community, the more orthodox within the Amish (if that’s even possible) consider photographs as a way of accentuating individualism and drawing attention to one’s physical self. Since the Amish consider the rules of the Bible as literal commandments without any room for philosophical undertones, for example,
What do Amish believe?
The Amish not only believe in hard work and a collective labor, in the sense that the family as a unit works for everyone, but also staunchly believe in self-sufficiency when it comes to food. Every member must partake in running the farms and maintenance of the livestock.
Why are Amish modest?
One reason for the modest type and style of clothing is to achieve humility under all circumstances. They do not watch television or partake in any form of mass communication.
What do Amish women learn?
Women must learn skills like cooking and sewing to assure that they are capable of stitching their clothes. Men are expected to handle the buggy, ride a horse, manage the fields and conduct all sorts of hard labor themselves. The Amish faith is all about pacifism, humility, hard work and prayer.
What is the Amish faith?
The Amish faith is all about pacifism, humility, hard work and prayer. While the old order rests on these pillars and every member of the Amish Church must abide by these principles, it is the act of self-sufficiency in all things that is the crux of the Amish culture. 9. Rumspringa. Via pinterest.com.
What is the Amish way of dressing?
The Amish way of dressing is not just indicative of ideology but also represents their social status. The Amish hat for example is an excellent example of representative attire. A white cap signifies that a girl is unmarried while darker bonnets atop prayer caps show that a woman is married. Despite the recurring theme of purity and practicality, there are clicks that exude a simplistic charm and raw beauty. The demeanor of a woman is important to the Amish; nothing must pull attention to a woman. This idea is one reason why all Amish women have their hair completely covered in public.
How to become an Amish member of the old order?
Becoming a member of the old order requires that the seeker not only get well versed in the Pennsylvanian German dialect but also focus on shedding all worldly luxuries. This is not easy, since all of this must be done under the roof and supervision of a pure Amish family to assure that the seeker has adapted to their way of life.
Is it against Amish religion to be photographed?
Most non-Amish think it’s against their religion to be photographed. It’s actually NOT against an Amish person’s religion to be photographed. The Amish religion does, however, prohibit POSING for photographs.
Can Amish people be photographed?
Some have no problem with allowing themselves to be filmed or photographed as long as it is obvious they are not posing. If you ask an Amish person for permission to take their picture, most will politely say no, as this could be construed as a willingness to pose.
Do Amish people drive up their driveway?
Some Amish have recounted stories of tourists driving up their driveway and boldly walking onto their front lawn to take a photograph. One woman recalled a time when a tourist stopped her buggy and held the reins of the horse until his wife could get a photo!
Can Amish people take pictures?
The Amish religion does, however, prohibit POSING for photographs. Some Amish completely refuse to allow themselves to be photographed. Posed photos in particular may be seen as a show of pride. On the other hand, some Amish make a distinction between having one’s photo taken in a natural setting vs. posing for a photo.
Do Amish take pictures of their children?
Amish often consider photos of their children different than photos of adults. Opinions vary, but many Amish allow photos of children. One reason is that children are not yet baptized members of the church and not necessarily bound by the rules against posing for photos. Numerous professional photographers have featured photos of Amish Children.
