Why Courts Ban Cameras But Allow Artists

Many courtrooms forbid cameras to protect privacy and decorum, yet they allow artists to draw the proceedings. These illustrators act as the eyes of the public in trials where technology is strictly prohibited.

Because cameras can be distracting and threaten the composure of witnesses or jurors, artists serve as a unique historical record. These professionals often work at high speeds under intense pressure to capture key moments before the session ends. Their drawings are essentially the only visual evidence of what happened inside the room. Interestingly, this tradition has kept a centuries-old art form alive in the digital age.