Drawing and Photographing a Person
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Question
Hello, is it permitted to draw or photograph a human figure?
Answer
Hello,
Care should be taken not to draw or photograph a human figure, but there is room to be lenient with half a figure. [Therefore, when taking wedding photos and the like, part of the hand should be hidden behind the back]. However, the custom of the world is not to be strict about this.
Source
Ramban and Ran Avoda Zara, page 43. [Mentioned in Taz Yoreh De'ah 141, note 12, and it is written there not to be lenient against Ramban's opinion], Chochmat Adam, rule 85, section 8, Responsa Maharsham, part 2, sign 35, Responsa Divrei Malkiel, part 3, sign 58.
However, the Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah, sign 141, section 4 ruled that only a protruding image is forbidden, and this is explained in Tosafot Yoma, page 54, commentary "Keruvim", and see Ben Ish Chai, Parashat Massei, section 9, and the custom of the world is to be lenient about this.