You cant take photos here!

You cant take photos here!

I was wandering around town as usual, capturing street shots and minding my own business when the music of a street performer caught my ear.
I don't usually stop and listen but he was rather good. Anyway, he noticed my camera and asked if I would be willing to take photos of him and send them to him.
"Of course!" I said with glee at being asked to photograph someone.

After about 5 minutes of snapping away, a young man came out of the shop the performer was in front of and said "Excuse me, my manager said you are not allowed to take photos outside our store"...

"Actually, I am legally entitled to, but if you would like, I am happy to explain my rights to your manager. I also do not see you stopping all of these people taking pictures on their phones"

To which he replied "Well, it is coming from the top, my manager, and you are not allowed to take pictures"

This went on for a few minutes and started to annoy me so I invited him to walk up the street and get the police, and at this, the young man started to look very uncomfortable and worried. He was just the messenger after all and just doing what his superior told him to do. So, I decided to just let this one go and move on. No point making a scene and causing issues.

But, what does this say? Why am I being told not to take photographs and no one else? is it because I had a "professional looking camera"?
Who knows....

Andy