WNY Models

InSituPhoto · by **InSituPhoto** on June 6th, 2004, 1:20 pm

I was recently shocked to find out that Georgia State Parks required special permits for "commercial" photography. Upon further research, I discovered similar rules in other states and National Parks System. Granted the details vary, the basic gist is that if its anything more than tourist point and shoot, you need a permit. Sometimes its free, sometimes its not...

Has anyone heard if New York State Parks has similar requirements?

Here's a few of the other links I came across:
National Parks Service
California State Parks
Nevada State Parks
Hawaii
Still Photography and Permits

InSituPhoto · by **InSituPhoto** on June 6th, 2004, 2:22 pm

OK, the more I look for answers, the more questions I come up with...

It seems that a LOT of places require permits for photography in public places... cities, towns, counties, state buildings, parks, bridges, etc. I can see situations like a park that gets a lot of wedding photos on a Saturday afternoon, but I would never pay $50 or $100 just to shoot a model in front of the county courthouse for 30 minutes.

This lead me to the next question... as a travelling photographer, what kind of occupational licenses, taxes, etc. might I be expected to pay for shooting in Rochester, NY, for example. If it's a commercial shoot, say a family porttrait session, am I expected to register as a business in Rochester, pay for the various permits and collect sales tax?

I see all these permits and licenses being a real drag for the travelling on-location photographer...

Max · by **Max** on June 6th, 2004, 5:44 pm

I can't answer most of those questions... but I do know that if you look like you are a professional taking pics of a model and a Park Ranger comes by, you might be asked for your permit to shoot in the parks near Niagara Falls. I personally have never experienced such a situation, but don't doubt it exists... I would probably stay away from federal and state parks working in the local parks which are less travelled by tourists...

I guess I am not being much help... sorry...

McKinleyPhoto · by **McKinleyPhoto** on June 6th, 2004, 6:39 pm

Funny this topic came up. Just last Saturday I was stopped by park police while doing a TFP photo shoot at Chittenango Falls State Park. Luckily the officer let me off with just a warning, but it has me wondering what he could have done to me. Give me a ticket? Confiscate my camera? I would like to hear from any one who has any info on the subject. The run in with that officer also raises another question: Can a TFP shoot be considered a commericial deal? I welcome any input anybody might have on this topic

David

InSituPhoto · by **InSituPhoto** on June 6th, 2004, 7:37 pm

Well, as you can see from my profile, www.InSituPhoto.com, 95% of our work is outdoors. Much of it has been in local parks, state parks, national wildlife refuges, public beaches, city streets, etc. Only ONCE did I ever get approached and asked to stop, at a hoity-toity hotel in Tampa. Then again, I would probably have problems with models crawling on top of my baby grand piano too.

As a general rule, I know that retail establishments like malls are off limits. This news about public lands is news to me.

Coincidently, I have had plenty a park ranger, police officer, beach patrol come by during shoots and not say a word. I suspect decency plays into it as well... I am not a glamour photographer, so nothing I do is on-the-edge.

I sent an email to Georgia State Parks, Florida State Parks, and I am looking for contact information for New York Parks. From evertyhing I read, as long as you use common sense (no impacts on the environment, no nudity, no public disturbance, etc.), its fairly simple to get a permit. The key here is that some want hefty fees for that permit... some are free too.

Mr Helper · by **Mr Helper** on June 7th, 2004, 2:23 pm

One way to check on what kind of permit, if any, is required is to check with the local Film Commission. They can also help you obtain a permit if necessary. Sometimes there is no fee for a permit, just a Certificate of Insurance. The KEY word is "Commercial". I recently shot in Miami at the Vizcaya Museums and Gardens. A fee was require (worth every penny!), but there was a HUGE difference between "Personal" and "Commercial" ($75.00 vs $750.00 mim).</p>

NYS Parks can be a real pain for commercial. Fee isn't bad, the bureaucratic BS is daunting. Two weeks in advance minimum, rain date -> another application, can’t do two alternate dates on same permit? Go figure, wait a sec this IS NYS! :angry:

wnymodels · by **wnymodels** on June 7th, 2004, 8:24 pm

I ran into an issue where we were shooting a video at a park and were asked for a permit... we said it was for a college videography class, it was academic and not for profit...

We lied of course, but there was no arguement and no way for them to prove otherwise. If they found out later that it was for profit and wanted to be idiots about it, we figured we'd just tell them it did so good as a class project that we decided to see if it would make some money

But I doubt they'd go through the trouble of trying to prove otherwise... unless there were numerous complaints from competitors. Of course, my posting this here isn't too bright LOL

If Brian T (moderator) reads this thread, he can tell you a few horror stories about shooting at train stations/railroads and being in the Toronto Sun(?) over the ordeal.

Thanks.

djrphoto · by **djrphoto** on June 10th, 2004, 9:31 pm

Well, as always there are a few that blow it for us all. Nevada has the same rules but on top of the fee you also have to insurance. I know this for a fact. This came about because a shooter hired a model and a lion. Lion got testy and attached the model. Happened in the Valley Of Fire north of Vegas. From then on its insurance and permit. If you have anthing that looks like pro equipment you get stopped. Warning to a fine for first time. Repeat offender have had the equipment taken.

Dennis

Rich Z · by **Rich Z** on June 11th, 2004, 10:49 am

Funny that I came asross this post. I will be camping at Letchworth next weekend and I WILL be shooting with the large format. The way I see it, you are paying for admission to a public park and you are doing nothing illegal. If I were to go to the power plant in Niagara Falls I would expect to be questioned about my intentions. I will post any problems that I encounter on my trip.

Rich Z

InSituPhoto · by **InSituPhoto** on June 12th, 2004, 9:45 am

Here's what I got for Georgia State Parks... doesn't help the NYers in here, but there at least seems to be some common-sense out there....

---------------------

Policy for Photography and Film Requests

A Photography (still or motion) Request Form is required for commercial (i.e. publicly seen) photography. This includes, but is not limited to, filming commercials, ~ignorance~, movies, television shows, photography for books, magazines, CD covers, school films, and tourism films.

The Photography Request Form is not required for family photographs even if a professional photographer is employed and is not required for photographs for private use.

Site Managers may approve requests that have little or no impact on site visitors, do not require special hours or access to restricted areas, propose no liability issues, do not move artifacts, and are not for significant profit. If the request does not meet the above criteria, the request should be forwarded to Melinda Ross in the Atlanta Office. Should Melinda not be available, contact the Region Manager, the Assistant Chief of Operations, or the Chief of Operations.

If you have any questions about this policy or a particular photography/film request, you may contact me at 404-656-3877.

Melinda Ross
Contracts Program Manager

Chuckster · by **Chuckster** on June 14th, 2004, 8:47 pm

When I lived in Florida and did a lot of shooting on the beaches in Northern Florida a permit was required. I took out permits twice then figured out if I didn't look like a professional I was able to get away without a permit. I actually encourage the model to bring along a chaperone that can act as a lookout.
Keep your equipment to a min. and do not carry any photography business cards. That will get you ticket and your equipment taken away.
I have trouble crossing the border to Canada and shooting. I have crossed so many times that the customs agents recognize me and do not let me bring my studio lights or large format camera. I have to keep the equipment to a min and rent studio space in Canada. Which reminds me...anyone have a studio available in Kingston or Toronto in July?
Chuckster

wnymodels · by **wnymodels** on August 30th, 2004, 3:57 pm

WNY Models

Ny state parks - photography permits?

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