Can I see your photo permit?

Did you know that if you want to take a photograph in a Chicago park you need a permit?

Seriously!

A while back I was doing a portrait for a friend in Wicker Park, When a person came up and said that commercial photography in Chicago parks were not allowed. I asked, “What makes you think that this is a commercial photo shoot?”. Answer: “Because you are using a tripod”

Seriously!

Well, I knew non-commercial was allowed (and even carried a printed copy of the law in my bag) I told the person this was not a commercial shoot. That was true. I was shooting this for a friend. I stated that I was not getting paid. The young lady was not getting paid and that the photos were for personal use only (she wanted a nice portrait for her web site). It just happened that I liked to use a tripod.

We finished our shoot.

At some point since then, they must have changed the law. Turns out that now, commercial or non-commercial you need a permit. By non-commercial, they are basically saying No Weddings, but by not specifying it as “Retail” (ie: weddings, portrait) photography. They are covering ALL photography.

Feel like taking a photograph at Millennium Park? Hope your camera doesn’t “look” too professional. You will be removed.

The other day John Harrington wrote a blog post “New York City Photo Shoot Permits – Get Over It” in which he states that if you are shooting professionally then think of it as a cost of doing business (CODB). I agree with John. What I don’t agree with is the poor language written in to the Chicago law. I also have to say that without giving the people who enforce these rules with a clear definition of what makes a photo shoot Commercial, Retail or Hobbyist. Then the law is moot.

Cord and Eye Screw available at all hardware stores

FYI: These days I carry around a Eye Screw with a length of cord attached. This makes a great old school alternative to a tripod/monopod. Just screw the bolt to the tripod mount on your camera and stand on the other end of the rope. Pull taunt and viola a steady way to hold your camera

Oh and point of order, as far as I can see, DuPage county does not require permits for Commercial, Retail or any photography

The Photo at top is of Jules Cordet, Taken at Humbolt Park without a permit. The Revolution will be Photographed

This entry was posted on Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 7:00 am. It is filed under Business, Industry News and tagged with Business, chicago, commercial, cost, doing, new york, permit, photo, photographer, photography, portrait, professional, retail, tripod, wedding. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.