To ask or not to ask............

[Surrendered Souls]

How do you fellow photographers score an amazing location? I have been turned down 4 times this year when asking for permission to use a specific location as a set for a shoot. 2 hotels, one train station and one gas station.

Do you bother asking or just shoot and run? Or in the case of a hotel do you pay for the room, and shoot under the assumption you are a paying customer and they can't turn you away....? Do you write a letter or e-mail introducing yourself and show your work? I just want to be honest and legit... any advice?

Thanks bunches!

Juli
Surrendered Souls pinups

[Jenna Photog]

Depends on the property. Hotel...you're paying, they don't need to know...outdoors but "private" location...wing it. I've been caught once and I just told them I was a photography student...no harm done. For an indoor private location you'd need permission. i agree with Michael. Just go for it. To be legit you'd have to jump through hoops for permissions and permits...

[Surrendered Souls]

Thanks Jenna, My thought is .. there is a theme hotel that I want to shoot at where each room is a different theme; Jungle, Elvis, love shack, victorain.. .etc I'd love to shoot in each room, If I ask... maybe they would cut me a rate break, or even let me shoot there for free... If I book, it's $300 a night per room. It can't hurt to ask right.... all they can say is NO. Then I'd book the room I want most, and mums the word.

in this economy, who wouldn't like a little advertising?

[Jenna Photog]

Sure, good luck and you're right, the worst they can say is No.


Surrendered Souls said:

Thanks Jenna, My thought is .. there is a theme hotel that I want to shoot at where each room is a different theme; Jungle, Elvis, love shack, victorain.. .etc I'd love to shoot in each room, If I ask... maybe they would cut me a rate break, or even let me shoot there for free... If I book, it's $300 a night per room. It can't hurt to ask right.... all they can say is NO. Then I'd book the room I want most, and mums the word.

in this economy, who wouldn't like a little advertising?

[richardwangphotography]

It's not just a matter of it being "easier to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission."

The interior and sometimes the exterior of a business is considered the owner's trademark and regulated by copyright laws.

If the business or property owner hasn't given permission, you maybe liable legally. And copyright law isn't something you want to mess around with, since potential damages can be huge.

Also most editors will not publish your pictures without a release from the property owner because they don't want to be liable.

And then there's that whole issue of criminal tresspass.

Finally it's just common courtesy. Would you want someone coming into your house and start photographing without your permission?

I have a few places where I shoot on location. A bar and a restaurant, where I'm a patron. A nightclub where the owner's are my "cousins". And a private club, where I'm a member. This means I'm not just someone off the streets and that's a big advantage. Last month, GM paid the restaurant owner $2,500 to use the exterior of his place in television commercial and I get to shoot for free.

If it really came down to it offer to pay for use or do a trade.

Hotels sometimes are an ok place to shoot, especially if it's an older grand hotel, but as a guest you legally can only shoot in the room and not the common areas unless you have permission.

Parks and civic building are always a safe choice. But even then there are issues. Federal parks restrict commercial photography on their lands.

[Surrendered Souls]

Thank you Richard!!! I just want my bum covered!!!!!!!!!!

[Trevor "Slim"]

Surrendered Souls said:

Thanks Jenna, My thought is .. there is a theme hotel that I want to shoot at where each room is a different theme; Jungle, Elvis, love shack, victorain.. .etc I'd love to shoot in each room, If I ask... maybe they would cut me a rate break, or even let me shoot there for free... If I book, it's $300 a night per room. It can't hurt to ask right.... all they can say is NO. Then I'd book the room I want most, and mums the word.

in this economy, who wouldn't like a little advertising?

If your thinking of the sunset in clinton il, you could write to the owner since he's local and thoughoughly explain to him your intentions. You can give him free reign of any pictures he would like to use or have in exchange for the shoot. Also you could also have a waiver made up that he is not liable and is able to review any photos before published.

[Surrendered Souls]

@Trevor, Nope it's in New Hampshire... I live in Maine! and a letter has been written. I'm not going to e-mail it though, I think I am going to snail mail it.