Policies Shooting Natl & State Parks

Tom Potter

Hi There,

I've searched online and find different answers. Does anyone know, or can someone refer me to a link, or whatever, that will tell me whether a photographer needs permits to sell for profit, photos of natl and state parks?

Thx,

Tom

denisegoldberg

I just did a search for

photography permits site:www.nps.gov

That search returned different pages for each park. It may be that the policies are the same but I wasn't able to find a National Park Service-wide page. Here's the photography permits page for Independence National Historic Park. I've looked at the pages for several other parks; they are similar but not the same.

Given that there is no relationship between state parks in different states you would need to check state-by-state (if not park-by-park).

--- Denise

Tom Potter

denisegoldberg wrote: »

I just did a search for

photography permits site:www.nps.gov

That search returned different pages for each park. It may be that the policies are the same but I wasn't able to find a National Park Service-wide page. Here's the photography permits page for Independence National Historic Park. I've looked at the pages for several other parks; they are similar but not the same.

Given that there is no relationship between state parks in different states you would need to check state-by-state (if not park-by-park).

--- Denise

Denise, thank u SO much :O)

Tom Potter

Hey Denise and Anyone Else,

I inquired about selling for profit, images of state parks. This is one of the replies I received, in regard to just one specific state park:

"Permits are required for any commercial activity in state parks. If you are selling your photographs, that makes it a commercial activity. Please be aware that you can receive a citation if you sell photos of the park without a permit."

Can I please get your take on this? Would you consider selling scenic photo images to be commercial photography? It has always been my understanding that it would be commercial if the images were used in advertisements, brochures, etc.

Thank You,

Tom

denisegoldberg

Tom Potter wrote: »

I inquired about selling for profit, images of state parks. This is one of the replies I received, in regard to just one specific state park:

"Permits are required for any commercial activity in state parks. If you are selling your photographs, that makes it a commercial activity. Please be aware that you can receive a citation if you sell photos of the park without a permit."

Can I please get your take on this? Would you consider selling scenic photo images to be commercial photography? It has always been my understanding that it would be commercial if the images were used in advertisements, brochures, etc.

I would think if you are making money from selling your photos that would be considered a commercial activity.

Have you looked at the permits? It seems like there is a gray area here in that you aren't selling your photographs in the park - you are selling photographs of the park. Does the permit cover only activity in the park or does it go beyond that?

You might consider getting copies of the permits and consulting an attorney. I wouldn't base a legal decision on guesswork from this forum.

--- Denise

Tom Potter

denisegoldberg wrote: »

I would think if you are making money from selling your photos that would be considered a commercial activity.

Have you looked at the permits? It seems like there is a gray area here in that you aren't selling your photographs in the park - you are selling photographs of the park. Does the permit cover only activity in the park or does it go beyond that?

You might consider getting copies of the permits and consulting an attorney. I wouldn't base a legal decision on guesswork from this forum.

--- Denise

I will have to take a look at the permits. Thanks Denise :O)