Fees for botanical gardens?

Blues fan

I hope this is the right spot for this thread, if not please move it. I am posting this question after a recent news article showed up in the local paper. A local city owned botanical garden is starting to charge photographers $50 an hour to be able to shoot photos. Here is the article from the Kansas City Star

from KC Star:

"Want to have your bridal portrait taken at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens? Or a family photo at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead? Check in, and pay up.
Overland Park now requires a permit and a $50-an-hour fee from anyone taking professional-scale photos in the two public attractions.
The new rule applies to filming or photography that involves equipment ordinarily used by professionals and not normally carried by casual visitors — such as tripods, long lenses, light meters, strobes, props or models. It also applies if the activity takes up more space than, or blocks the path of, normal visitors.
The City Council approved the measure Monday.
The city says unrestricted photography diminishes the public’s enjoyment of the areas.
Commercial photography has increased greatly, and hobbyists frequently set up elaborate equipment and enter restricted areas to take photos, according to a staff report.
Permits must be acquired through the Leisure Services Division."


Has anyone else experienced prices like these for photographers. I can understand some of the issues i.e. people not obeying restricted areas, but I think this has gone too far. I have been to a few botanical gardens in other cities and have not experienced it. St. Louis MO has one of the best botanical gardens and as of last summer they did not have any fees for photographers. In a world where the DSLR is becoming more of a common household item, I think the city here is really putting themselves out on a limb.



I am just wondering if there was anyone that knew of other botanical gardens going to this.




Thanks for letting me vent.

gluwater

This is becomeing more and more common. I would contact the botanical gardens directly to find out the extent of this. Some National parks charge the same fees.

anwmn1

From what I have see this mostly applies to those useing models, taking family photos, or wedding shots. There was a post early summer of 2006 about a popular beach location in California requiring a permit for similar shots. It is partly due to photographers being rude to others that are in or may be in their shot. Obviously everyone is paying to get into a botanical garden- if you want more space or need an area closed off it should be expected you will have to pay for that extra service.
Also photographers bringing all kinds of equipment and/or models are obviously shooting to make some money off the pictures they are taking. Is $50 really that much?

steveL

what I do...
We belong to the Powell Gardens member thing and every so often drive out there to take pictures and walk around. I have asked if it is ok to use a tripod and they haven't had a problem with that (I rarely use one). We always go on a weekday when it is less crowded (we may even be the only visitors there).

I seem to have heard a long time ago that they want professional photographers to check with the staff first. Not certain about that. I imagine that the pro would need to ante up something or get a permit though.

I talked with an artist painting a portrait of his gfriend out there once and I am sure he did not get a permit for that. If I had been a little more forward I could have gotten some great shots of them.

claudermilk

I haven't run into that specific thing (yet). However, I did get asked about my intent when entering one of the gardens in San Diego's Balboa Park (i.e., are you taking shots for commercial use). A reasonable question since I had a camera bag on my back, and the Mamiya on the tripod over my shoulder. I told them (truthfully) the shots were for my personal use & that was the end of it. I did'nt take it any farther than that, but expect I'd have to pay an additional fee if I intended to sell any of the shots...and I figure that's fair since I'll be making a profit off their site by doing so.

BTW, I have heard about the permits for the beach. Considering the limited access & that it's a quite small beach, I can see where a wedding party can disrupt use of the whole area for others--never mind multiple parties at once. I've done some shhots there myself, but go very early & try to keep out of the way and be polite (what a concept).

It really boils down to checking ahead to see if there might be any issues and gaining any permissions needed for what you want to do.

Blues fan

I understand partially what they are doing and why. I have been to this particular garden several times and for the most part it probably won't affect me except the tripod issue. I have taken my tripod several times to help get macro photos. Everytime I have been out there I rarely see any other photogs there unless there is a wedding. I have never seen but understand them wanting to charge for strobes on light stands with cables and such.

I understand the city is trying to limit the number of photographers and make some money by doing so but I think they could have done this a different way. For some photographers this will not be that big of a deal. Just pass it on to the customer and good to go. For the photographer that is just starting or is fairly new to the business I can guarantee it will hurt them, which will end up hurting small businesses in the area.

SteveL, you mentioned Powell Gardens. I have been there several times also and until last year had a yearly membership. I have never had any problems with taking any of my gear. I have seen painters and other artists bring easles and other supplies that most photogs gear look like nothing. Powell Gardens is a great place but since I live in Johnson Co KS its a heck of a drive to get my money's worth.

I wouldn't mind paying a yearly fee or even a daily fee to enter the park if it were reasonable. I feel that $50 an hour is ridiculous though.

I kinow there is not much I can do about it, I was just wondering if there were other parks in the other cities that had this. I have never heard of it before.

Thanks for the replies.