I cannot tell you how many times I have gone to a venue with a model and my professional photography gear, began shooting and then being approached by a venue official stating we cannot shoot there WITHOUT a permit. Here are just a few of the places I have been asked to STOP shooting:
- Mid Town Miami
- South Beach
- Boca Town Centre
- Bayside Marketplace
- Hollywood Boardwalk and Beach
- Haulover Park
Photographer Takes Photos of Town Hall, Is Arrested Under Anti-Terror Laws
A few simple rules of thumb on a very complex subject.
- If you are shooting in a “Public Place” like parks, streets, museums, etc., your finished photos must not include any “distinguishable” individuals who have not previously signed a photo release.
- Do I need a permit to shoot in public? Maybe….. Contact your local government or municipalities to find out what process and requirements are as well as any fees you may be charged. I have listed some of the local municipalities contacts at the end of this document.
- If you are shooting on Private property:
- You should receive written permission to photograph on the property. The official document is normally called “Photography Property Release”.
Here are some helpful links for my photography and model friends:
www.ppa.com (Professional Photographers Association) has many sample release documents you can use as your starting point.
How to obtain an official photography/filming permit.
Each location and venue is different, but I would give the following general guidelines:
- At least 1 week to get permit approved
- Costs vary, but expect for MINIMAL shoots at least $150, and the more the shoot feels like a production the MORE it will cost for permit
- You MUST have professional liability insurance and normally provide the venue with a copy of that insurance
- You MUST have a clear game plane of what, where, how, who to present on the permit.
A few local links to obtain permits
Miami Dade County:
FilMiami administers the online permitting for Miami-Dade County and City of Miami Beach facilities, properties, and most other local municipalities. We require a minimum of 24 hours' notice for permits, a certificate of insurance additionally insuring the county and/or city(s) for $1 million of liability, specific information on locations, dates and times, budget information, and information about any other special arrangements that might be needed.
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1486753745761198
City of Miami Film Office
http://www.miamigov.com/film-permits/contact.html
City of Miami Beach
https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Film-and-print-Guidelines-revised-2.pdf
Greater Fort Lauderdale
https://www.sunny.org/film-music-fashion-and-create/industry/permitting/permit-form/
Palm Beach County
City of Hollywood Florida
https://www.hollywoodfl.org/392/Film-Permits
Bayside Marketplace: Miami Florida
https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/apply-filming-and-photography-permit
Florida Keys and Key West
https://filmkeys.com/permits.cfm
Production permits in the Florida Keys & Key West are issued without charge.
If shooting is to occur on private property only, a permit is not required although all production companies are requested to notify the Florida Keys & Key West Film Office regarding their intentions, whether on private or public property.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
http://vizcaya.org/facility-photo-commercial-photography-filming.asp
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
https://www.goldcoastrailroadmuseum.org/photoshoot
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
http://www.filmiami.org/pdf/cape_florida_photo_film_shoot.pdf
What is your other alternative
Be descrete, carry minimal gear, don't act like a professional, pretend you are shooting family, hide, dodge and don't make a spectacle. All of these options are so very hard for me when I am the opposite of most of those things.