p.1 #1 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
As I get my business going I just started scouting locations in my area. From what I have found, it appears that a permit needs to be purchased for portrait shoots in both San Jose and Santa Clara County parks. I would prefer to follow the rules and not run into difficulties during the shoot, unless the client wants to take the chance since I would be requiring them to foot the cost of the permit.
I'm building a list of locations to check out and would like to find interesting places to use for portraits shoots where a permit is not needed or if it is, then if it is either free or small fee such as < $20.
Permits are also required for the following:...
Commercial Photography: Black and white or color photography that is performed for profit or may be sold for profit at a later date.
p.1 #4 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
Ernie,
Villa Montalvo, as far as I can tell requires a permit, but there is no fee. However, Villa Montalvo shows up as a Santa Clara county park, which is a $150 yearly permit fee, so I don't know for sure what would happen there.
I hadn't thought about checking Stanford.
From what I can tell between County and City (ex: San Jose), is they first mention weddings, but reading more usually indicates if you are getting paid.
Its very discouraging if you are only just taking portraits of one person to pay to have to pay a fee. Its not like a wedding.
I have a feeling though that most small city parks might not end up being a problem since there are not parking fees or attendants, however I'd suspect not much of interest to use for portraits settings.
Just need to find interesting locations, natural or urban.
p.1 #6 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
Here's the deal. I pay taxes. I pay parking. And if I know that rangers are militant about permits, then I pay. Otherwise, I risk it. That's just me.
I live close to Santa Teresa Park. It's big, and there's beautiful locations there. Below is an example. Parking is $5 or $6 I think, and the rangers are super friendly out there.
Rose Garden is also really pretty. No pics to show you of that.
Downtown is public property, and downtown SJ isn't as militant about photographs as bigger cities like San Francisco. So I shoot there sometimes and never have a problem with police nor businesses. Plus, on the weekends, downtown San Jose is a void and totally dead.
I have nothing to hide, so here's a few locations:
p.1 #7 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
Michael, thank you very much for the links, I will take a look. I appreciate you providing some places to use for location.
The Rose Garden is what prompted this post. I was there last week scouting that location. I have someone who wants to have their photos done there. Cost is $60 for the application and then $40 for a permit.
This is what was found at sanjoseca.gov.
Photo Permit
There are many beautiful areas in our City of San Jose Parks that are perfect for your special photos. Whether it’s a colorful backdrop of roses at the Municipal Rosegarden or the tranquil beauty of the Koi ponds in the Japanese Friendship Garden,City of San Jose parks have a venue suitable for any type of occasion.
Photo permits are necessary for any type of photography or filming in all City of San Jose parks. Wedding, Quinceañera, engagement or family portrait photo permits may be obtained at the Leininger Center,located in Kelley Park, 1300Senter Road, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30 pm. The calendars for our two most popular wedding photo sites, the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Municipal Rosegarden, fill up fast, so it is advisable to plan well ahead of your desired date.
Commercial photography such as documentaries, motion pictures or student filming also requires a permit from the Special Park Use office.
List of fees:
Two hour photo permit – Japanese Friendship Garden,Regional Parks,Neighborhood Parks
$60.00application fee
$40.00permit fee
$30.00 rush fee (if booked after12 noon on the Friday, for the following Saturday, Sunday or Monday)
One hour photo permit fee at the Municipal Rosegarden
$60.00application fee
$40.00permit fee
$30.00 rush fee (if booked after12 noon on the Friday, for the following Saturday, Sunday or Monday)
p.1 #8 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
This is going to sound shady. But I firmly believe in doing what is right, and by paying my taxes, I believe I should have full use and access to city, county, and state parks for any use I see fit (provided I'm not causing damage the property).
Do you classify these people as friends? I refer to almost all of my clients as friends, and in that case, if someone were to approach me about "professional photography", I would just let them know that I am a professional photography, but these (point to your clients) are my friends, and I'm just doing some photos for them. That seems to work quite well, and if I'm being honest, is the truth. I just don't volunteer more information than that.
If push comes to shove, I'll ask them how they know I'm a professional getting paid. If having a Lamborghini makes me a racecar driver, or if having lots of camera equipment or "a big lens" means I'm shooting professional portraits and making millions of dollars for it.
Most people are inclined to step off.
As it stands, mrhoni, I've never paid for a single permit in any of those locations. And long ago I shot in Kelley Park, The Japanese Friendship Garden, the Victorian Museum with all the old houses and such, and Happy Hollow. Now one has ever bothered me.
p.1 #10 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
I totally agree, that it being a public location, why I can't use it for my purpose of portraits. Makes sense for weddings because of the space that can be tied up and reserving the location. Very irritated by this and the more I research the more upset I get.
In the case of the Rose Garden I suspect might be more a likely candidate to get caught. The person who requested this I actually would consider a friend,and in this case, I'm actually not charging them for the shoot, just product so I'm going to have to check with Rose Garden and ask what if I want to photograph friends there.
Santa Teresa park is is a county park, which would require a permit, but based upon your comments you have had no issues from the rangers.
Is it just you and a camera, or do you also bring flash/reflector/lighting stand/assistant that would make one standout? I would probably have with me flash on stand/softbox or reflector and a friend/wife helping.
Have you used Vasona? I did that once with no issue. I have written down the permit is $50 annual, but looking again that seems to be for special events. Meanwhile it also falls under Santa Clara County parks, which require a fee. What makes it difficult is the usage of "Commercial" photography at most of the web sites that discuss permits. Their definition of Commercial is not the same as mine or most other photographers.
My worse fear is taking the chance and then getting kicked out. I like to follow rules and don't like to lie, but hate this permit issue. Knowing what I know, I want to compile a list of no-worry places, but will also let any client know that if they buy into taking a change at a place with a higher probability of getting caught and plan for a backup location.
So, I'm going to make some calls and get my notes correct for each location so I at least know what the rules are.
p.1 #11 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
Ernie - i was at the Rosicrucian last week and got an email address where I asked about the process to photograph on the grounds. I was allowed to take some location shots so I can think about how to use what is there.
p.1 #12 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
The little park along the creek in downtown Saratoga? Some of the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District's preserves (Fremont Elder is the closest to the valley)? Maybe Alice's?
p.1 #13 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
south end of San Jose, where the Model air park is past Coyote, drive to the back a lake and other background scenery, between the fist lake and airfield is another lake other side of bike path.
Evergreen collage has a lake with water fountains and fair scenery around lake.
p.1 #14 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
It seems a little petty for the places that mentioned to squeeze the local photographer for $100 for a 2 hour photo permit. But maybe they felt there were too many photographers put doing business in public areas that are intended for things other than photo locations. Or maybe they are just looking for every dime they can....
Paying taxes doesn't give you the right to use any "public" thing you want.
p.1 #15 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
mrhoni,
I have shot at Vasona Park once or twice. No permit, no fee, no problems.
I have also brought my camera there to shoot my son running around. No one bats an eyelash, and DSLR's are so common these days, I probably just looked like another parent capturing some awesome moments of their kid, which they can't stop you from doing.
When shooting at Santa Teresa Park, I travel minimally. The light there is beautiful, especially in the fall when things turn gold and they haven't dropped down the grasses yet. I don't dress in a black polo shirt with "Michael James Photography" plastered on it. Just a t-shirt, jeans, and boots. I don't bring reflectors, lighting equipment, etc. I carry my gripped camera with lens in one hand, and a few other lenses go into my Kelly Moore Thirst Relief brown wax canvas bag. No rolling case, no umbrellas, no stands, no sling bag, and no flash on top of my camera.
I mountain bike out there about 1-2 times a week (during the off season from weddings) and I rarely, if ever, see rangers out there.
p.1 #16 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
Prettym1k3 wrote:
This is going to sound shady. But I firmly believe in doing what is right, and by paying my taxes, I believe I should have full use and access to city, county, and state parks for any use I see fit (provided I'm not causing damage the property).
I understand your POV. However, I also pay taxes and would like to avail myself of the parks to which some of my tax money goes without some f#$king MWAC yelling at me to get out of her sight line.
The situation has gotten out of hand. I went to a very small city park not long ago and there were 8 "professional" photographers taking everything from engagement photos to children's photos. They had essentially taken over the park to the point us civilians couldn't enjoy it.
I see permits and fees to be an effort to control an out of hand situation. Sometimes the permits and fees are heavy handed and excessive. Too often they don't distinguish between the local photographer making a modest living and major film companies that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a day when shooting.
p.1 #17 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
dmacmillan wrote:
I see permits and fees to be an effort to control an out of hand situation. Sometimes the permits and fees are heavy handed and excessive. Too often they don't distinguish between the local photographer making a modest living and major film companies that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a day when shooting.
I concur on the pricing. For simplicity and peace of mind I might just pay the county $150 for a yearly permit and wished the city didn't require a yearly $60 application and the $40 for a 2 hour permit. A yearly one time fee is more palatable. These would just go into the yearly cost of business.
Michael, thanks for the ino provided. Very much appreciated. Will definitely check out Alviso. Also want to look at the history museum at Kelly park as I recall there were some interesting buildings.
p.1 #18 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
Alviso is pretty good. I did a short family session there. It can get pretty windy though.
I'm with Mike, I've shot at the Japanese Friendship Gardens a few times and even talked to the Ranger (without mentioning being a pro). It seems if you're keeping a low profile and not blocking paths or making people wait to go past they're pretty cool.
Though if you want to shoot there or the Rose Garden around prom season, you'd better get a permit.
p.1 #19 · San Jose/Santa Clara County where to shoot without permit
dmacmillan wrote:
I understand your POV. However, I also pay taxes and would like to avail myself of the parks to which some of my tax money goes without some f#$king MWAC yelling at me to get out of her sight line.
The situation has gotten out of hand. I went to a very small city park not long ago and there were 8 "professional" photographers taking everything from engagement photos to children's photos. They had essentially taken over the park to the point us civilians couldn't enjoy it.
I see permits and fees to be an effort to control an out of hand situation. Sometimes the permits and fees are heavy handed and excessive. Too often they don't distinguish between the local photographer making a modest living and major film companies that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a day when shooting....Show more →
Of course you have full access to city, county, and state parks, for their intended purpose, but not necessarily for "any use you see fit"...Seriously.
So if you see fit, you can set up your photo sessions next to the guy with the Hot Dog truck next to the woman giving MMA classes? What about insurance? As a fellow taxpayer I don;t want one of your clients suing my city because they tripped over a rock during your photo shoot.
Parks are not meant for everyone to decide to do their business in them with out an ok from the management of the property. They are meant for recreation.
There should be a minimal permit for low and no budget jobs-but many places see no difference between a mom an pop and baby shoot and a TV commercial for Geico (where 15 minutes can save you ....)
.