Hamilton County Reporter
The Hamilton County Parks Department (HCPR) announced on Monday that photography permits will now be required for professional portrait and commercial photography conducted at county-owned parks.
The announcement was made on social media, which drew more than 1,600 comments, most of which were critical of HCPR’s decision to charge taxpayers to take photographs.
County officials on Tuesday said the decision was made by the Hamilton County Parks Board.
“I found about it just like everyone else,” County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “It wasn’t a decision made by the commissioners or the county council.”
The Hamilton County Parks Board, which oversees county park operations, is an independent board with no elected officials.
Heirbrandt said his understanding of the board’s action was to limit potential liability concerns and to help reduce conflict between competing photographers, as well as photographers and park guests.
Parks officials indicated the permits are only required for professional and commercial photography and videography.
Descriptions of those required to obtain a permit are:
- Portrait photography: Individual portrait photographers hired for personal wedding, family, children or senior photographs.
- Commercial photography: A business, photography studio, production company, or advertising/publicity firm hired by a client to create a product for profit, or to photograph a product that will be sold for profit.
- Commercial videography: Filming of commercials for sales of products, advertising, video, television, and other filming (except for news media, park publicity or for an education requirement).
To obtain a permit click on the links below:
Here is a statement issued from Hamilton County Parks & Recreation:
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation is appreciative of the input provided regarding its policy requiring the registration of PROFESSIONAL photographers and videographers conducting commercial operations in Hamilton County Parks and would like to further clarify the intent of the policy that has been reviewed and approved by the department’s park board.
Due to the park department regularly receiving communications from park users expressing concerns related to uninformed professional photographers or videographers interfering with park guests’ enjoyment of a county park, this policy was put in place to provide:
- The contact information of registrants that will allow effective and efficient communication of current and updated rules and regulations governing professional photography and videography on county park property, in order to allow the full enjoyment of park grounds and facilities by ALL park visitors.
- Safety, privacy and enforcement: At times, certain areas of county parks are closed due to flooding or other public safety concerns. Communication of these conditions and subsequent precautions and restrictions can be immediately sent to registrants. Additionally, on occasion, special events or functions require temporary limiting of access to a park or area within a park. This information too, can be shared promptly with registered photographers and videographers, to avoid needless travel to a county park for a photo or video shoot, only to learn that the location intended for the shoot is inaccessible.
- Protection of sensitive nature or wildlife areas: In designated locations and during a specific timeframe, accessibility to certain park areas may be restricted to the public, including photographers and videographers to ensure the protection of wildlife and nature-related activities.
- Opportunities: With the contact information provided by registrants, it will be possible to reach out to professional photographers, videographers and studios and make them aware of image capture opportunities occurring within the county park system. Programs, events and activities that offer photo opportunities will be regularly shared with registrants.
- Fees: The nominal annual fees collected through the registration process are intended to cover the administrative costs associated with the permitting program, as well as related park operational costs. Professional photographers and videographers understand that far greater location fees are regularly incurred as a function of their successful commercial operations.
NOTE: Permitting is only required of professional photographers and videographers engaging in commercial operations. Amateur and casual photography in county parks does not require a permit.
Hamilton County Parks welcomes the proper and responsible use of its park grounds by professional photographers and videographers, and continues to encourage both professional and amateurs to capture and share the amazing subject matter found within our outstanding county parks.
For registration information or to request additional details regarding the registration process, please call (317) 770-4400 or email hamilton.parks@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.