FYI: Shooting at botanical gardens in Grapevine

[JohnT]

I was informed today by the City of Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department that ALL professional photographers must have a pre-paid permit before shooting in the botanical gardens in Grapevine. This is regardless of whether you're there for an actual commercial/paid shoot or if you're there just for a weekend outing (fun shoot). It looks like that location is out for me--and every other photographer who happens to have a DBA--unless I want to pay the $75 fee.

[Disney Chick]

How do they define "professional" photographers?

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Disney Chick

How do they define "professional" photographers?

I'm not sure, but I assume if one has a business name registered with the state, then that would qualify as professional to them.

[Disney Chick]

I wonder how they think they'll keep track of that, given how many people must come in and out all day with cameras. I hope the other gardens don't get the same idea.

[capreppy]

I would ask the same question.

Unless I tell them I am a business, then how would they know? Now for some it might be a little more obvious: Lady wearing a wedding dress would be pretty obvious. But if I'm there just because I want to enjoy the garden with my wife, well, I am sure as all get out, NOT going to pay $75 just because I happen to be a professional photographer (which I'm not really, but sticking up for the other guys).

Now suppose I was taking a picture of a woman in a Wedding dress? I'm NOT a professional and maybe I'm doing bridals for free for a friend. Since I'm not a "Professional", am I required to pay the fee?

[Disney Chick]

Exactly what I was wondering. I'm not registered with the state, but I'm starting a business. I do still shoot for free sometimes, though.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Disney Chick

Exactly what I was wondering. I'm not registered with the state, but I'm starting a business. I do still shoot for free sometimes, though.

Same here. Although I'm registered with the county and have a state tax permit, I still do some free stuff for close friends. If I want to take a few pictures of a friend's daughter at the gardens and charge him nothing for it, I don't understand why a permit is necessary. The lady that I was in contact with said, "The reason for the permit is to limit the impact photographers have on the gardens." What I get from that is they don't want a bunch of photographers, with all their gear, using the gardens so the fee is sort of a deterrent.

[Disney Chick]

I think they may find that it's not worth the trouble to try to enforce that.

[Ahh!]

Is this spot all that? I saw a recent post, and drove past it during the wine fest...didn't look worth $75/per. Or is that $75/year? Hope they aren't looking at this as some kind of revenue source.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by phorn45

Is this spot all that? I saw a recent post, and drove past it during the wine fest...didn't look worth $75/per. Or is that $75/year? Hope they aren't looking at this as some kind of revenue source.

Once you get out and walk into the garden area, it is pretty nice. It's nothing like Dallas' or Fort Worth's gardens, but it's decent. Personally, I think the fee is unnecessary because there are far more "amateur" photogs that use the place than pros, and they get charged nothing.

[Ahh!]

OK. Now my curiosity is peaked. Does Grapevine have a changing area for the bride?

So, how much is it per day at Dallas or FT. Worth? And at Ft. Worth, there is the Japanese Garden, which I think I saw as more cost? If they are "nothing like", how do the prices compare? What about neighboring suburb photo ops that are free or whatever? Where is the value proposition here? I called one of the wineries in Grapevine, and just for a shoot in the "back yard", they wanted to charge me $125, and only in the morning...

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by phorn45

I called one of the wineries in Grapevine, and just for a shoot in the "back yard", they wanted to charge me $125, and only in the morning...

That's OK...they never called me back, and I have a studio I have rented instead, which the bride is all a tither over...she does not want to risk getting her dress dirty...

And besides, tonight I am not interested! LOL
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ead.php?t=1595

[Wes]

Fort Worth has a similar policy, but (I think) they charge you only if you're toting a tripod.

I'm not sure about the Dallas Arboretum, though. I went out there by myself with two camera's and a tripod and no one said a thing to me about it.

[Debbi]

Wes, FTW also charges if you are "toting" a bride (lol). Even if you don't have a tripod.

[mobilezen]

Wow this is crazy. Well, I have no business name under my name or any DBA so I'm good. I'll just walk around with my 24-70... If they approach me, I'll pull a "Me no speaka engrish." and smile.