Pictures at Market Street in The Woodlands

[Simply K]

What about Portofino?[/QUOTE]

haven't shot at Portofino since late 2008 & early 2009 but the contact I had was Rose Moreno, prop mgr. Phone: 936-321-0934

From what I understand, photographers are suppose to check in with the property manager each time they shoot (indoors or outdoors). If an image is for publication, they want the name of the property in the credits. If sessions become frequent, they use to ask the photographer to make a donation to their charity. The inside and outside is intended for business use. No issues if photographer activity does not disrupt normal business. Sometimes they have events so it's generally good to call simply to make sure the area is available. Just like Market Street, their main concern is us respecting their property and copyright restrictions when it comes to taking photos on property. Store front signs/logos should not be included or at least not legible in the background ..ie: Old Navy, Hal-mark, etc...

Each time I've spoke with either property managers, they were very nice and accomodating. They just don't want people to abuse the property as it's not the photographers 'private studio'. Also when you call/check-in, they inform the security detail so they don't interfere with your shoot.[/QUOTE]

To answer your questions about Portofino...
I shot there today and was approached by security mid-way through my session. He was slightly confrontational, but nonetheless he asked me to pay $25 or I would have to leave the premises. I told him I wasn't aware of any fees here at Portofino and he mentioned that the Prop. Manager just started charging $25 per session for photographers to shoot on the property. The money needs to be paid upfront 24 hours prior to the session. Kind of a bummer, but what can you do if people are going to charge you to photograph clients there?

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by Simply K

but what can you do if people are going to charge you to photograph clients there?

charge your clients.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by Simply K

The money needs to be paid upfront 24 hours prior to the session. Kind of a bummer, but what can you do if people are going to charge you to photograph clients there?

The best thing to do is avoid doing business with merchants on the property and encourage other photographers to do the same.

If applicable, let the merchants know why.

This is Capitalism and free enterprise at work.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by Simply K

What about Portofino?

The money needs to be paid upfront 24 hours prior to the session. Kind of a bummer, but what can you do if people are going to charge you to photograph clients there?[/QUOTE]

You can do plenty by avoiding doing other business merchants on the property and encourage other photographers to do the same.

If applicable, let the merchants know why.

BTW, is this rule spelled out on Portofino's site?

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

charge your clients.

Rules like this are patently unfair to TFCD shooters/advanced hobbyists because we look like we are making money, but in fact are making none.

Worse yet, money that we must pre-invest for a specific time window is at risk of loss due to weather or "flake" models.

[wclavey]

Originally Posted by richardsfault

BTW, is this rule spelled out on Portofino's site?

Portofino doesn't actually seem to have a website that I can find... there are lots of sites that talk about it and list all the stores but I couldn't actually find a website that was from the management company and spelled out their terms.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by wclavey

Portofino doesn't actually seem to have a website that I can find... there are lots of sites that talk about it and list all the stores but I couldn't actually find a website that was from the management company and spelled out their terms.

There is no excuse in today's world for an establishment to not have online presence.

Undocumented rules are the worst kind, and they come across as being made up on the fly.

IMHO, establishments should make a reasonable effort to list policies online so that they can be easily "Googled" in advance, which means less stress for all involved.

[wclavey]

I agree with you, especially if they are going to have arcane photographic rules... but you posed a good question and I went to see what the answer was - - and, SURPRISE! - - no website.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by wclavey

I agree with you, especially if they are going to have arcane photographic rules... but you posed a good question and I went to see what the answer was - - and, SURPRISE! - - no website.

Most such establishments don't allow shooting at all, so it could just as easily be argued that charging a per shoot fee is a good thing.

In this case, the problem arose from the facility being historically unrestricted and quietly changing the rules.

Perhaps Portofino developed a bit too much of a "safe haven" reputation and become overrun with photo sessions?

I've never shot there, but I'm sure that some who are closer by could shed some light.

I did, however, have a good shoot at Market Street and would hate to see such policies spread.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by richardsfault

Rules like this are patently unfair to TFCD shooters/advanced hobbyists because we look like we are making money, but in fact are making none.

Worse yet, money that we must pre-invest for a specific time window is at risk of loss due to weather or "flake" models.

if you complain enough, they might start to run their business how you want them to. but...i think they may just go with the making money option.