FYI for Houston photographers re: Hotel Zaza

[khanhfat]

Well, you should go in there in stealth mode at the first place and if the people there ask, just say that you're checking in. This will prevent a lot of troubles and questioning. Then call the bride to find out what room she's in and go straight to the elevator, or you could have bridesmaid help escort you to the room. The last wedding I shot 2 weeks ago was at Zaza, the bride is getting ready early at 8:30AM in the morning. I know the room number so I haven't had any encounter with front desk trying to question what I'm doing there. At that time I have a small back pack, messenger bag and a light stand bag, nobody asked me any questions .

I haven't shoot there just for getting ready pics, but it's good to know about this policy so I can come in prepared in the future , in "stealth mode" of course :D. Thanks for the info posted here.

[stephenpinn]

interesting, would it make sense to explore the guidelines/consumer laws governing the status of invited guests at a hotel? i certainly have had many many business meetings in the bar of a hotel or in a suite rented explicitly for a business purpose.

I am not a lawyer but my best guess is that if you are an invited guest of a client and you have not violated any of the hotel's guidelines for acceptable behavior then there may be no legal standing for the hotel to refuse you entry.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by stephenpinn

interesting, would it make sense to explore the guidelines/consumer laws governing the status of invited guests at a hotel? i certainly have had many many business meetings in the bar of a hotel or in a suite rented explicitly for a business purpose.

I am not a lawyer but my best guess is that if you are an invited guest of a client and you have not violated any of the hotel's guidelines for acceptable behavior then there may be no legal standing for the hotel to refuse you entry.

of course, it is private property, and they may do as they please. also, seems like taking "commercial" pictures in their rooms is not viewed as "acceptable." an aside is, almost 2 years ago I had a bride interested in doing bridals there. I spoke with some manager there and he said he had no problem doing bridals in the suite if we rented it.

my mother-in-law would throw a hissy fit and demand to talk to the owner. I personally, send my message with my wallet (which, ironically, zaza has never seen) and say nothing.

[stephenpinn]

it may be private property but they must comply with hospitality law, yes there is such a thing. you as a paying guest have rights as well and if you wish to invite someone into your room you are entitled to do that.

private property, once open up for licensed public occupation comes under a different set of laws

[ronocnikral]

while you have already admitted you are not a lawyer, I suggest you take the following course of action:

1) book room at the Houston Hotel Zaza
2) check in and tell them you are there to shoot commercial pictures in their room
3) Hire Lawyer

Please report back on the outcome.

[stephenpinn]

my my you are sensitive, but I am sure you have a course of action for that. All i am saying is if you are a guest at a hotel you have legal rights. frankly i dont know how to reply to your response, google has many references to occupancy and guest law and guest privileges.

all i know for sure is that if it were my wedding and i had planned on photographs being done in my guest room i would be very upset if the hotel suddenly prohibited it. i would think that their should be a reasonable solution.