Where to shoot bridal photo?

[platinumwater]

Guys,

One of my clients wants to shoot bridal photo in Houston downtown close to rice village, but they are not willing to pay addition photogrpah permit.

I asked Hermann park, they charge more than a hundred for just one day shoot. I am pretty new in Houston area, instead of asking each parks and city deparment, I am wondering if you could help me out, and give me some tips or list of place that are nice to shoot bridal photo, yet with low or no cost of permit.

Thanks a lot in advance.

[Tom]

I wouldn't go to Hermann Park because it is always crowded and a lot of the paths aren't cemented - I wouldn't want my bride to be walking on a dirt path in her dress before her wedding day. I've never heard of anyone actually being stopped for not having a permit. I think they do that for large commercial shoots or so they can kick you out if you are being a pain.

[Tom]

Oh, and not answering the question - check out where they are getting married or having their reception and those places will usually let you shoot there for free.

But Rice U gets my vote. Editing a bridal from there right now.

[platinumwater]

Thank Tom, I like Rice U too, but they also require permit for just one hour limit. Did you experience any trouble there if you shoot over an hour?

The client just need bridal shoot, they don't have reception here in Houston.

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Oh, and not answering the question - check out where they are getting married or having their reception and those places will usually let you shoot there for free.

But Rice U gets my vote. Editing a bridal from there right now.

[Tom]

You really shouldn't need more than an hour at Rice. You can do a lot of different things without moving too far and they only allow you to shoot on the outside of three buildings that are all next to each other.

An hour is just about right. Just be ready to start shooting right when your hour starts. They have campus police that will check your permit (showing it on your phone is fine) and they will kick you out if you go over and someone else starts. You can also call the campus police to have someone kicked out during your hour.

[platinumwater]

Thank you Thomas, that's really helpful.

Some other photographers told me they have no trouble shooting bridal in Hermann park w/o permit, also no problem shooting on the street, or other public park in downtown, is it really the case?

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

You really shouldn't need more than an hour at Rice. You can do a lot of different things without moving too far and they only allow you to shoot on the outside of three buildings that are all next to each other.

An hour is just about right. Just be ready to start shooting right when your hour starts. They have campus police that will check your permit (showing it on your phone is fine) and they will kick you out if you go over and someone else starts. You can also call the campus police to have someone kicked out during your hour.

[ngoduyviet]

At Rice you will get into trouble on a busy day for two things.
1) Without a permit (for sure)
2) Running over your allotted time for more than 10 minutes.

They have police patrol there now. I ran over my time by 10 minutes and they came up to talked to me and we had to go. While there on my time, I saw about 5 groups (bridals, quinces) got chased off by the police. Not something you want your client to experience. Get a permit, it's cheap enough, and help out the school to keep it clean.

You can shoot at Hermann park, but not inside the Japanese garden. They don't allow shooting there anymore after amateur & professional photographers trampled on the flower beds off the paths. Sad, but some people are just not considerate of others.

[mramos]

For the last 5-6 yrs. I've always gotten a permit for Rice and have never been asked to show it. I've always shot during the week, and skip Saturdays, because I know how busy it is. I use Hermann park a lot and have never had any problems shooting. Like Viet said, the Japanese gardens have a sign that says no pro photographers allowed.

[arich]

There are several nice spots down along the water path that runs by the Wortham Center