Photo by Don Graham. Licensed under CC 2. 0 The city of Laguna Beach has cleared up some confusion about its photography permit policy. A broad interpretation of one of its two photography permits created a minor uproar recently, as many people took it to mean that the city was requiring a $100 permit for anyone taking photos.
It seems now that this wasn't the intention.
As it stands, the city has two permits for two different types of photography: commercial and 'non-commercial'; the latter has a $50/hr rate with a minimum of two hours required. This meant, as the policy was interpreted, that anyone taking photos – including personal photos – in Laguna Beach were required to buy a $100 permit.
The non-commercial permit category's vague description resulted in quite a bit of public complaint, and the city has chosen to rename it as a result, leaving only talk about true commercial photography on its website's related permit page. The category was never intended to cover casual personal photography, according to a city official speaking to OC Weekly. Rather, the 'non-commercial' permit category was created as a cheaper alternative to the primary commercial permit, giving photographers an option for 'less complicated photo shoots such as engagement photos. '
The city's website still specifies two different photography permits, but one with a new name: commercial and 'professional still photo. ' The latter carries the same $100/2hr minimum as the former 'non-commercial' category, explaining that this option is for 'single camera shoots such as engagement photos, wedding photos, family portraits, holiday cards, etc. ' Nothing about the permit policy except the 'non-commercial' verbiage has changed. However, it is now clear that personal, non-compensated photography doesn't require a permit.
Via: OC Weekly
. dpreview.com2017-6-23 23:41