Interesting, When I did a fashion shoot in Cancun I got a workers permit from the Mexican Consulate here In San Jose CA. As I was shooting, I would get some funny looks or inquiries from the local police or security firms, but when I showed them the workers visa ( It looked like a passport with the Mexican National Emblem on it) all sorts of doors were suddenly opened. All of a sudden I had a Security and a Police liason officer, transportation assistance, location scouts (DOH) and invitations to come and shoot at this Hotel or at that (private) Hacienda. I am not kidding, it was really cool. At first I thought we were going to get mugged out back somewhere, but we had (people) looking out for us all the time, go figure. I brought an assistant to help hold reflectors and carry gear and he nearly got into a fight with a guy over who was going to carry my camera bag. That little booklet got us through Military checkpoints, police blockaids etc. I was going to use to pay the hotel bill but.... I have always found that it is easier to get the permits and or licenses you need in advance, than it is at the time of the shoot. If you need it get it in advance and get the supervisors name in that area, Try to send friendly emails or even better a letter on your letter head along with a business card well in advance so that they have some idea of who you are. This work really well when you get one of the officers from that org who has no idea that you will be onsite. name dropping along with paperwork will reduce the hassle factor to a 10 min break. Thanks, great question, Les Baldwin -----Original Message----- >From: Don Roberts <droberts@xxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Nov 17, 2006 1:02 PM >To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Subject: Re: [SPAM] Tax for photographers in public places > >I have had to pay a fee, not a tax, to shoot in many public places in >Mexico. Places like Zapotec ruins, for instance. This was in the area >of Oaxaca. I assume many places are like that. Most national parks in >the USA charge a fee for entry which allows you to shoot. You are still >limited in your usage of the photos. If they are for commercial use, >you will pay extra for that. >don > >Charles Dias wrote: >> Anybody knows about any public area (square, park, public garden, >> natural reserve, ...) where photographers must pay a tax in order to >> get an authorization for shooting ??? >> >> Charles >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> O Yahoo! est�e cara nova. Venha conferir >> <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail/br/tagline/spirit/*http://br.yahoo.com>! > > >-- >====================================================== >Don Roberts * Bittersweet Productions * Iowa City, IA > * * >Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. --Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. >======================================================= >
