This is an odd question.

[Sam]

I have been looking through websites of local photographers and since I live in Sonoma County I have seen many portraits taken at wineries in the area.

My question is this. Do these photographers pay a fee to the winery in order to use their facilities or since they are open to the public is it all fair game as long as there are no distinguishing buildings etc? Please bear in mind that I have lived in this area most of my life and that is how I recognized the locations.

On the same note, what about all of the photographers selling art prints? They are also making a profit indirectly (or directly depending on how you look at it) on someone elses business.

After about an hour it struck me and I have been wondering. Of course there will be people that do not abide by the laws but I want to know what is ok and what will get you into some trouble.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can throw my way.

[robertwgross]

If you shoot on the winery property, then you better get a property release from the winery manager.

A better way to do it is this. Talk to the winery manager. Tell him that you want to shoot scenery around his winery, and you will produce the photo prints, and each one will have a title label that identifies the winery. Arrange some business deal with the property release so that each of you get a certain percentage of all print sales. Then get some nice restaurant in town to hang some of those up. If you work it right, it ends up being a win-win situation for everybody.

---Bob Gross---

[Sam]

That's what I was thinking. However, there are a lot of "pro" photographers that seem to be shooting on winery grounds. I can't imagine with some of the prices that I was seeing that they were all paying a little to the winery.

On the other hand I ca't imagine that a winery would let someone walk around for an hour posing a family without saying something.

[robertwgross]

I can't imagine with some of the prices that I was seeing that they were all paying a little to the winery.

Paying a little to the winery, for what? Some wineries charge a fee for wine tasting. Some charge a fee just to visit their place. Some charge fees for other services.

The thing to do is to offer the winery manager one free print in return for the signed release. You've got to get him working with you, not against you.

---Bob Gross---