Location Fees

I'm looking for info regarding what fee a given venue/site might request for a photoshoot.

(like an engagement shoot on a heritage house/site or in a restaurant etc)

I imagine prices could get quite high... but can anyone give me some examples?

Sorry, I've never had to rent a place so can't help you with specifics.
But it seems to me the advice you get here won't really matter... Call up the places you're interested in and ask them if they charge a fee for use.

Good point. I'm actually asking for a property owner. They've got a nice spot they'd like to 'monetize'

I've seen everything from $50-$250. $50 was a public park fee, $250 was private property, an incredible private residence.

I know many public parks prohibit portrait sessions. I wanted to shoot a musician in the Japanese Gardens in Portland and it was prohibited. Out of curiosity, I checked up a few other public venues and the majority prohibited commercial photography.

$250 for a place I was wanting to use for a Rock band. Not at all in our budget, but a beautiful building. Eventually we got in free and the band simply did some free concerts for them. It was a Convent for retired nuns. They loved them!

I'm amazed so many public parks prohibit or charge for shooting. I live in an area which has ~300,000 population for the metropolitan area (2 cities) and the public parks are wide open - no charge or restrictions for use.
These places that charge for public park use... are they in major metropolitan areas?

jwhite65 wrote in post #16985798
I'm amazed so many public parks prohibit or charge for shooting. I live in an area which has ~300,000 population for the metropolitan area (2 cities) and the public parks are wide open - no charge or restrictions for use.
These places that charge for public park use... are they in major metropolitan areas?

Yes they are. I can see their point. Setting up with lights, reflectors, portable battery units, assistants etc... can really affect other people thst are there to enjoy the park. The Japanese Gardens in Portland is sort of a Zen place where people go to meditate and be in tranquility. I can see a photo shoot being a nuisance to others in the park.

The only location fee I've ever had to deal with was $50 and my clients pay that. You just have to let them know ahead of time.

CanonCameraFan wrote in post #16984536
$250 for a place I was wanting to use for a Rock band. Not at all in our budget, but a beautiful building. Eventually we got in free and the band simply did some free concerts for them. It was a Convent for retired nuns. They loved them!

Retired nuns sure know how to party

jwhite65 wrote in post #16985798
I'm amazed so many public parks prohibit or charge for shooting. I live in an area which has ~300,000 population for the metropolitan area (2 cities) and the public parks are wide open - no charge or restrictions for use.
These places that charge for public park use... are they in major metropolitan areas?

Yep public. Here in Austin they started when every wannabe photographer, trainer and Zen master started setting up shop in a couple of the public parks and the public was having a hard time using them freely.

We've had a private garden ban photography entirely, but public parks are still open, so far. I hope it doesn't come to that here...

Hogloff wrote in post #16984425
I know many public parks prohibit portrait sessions. I wanted to shoot a musician in the Japanese Gardens in Portland and it was prohibited. Out of curiosity, I checked up a few other public venues and the majority prohibited commercial photography.

The Japanese Gardens is interesting. I do know they charge licensing fees to photographers, especially if you sell the photos - and they do charge tripod fees.

As far as public parks, most likely insurance purposes. National Parks are the same way for workshops, as are most National Forests - at least around here in Portland.

I've used a Japanese garden in Vancouver for an e session and the location fee was 350, we got to use the whole area for a whole day (if wanted to) and we couldn't go off the paths . the client paid this and was very pleased with their images.
dg

This is great info.. Thanks so much!