Milton Keynes - permission to shoot on location?

Alright guys,

For those who are familiar with landmarks in MK, England or just have general advise on shooting landmarks, please help me out on this.

I am looking to shoot (again for those familiar with MK), locations such as the concrete cows, xscape building, MK Dons stadium, the tree in the town centre, some roundabouts etc. Trying to capture the essence of what makes Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes so to speak!

Would I need to seek permission for with regards to this? Also if I was to shoot on a commercial basis, e.g. company approached me to carry this work out. Would I need to carry out prior permission from all associated land lords etc. in order to carry the shoot? Is there usually a contract in place or would I need to pay further costs to have this commissioned normally? The company has allowed me to expense them anything that is required in order to capture said photography.

Please help as I need to know how to carry this out properly. Thanks.

Well, I don't know about the UK, but if I was shooting landmarks in a US city; I wouldn't worry if I was just shooting public monuments like statues, or shooting public parks, or the city skyline, or even a city block. But if certain buildings in the pics are going to be distinguishable on that block, then I'd want a release from the owners of those buildings. I'd also want a release for a stadium.

Ed, if the pictures are to be used for editorial purposes you would probably not need a property release. For commercial use a release would likely be needed. I did a job like that for a Tourist commission, they provided a letter asking for co-operation from anyone I encountered in the pursuit of the assignment. That letter was as good as a key to the city, even the police went out of their way to help. If you can enlist the aid of a similar entity it will make your job that much easier.

I believe under UK law this is not required unless you are shooting on private property. I live in MK too and I am tempted to shoot some of the locations. More worried about being mugged for my gear than anything else. As with any UK city I shoot in to be fair.

I suppose the city would be classedas private property, perhaps you need to speak with council, or a good first port of call would be to ask at the information desk in the centre. They should be able to help.

Was looking at those cows round the tree the other day and thought would make a good photo LOL

well its not going to be sold as calendars or posters... the company who have approached me, they will be moving into one of the new buildings in town, and as the main HQ here, they want to symbolise all that is MK within the buildings. They just going to print them on canvas/glass etc and hang them inside, thats all.

What sort of release would be required then? I know I have asked about doing photography within the town centre before and the info desk said point blank no... but dont stop others with P&S shooting!

Ed, after looking at the MK website I think the prohibition of photography on the Artwalk may be an effort to protect the rights of artists whose work is on display. It does seem a bit uneven to allow P&S though. I think in this case it would be a good idea to get permission to do your shoot. It would benefit you because you could work relaxed not worrying about being tossed out of the area. It would benefit the client because they wouldn't have the problem of someone objecting after they spent a lot of money. Personally I would do the groundwork and identify the people who can give permission for the shoot and let the Public Relations people at the client company deal with them.

breal101 wrote in post #5421729
Ed, after looking at the MK website I think the prohibition of photography on the Artwalk may be an effort to protect the rights of artists whose work is on display. It does seem a bit uneven to allow P&S though. I think in this case it would be a good idea to get permission to do your shoot. It would benefit you because you could work relaxed not worrying about being tossed out of the area. It would benefit the client because they wouldn't have the problem of someone objecting after they spent a lot of money. Personally I would do the groundwork and identify the people who can give permission for the shoot and let the Public Relations people at the client company deal with them.

hey mate, what do you refer to with the Artwalk? not sure what that is.

where abouts were you looking at on the mk website? can you post a link for us?

i guess the initial issue is knowing who to talk to first with regards to photography. Im gonna have to go to the council in town and see if i can have a word with someone there

I saw it on this site

http://www.mkweb.co.uk​/art/home.asp.

Pretty cool, 200 works of art on display through town.

Going to the council seems like a good plan, you have a valid request.

Jfyi - Bradwell Abbey is rather cool :0) I lived in MK for ten years before I emigrated to NZ.

on a sub note with regards to ringing around and obtaining permission to shoot on various locations... is it down to the photographer to do so or is it down the "client" to do this? As the photos will be displayed up and around inside their building.