Darwin and I want to raise awareness of the fact that any photographer who carries on a 'business' of photography in Alberta parks must have liability insurance and obtain a permit before shooting. This means those of us who sell our photographs.
As well, staff in the parks department have told us the policy has been under review and a new fee schedule is proposed and will likely soon be imposed.
The policy has not been signed off yet, so if this concerns you, contact your MLA or the Minister in charge of Tourism, Parks and Recreation (see below). As many of you know from the discussion of fee/permit requirements earlier this year on this forum, photographers have been included in the regulation of the film industry but the policies are only enforced piecemeal. However, it looks like the Alberta government has been more proactive and staff have stated that this policy does apply to individual photographers making money selling their photographs taken in ANY AB park.
We think this policy is overkill and discriminatory (considering other groups who profit off the parks--such as writers--aren't required to obtain permits, have insurance, or pay fees).
If you are interested in helping, please feel free to contact Darwin or myself or raise your concerns with the MLA below.
MLA for Calgary-Shaw
Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Hon. Cindy Ady
#229 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton AB T5K 2B6
(780) 427-4928
Edit: Here's a link to the current policy (and even though it is obviously related to film, we have been told by staff it does include individual, freelancers shooting for profit) http://tprc.alberta.ca/parks/managing/managinguse.asp#permits
scroll down to 'special permits' to find the policy.
Posted by Peter Carroll on March 27, 2008 at 1:54 PM
I'm on board. I've sent both of you an email ref the issue.
Posted by Tom Nevesely on March 27, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Kananaskis is really close to my heart. I love that place and often refer to it as my second home. Since the age of 8, apart from my home, I've spent more nights there anywhere else in the world.
I agree that policy is outrageous and I've already sent an e-mail to Minister Cindy Ady outlining my concerns.
Thank you Sam and Darwin for making this issue public. I'll admit that before you brought it up I didn't even think twice about it. Although I've only sold a few prints so far, this still concerns me because I'd like to sell more in the future.
I'm really not sure what more we can do. If you guys have anything in mind please let me know and I'll be there.
It was made clear to us that Alberta plans to ramp up the permit requirement thing not only for provincial parks and recreation areas but probably for all public lands. Photographers may then 'technically' be restricted to shooting on private land unless they have permits (requiring expensive liability insurance).
Right now, if you are a wildlife photographer for sure do not go to Kananaskis as the conservation officers have a big 'crack down' on the permit issue with any shooter with a big lens and tripod. So far most landscape shooters have not been hassled, but the CO's can legitimately kick you out if you have the 'intent' to sell your work! And they are playing the enforcement card more and more
You can get a photography permit for Kananskis at no cost (that will soon change) but only if you have personal liability insurance - how many photographers have that or can afford it. And what public risk do we impose??
We are writing letters, meeting with officials to present our arguements and hope to get petitions going soon. Currently freelance photographers are singled out from all other artists (writers, painters etc) as the only group who require permits to create art in parks. This is discrimination against one group of users. Stay tuned or better yet voice your opinions to the powers that be.
Also this issue applies to ALL of Alberta Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas. That means you need the same permits for Writing-on-Stone, Dinosaur, Bow Valley, Fish Creek and all Provincial Parks. Literally this means if you shoot in ANY(!!) park in Alberta with intent to sell photos you need a permit (rember National Parks also require a permit). If you don't have one you can be tossed out of the park. So if you don't think this is an issue for you, maybe think again especially if you live in or plan to visit Alberta. Darwin
would you have a link to the proposed policy? I looked through various parts of the Tourism site and could only find the current policy which has the free permit type setup.
Samantha and Darwin, will it help if I contact the Minister even though I am a US resident? I visit Alberta every three or four years and do enjoy it very much. If they do enact this rule I'd go only to British Columbia or not visit at all. Thanks!
This issue has been raised for some USA locations as well on other forums. I can understand the government requiring permits and insurance if a crew with lights, models, trucks, etc is undertaking a commercial shoot. However, an individual nature photographer poses no additional liability or risk to the park than an ordinary tourist with a P&S pocket camera. In fact, I can make a case that those of us who are serious nature photographers impact the land and wildlife less than some of those bozos who blantantly ignore any of "don't approach the wildlife", "stay on the trail", don't feed the wildlife" and the other ethical concerns we, as nature lovers adhere to.
Please let us know how USA residents can be of use.
There is no link to the proposed policy as it is under revision right now. We could not get them to tell us what thier plans are except that the 'free' permit will soon be changed to a fee permit. the good news is today we talked with John Findlay with Provincial parks who is on the committee to establsih the new rules and he plans to argue until he is "blue in the face" to get all freelance artists off the requirement for permit. If you want to add your voice to help keep him swayed to our point of view you can email him at John.Findlay@gov.ab.ca
Our key point is that freelancers pose no more harm to the public nor the environment than a regular tourist and thus we should not require liability insurance nor permits. He agreed.
Bill, I think the fact that Americans will refuse to come to Alberta due to the stupid rules would have more weight than Albertans complaining about fees! Alberta has huge tourist dollars. Write to minister Ady and tell her Alberta will no longer be on your destination list with such draconian rules! thanks!
Ed, You are sooooo correct. Not only do nature photographers respect the parks more than the general public, we publize the parks for free! Write and tell the minister your views. We are starting to make headway alreaqdy because NPNers are writing letters. You guys rock! Darwin
Hey gang, if we can get Alberta to change the poicy - next we are going after the Fed's to change things in the National Parks. thanks for your support and letters, they are finally making a difference. Darwin
I will write to both the provincial and federal ministers. I am a Canuck living in Australia these days but I do get back to Canada regularly and visiting Alberta is always on my list of stops as I have a number of friends living in Calgary. Thanks for making us aware of the situation.
Thank you for raising awareness of the proposed policy changes. I sent letters to Ms. Cindy Ady and Mr. John Baird. One can only hope, that it makes any difference.
All of your letters and emails are having an inpact.
I am daily getting calls from John Findlay with questions about drafts of the policy. He now wants to meet with Sam and myself for our input. This meeting will happen the week of the 14th of April. If you have any input you want us to take to the table please let us know.
Also if there is some way we can create an on-line petition that we can get folks signed up on that would be great. Anyone here want to volunteer to create one??? I have no web savvy at all and would not know what to do if my life depended on it!. Essentially we just need to spell out our position and gather lots of signatures that we can take to the meeting. Also at the meeting will be the head of permits and licenses for Banff National Park. Maybe we can have an effect federally too.
Soooo.... let's gather signatures, send your emails and let's have an impact. For better or worse we have become your spokespeople, let us know what you want aired!! Darwin
Petition Online would be a good place to start the petition. Easy to setup.
HTH,
Andre
Posted by Tom Nevesely on April 2, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Thanks for the update Darwin! It's great to hear that they are actually asking for input.
The petition site Andre mentioned looks pretty good. I also found another that looks pretty decent - http://www.ipetitions.com/
If you need help with anything let me know.
Discussion
15 repliesAs well, staff in the parks department have told us the policy has been under review and a new fee schedule is proposed and will likely soon be imposed.
The policy has not been signed off yet, so if this concerns you, contact your MLA or the Minister in charge of Tourism, Parks and Recreation (see below). As many of you know from the discussion of fee/permit requirements earlier this year on this forum, photographers have been included in the regulation of the film industry but the policies are only enforced piecemeal. However, it looks like the Alberta government has been more proactive and staff have stated that this policy does apply to individual photographers making money selling their photographs taken in ANY AB park.
We think this policy is overkill and discriminatory (considering other groups who profit off the parks--such as writers--aren't required to obtain permits, have insurance, or pay fees).
If you are interested in helping, please feel free to contact Darwin or myself or raise your concerns with the MLA below.
Darwin: wiggett@telusplanet.net
Samantha: chrysalizz@yahoo.ca
MLA for Calgary-Shaw
Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Hon. Cindy Ady
#229 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton AB T5K 2B6
(780) 427-4928
Edit: Here's a link to the current policy (and even though it is obviously related to film, we have been told by staff it does include individual, freelancers shooting for profit) http://tprc.alberta.ca/parks/managing/managinguse.asp#permits
scroll down to 'special permits' to find the policy.
I agree that policy is outrageous and I've already sent an e-mail to Minister Cindy Ady outlining my concerns.
Thank you Sam and Darwin for making this issue public. I'll admit that before you brought it up I didn't even think twice about it. Although I've only sold a few prints so far, this still concerns me because I'd like to sell more in the future.
I'm really not sure what more we can do. If you guys have anything in mind please let me know and I'll be there.
Right now, if you are a wildlife photographer for sure do not go to Kananaskis as the conservation officers have a big 'crack down' on the permit issue with any shooter with a big lens and tripod. So far most landscape shooters have not been hassled, but the CO's can legitimately kick you out if you have the 'intent' to sell your work! And they are playing the enforcement card more and more
You can get a photography permit for Kananskis at no cost (that will soon change) but only if you have personal liability insurance - how many photographers have that or can afford it. And what public risk do we impose??
We are writing letters, meeting with officials to present our arguements and hope to get petitions going soon. Currently freelance photographers are singled out from all other artists (writers, painters etc) as the only group who require permits to create art in parks. This is discrimination against one group of users. Stay tuned or better yet voice your opinions to the powers that be.
Also this issue applies to ALL of Alberta Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas. That means you need the same permits for Writing-on-Stone, Dinosaur, Bow Valley, Fish Creek and all Provincial Parks. Literally this means if you shoot in ANY(!!) park in Alberta with intent to sell photos you need a permit (rember National Parks also require a permit). If you don't have one you can be tossed out of the park. So if you don't think this is an issue for you, maybe think again especially if you live in or plan to visit Alberta. Darwin
would you have a link to the proposed policy? I looked through various parts of the Tourism site and could only find the current policy which has the free permit type setup.
thanks,
Andre
Please let us know how USA residents can be of use.
There is no link to the proposed policy as it is under revision right now. We could not get them to tell us what thier plans are except that the 'free' permit will soon be changed to a fee permit. the good news is today we talked with John Findlay with Provincial parks who is on the committee to establsih the new rules and he plans to argue until he is "blue in the face" to get all freelance artists off the requirement for permit. If you want to add your voice to help keep him swayed to our point of view you can email him at John.Findlay@gov.ab.ca
Our key point is that freelancers pose no more harm to the public nor the environment than a regular tourist and thus we should not require liability insurance nor permits. He agreed.
Bill, I think the fact that Americans will refuse to come to Alberta due to the stupid rules would have more weight than Albertans complaining about fees! Alberta has huge tourist dollars. Write to minister Ady and tell her Alberta will no longer be on your destination list with such draconian rules! thanks!
Ed, You are sooooo correct. Not only do nature photographers respect the parks more than the general public, we publize the parks for free! Write and tell the minister your views. We are starting to make headway alreaqdy because NPNers are writing letters. You guys rock! Darwin
I will write to both the provincial and federal ministers. I am a Canuck living in Australia these days but I do get back to Canada regularly and visiting Alberta is always on my list of stops as I have a number of friends living in Calgary. Thanks for making us aware of the situation.
Cheers,
Andre
Ed
Thank you for raising awareness of the proposed policy changes. I sent letters to Ms. Cindy Ady and Mr. John Baird. One can only hope, that it makes any difference.
Wieslaw
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
All of your letters and emails are having an inpact.
I am daily getting calls from John Findlay with questions about drafts of the policy. He now wants to meet with Sam and myself for our input. This meeting will happen the week of the 14th of April. If you have any input you want us to take to the table please let us know.
Also if there is some way we can create an on-line petition that we can get folks signed up on that would be great. Anyone here want to volunteer to create one??? I have no web savvy at all and would not know what to do if my life depended on it!. Essentially we just need to spell out our position and gather lots of signatures that we can take to the meeting. Also at the meeting will be the head of permits and licenses for Banff National Park. Maybe we can have an effect federally too.
Soooo.... let's gather signatures, send your emails and let's have an impact. For better or worse we have become your spokespeople, let us know what you want aired!! Darwin
http://www.petitiononline.com
Petition Online would be a good place to start the petition. Easy to setup.
HTH,
Andre
The petition site Andre mentioned looks pretty good. I also found another that looks pretty decent - http://www.ipetitions.com/
If you need help with anything let me know.