pictures at the plaza - permit (San Antonio, Anton: promotional, wedding, buy)

[nismospec]

really? you have to have a permit ($150) just to take pictures at the plaza in front of San Fernando Cathedral because it's "privately owned"?

people are just out for the money nowadays. maybe i'm the only one who thinks like this, but c'mon. my wedding budget is where it needs to be already, for $150 i'll go take my pictures a block or two away where they don't charge.

[jons_wifey]

where did you get this info from?

[Newk]

If you want to take wedding pictures at the monuments in D.C., you need a permit.

[majormadmax]

I couldn't find anything about this on their website...but that's ridiculous if it's true!

[jons_wifey]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

I couldn't find anything about this on their website...but that's ridiculous if it's true!

agreed MMM

[Bo]

http://www.mainplaza.org/4243.html

Main Plaza Conservancy, a nonprofit 501c3 organization, is currently funded in part by the City of San Antonio on a declining allocation over the next four years for management and maintenance. Therefore, Main Plaza's daily activities and entertainment are funded through gifts, donations, sponsorships and event fees.

A part of this revenue comes from fees charged to those who wish to use the plaza for their own profitable, promotional or exclusive use.

All event and site fees are used to provide quality entertainment and activities free of charge to the public.

All film, video and photo shoots to take place in Main Plaza require a permit.

Main Plaza Conservancy issues day permits for shooting in the entire plaza. This includes Portal San Fernando, the upper "patio in the round", gardens, fountains, entrances and sidewalks surrounding the plaza.

Permission may be required from San Fernando Cathedral and Municipal Plaza/Council Chambers if the building facade, steps, ramps or seals are included in the shot. Please be responsible and check with them, if this is to be a part of your shoot.

Most photo shoots are required to pay a fee to MPC.

Please contact MPC at (210) 225-9800.

[rd2007]

Meh, $150 is a bit steep, especially for such an ugly background (anything in downtown SA). Buy a plane ticket to somewhere nice and take a picture there instead..

[nismospec]

my next step is to check with the cathedral on what grounds are "theirs" as opposed to the plaza's.
i'm assuming the area in front of the gift shop (and the side entrance of the church) are church property.

if that's the case, then I can take shots in their. otherwise, there's plenty more of downtown sites for "free".

I could see a $20-$25 permit, but $150 is ridiculous.
The church in itself is a hefty fee for the ceremony, and to think that you need to add even more on top just to take shots.... :/

[kevcrawford]

Private property is private property. People are welcome to do what they like with it. Just find somewhere else.

If they didn't charge, or charged a nominal fee, they may have people camped out all the time in front of the building disrupting traffic flow and operations. They have the right to say "X" amount makes it worth them having to deal with it being a pain.

[nismospec]

the thing is the fine print...
every day people pass by and take pictures of the church. those are acceptable, but professional pictures require a permit.

just what defines "professional" these days? if i'm taking a picture with a $200 slim camera and you're standing next to me using a $1,000 SLR, does that make the SLR a professional picture?