Permit for Shooting in hotel rooms?

[fotografin]

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone knows if a permit is needed to shoot in a hotel room if it is to be published?

I'm thinking of the Hard Rock Hotel in particular...

I wouldn't show the logo, but the room is very recognizable and there would be some (tastefull) nudity involved and I don't want to get sued...

Does anyone know what restrictions there are?

Thanks!

 

[ScottyNV]

call and ask the hotel management if they have a policy on photography in their rooms.

if this is for commercial purposes, you would probably need a property release, or something similar..

if it's for your personal enjoyment, don't ask, just go ahead and enjoy taking some shots of your model!

bottom line is the same as always for model release.. will you stand to profit from this? if so, GET A RELEASE!

Cheers,
S.
--

• How deep does the Rabbit Hole go? *

Free the Images

 

[JR_Sprawls]

bottom line is the same as always for model release.. will you
stand to profit from this? if so, GET A RELEASE!

Actually, if you plan to publish the photos (even on your own website or a forum) you need a release. Whether you profit has nothing to do with it, except possibly to cost you a bigger settlement.

A recognizable hotel room is certainly risky -- they may well feel their reputation has been damaged by your photos, and they have the resources and will to make life very unpleasant for you.

J.R.

 

[ScottyNV]

JR,

You are correct, I did mean to say 'publish' rather than 'profit' but I have a cold at the moment and 'foggy brain syndrome' was occluding the transmission!

Cheers,
S.
--

• How deep does the Rabbit Hole go? *

Free the Images

 

[JR_Sprawls]

JR,
You are correct, I did mean to say 'publish' rather than 'profit'

Thanks for helping keep it straight.

As a former newspaper guy, I've had way worse glitches, even when I was healthy and alert.

J.R.

 

[Paul H46473]

Hi there,
I wonder if anyone knows if a permit is needed to shoot in a hotel
room if it is to be published?

I'm thinking of the Hard Rock Hotel in particular...
I wouldn't show the logo, but the room is very recognizable and
there would be some (tastefull) nudity involved and I don't want to
get sued...

I doubt very much you need a permit as those sorts of things are government-issue, but you will definitely need a signed release, perhaps two: one authorizing the shoot and one signing off on the post-shoot results.

Bear in mind that no one knows what "tasteful" nudity is as it's, er, a matter of taste. A hotel chain, even one such as the Hard Rock, has millions invested in its image and they're not going to let any unauthorized person do anything to damage what they've so carefully built up. It's perfectly understandable. Imagine someone saying, "Hi, Mr. Hotel Manager! I'm from NAMBLA, the National Man-Boy Love Association, and I'd like to use one of your very recognizable hotel rooms to take a few tasteful nude photos for publication. You don't need to see them once I'm finished, do you? There's a good fellow."

Good luck with that approach.