Proper Protocol - Preserving Our Ecosystem

Don’t always assume a picturesque location is accessible to the general public without permission. Whether it’s for your actual wedding or for engagement or family photos, sometimes a permit is required to legally take the steps for permission and follow the proper protocol.

Places like John James Audubon State Park now require a commercial photographers permit to be on file with the park for any commercial photographer taking photos onsite at the park. The cost of the permit is $50 and is good for the entire year. All commercial photographers obtaining the permit will also have to provide proof of a Henderson Occupational Business License and liability insurance policy (for nonHenderson based photographers, contact them directly for their requirements). So if you plan to have photographs taken at this location, make sure that your photographer has taken the steps to have his or her permit on file or choose a different location. This applies to your engagement shoot, your wedding, or any time a photographer is conducting any business on the premises (e.g. family or commercial shoots as well).

Permits are also required to use National Forest lands such as Shawnee National Forest/ Garden of the Gods under certain circumstances “when there is a commercial

gain or there is an impact on the natural resource.” As a magazine, we learned that when we were scouting out shoot locations for a past issue! They say that every permit situation request is unique. So they ask that you contact them directly to see if a permit is required. Additionally, the length of time to obtain the permit varies, so they recommend contacting the Shawnee National Forest well in advance of your activity. According to their website, weddings are listed as an example of a non-commercial permit.

National historic sites generally also require a permit to host a wedding at as well. Locations like the George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes require a special

George Rogers Clark Memorial Vincenne, Indiana

use of park grounds (NPS Form 10-930s) to be completed, signs, and returned to the park office. A three week lead time is requested, but at least five days is the required minimum. There is a $50 fee and minimum insurance requirements. Additional information can be found on the park’s website, and the permit is a single day permit.

Whatever your location, when discussing your permit, also be sure and discuss the location requirements. Oftentimes, decorations may not be attached to any cultural or natural objects and the location must be left in the same condition that it was found. Additionally, any activities not specifically listed in the permit generally are not permitted.

Written By Nikki Davis Engaged River Valley, Managing Editor

Shillawna Rufner Photography John Jame Audubon state Park Henderson, Kentucky Esther Bloom Photography Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods Herod, Illinoi

I was deeply impacted by a recent local photography group post that showed plastic confetti being used and then left at a popular natural wildlife photography location. So I just wanted to write a short article for our readership reminding us all about the responsibilities that we all share as vendors and as participants when it comes to preserving the surroundings that we use pertaining to our local wildlife areas.

So, with that said, before you plan your wedding or next photoshoot (engagement, anniversary, or otherwise) at these locations, plan ahead to be as conscientious as possible! Use common sense and follow some simple rules:

1. If you want to toss something, natural and biodegradable is best. Consider making your own. It’s as easy as taking a hole punch and leaves. DO NOT as mentioned previously use plastic confetti and then as described in the post that I saw at the nature preserve leave it for it to be consumed by the area wildlife or get embedded into the ecosystem.

2. Don’t release balloons on location. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, birds, turtles and other wildlife commonly mistake balloons for food, which can harm or kill them. Additionally, animals can get entangled in the strings. This poses a strangulation risk and/or can damage animals’ feet or hands.

3. Stay on the proverbial “beaten path.” If you choose to go to nature preserves or other wildlife areas, those locations are not there for your pleasure or use. They are there for the preservation of the nature that they hold. So stay on the paths in place and don’t trample the foliage natural or planted for that season (the sunflower fields at Bluegrass in particular are what I am thinking of).

4. If you plan to bring a pet, make sure that your animal is even permitted onsite, keep your pet on leash at all times, and always pick up any waste created.

6. Most parks and wildlife areas DO NOT allow drones. Check with the park administration before bringing one in.

7. Find out if a permit is required by your photographer to shoot in that location (most national parks require one). If so, work out who will pay that fee.

8. Don’t do illegal activities (e.g. climb trees or make campfires, etc.) where these activities are banned as your photographs will clearly be documenting these acts. That also goes for no carving of initials in trees or graffiti of any sort!

9. Don’t interfere with nature / do no harm. That applies to plants and animals that you come across as you are on your shooting adventure. Treat everything around you with dignity, and leave nothing but footprints.

10. Lastly, geotagging is also discouraged in an effort to also keep wild places wild. Just because you and your photographer have a favorite spot doesn’t mean fifty other people have to find it, too. The more people that visit a spot can lead to erosion and damage to the location.

Whatever your location, when discussing your permit, also be sure and discuss the location requirements. Oftentimes, decorations may not be attached to any cultural or natural objects and the location must be left in the same condition that it was found. Additionally, any activities not specifically listed in the permit generally are not permitted.

Written By Nikki Davis