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Category: Getting Model Releases

Photography Question 

Earl Blansfield 		 

Release for Shooting Lighthouses


I have photographed numerous lighthouse around the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. I believe they are government-owned but also are associated with non-profit lighthouse associations. I did a show this weekend where I had some photos of the lighthouses for sale. A lady made a comment that all of these lighthouses belong to us. She took one of my business cards off the table and walked off. She didn't seem happy about the fact I was selling the photos. I got the impression she felt I didn't have permission to sell photos of the lighthouses and that she was part of some lighthouse foundation. Is there a requirement to get permission to sell these photos?


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November 05, 2006

 

Mark Feldstein 		  I think you'll find that most lighthouses are still publicly owned property. If they still operate, it's likely the Coast Guard (In the U.S.) that physically maintains the light itself and a private non-profit association maintains the rest of the property, like the structures that house the lights, grounds and associated buildings. That's a pretty common scenario in California, Oregon and Washington. Where I live, it's Point Sur, Pigeon Point, Point Pinos, and a few in the San Francisco Bay Area.

So, public property owned and maintained by state or federal agencies is fair game for photographers and doesn't require a release for any reason, including commercial sales and/or self-promotion. There are a few lighthouses that were sold to private parties who turned them into residences. Those I believe DO require a release, but the property should be marked as PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO TRESPASSING, etc.
What you could do, and what I've done in the past, is directly contact the association or foundation that operates the lighthouse. Tell them who you are, what you want to do, ask for special access and offer them an opportunity to sell prints or posters of your work in their gift shop for a percentage of the profits. That, in turn, ingratiates you to them, motivates them to help you out when you need to shoot, helps you develop a relationship with them and their own benefactors (and trust me, they DO have lots of benefactors), and may help you turn a profit with your work. Works for me.
The really fun thing I've done is to volunteer as a docent for two lighthouses and went through a training course by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, so depending on my schedule, that allows me to give lighthouse tours to talk about their history, plants, ghosts, etc., and includes privileges like overnights. Wanna see something really scary?!?!? Nothing like being on top of a 620-foot hill perched over the Calif. coast during gale-force winds and rain, and the only two sounds you can hear are the howling winds and the fog horn on your light.
"It was a dark and stormy night... BOO !!!!"
Take it "light" ;>)
Mark


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November 05, 2006

 

Earl Blansfield 		  Thanks Mark. I thought as much. I am giong to contact them and ask. I appreciate the advice. The two lighthouses near me are not accessable by land and they do not conduct tours at this point. But is would be great to see the inside of them. I shot a couple of photos of the Santa Cruz Lighthouse last year while I was on business in San Jose. My first trip on Highway One and it was absolutely grougeous. Made me want to pull up stakes from the east coast and move there. Well, thanks again. I appreciate it.


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November 05, 2006

 

Mark Feldstein 		  So, notteth by land but oketh by sea, eh? Well, you know they say the light's always brighter on the other side (of the country). LOL !!!

Pigeon Point is very nice. Glad you got to see it. SF light is great, and there are four I can think of in and around SF bay. But if you get out here again, let me know and I'll see if we get the keys and can go hiking up at Point Sur which has just been rennovated and restored. The views from "The Rock" are pretty spectacular. :>0) !! I live off highway 1 and 68, about a block from the coast in a little place called Pebble Beach but I LOVE the east coast too, especially with its seasons.

Be well, Earl.
Mark


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November 05, 2006

 

Earl Blansfield 		  I just looked at a photo of Point Sur on the the web and it looks awesome. I may take you up on your offer if I get back to the SF area. My wife and I actually drove down through Pebble Beach and Carmel when we were out there. I can't imagine what is like to wake up to that coast every day. I live about 6 miles from the Del Bay but it isn't much to look at. I will drop you a line if I get out that way. Again, thanks for the advice. Take care Mark!


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November 06, 2006

 

Mark Feldstein 		 
 
 
Yeah, it's an awesome view. I mistyped 620, I meant to say 320 ' above the beach and El Sur ranch. BTW, the photos they're still using were before my time. Someone at Central Coast Lightkeepers needs to upload the scans I did for them last year and get rid of the old stuff.

Yep. Keep in touch. Lemme know when you're back in this neck of the cypress woods and we'll hang out. And hopefully we'll have some dynamic surf for ya. ;>)
Be well.
Mark


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November 06, 2006

 

Mark Feldstein 		 
 
 
Yeah, it's an awesome view. I mistyped 620, I meant to say 320 ' above the beach and El Sur ranch. BTW, the photos they're still using were before my time. Someone at Central Coast Lightkeepers needs to upload the scans I did for them last year and get rid of the old stuff.

Yep. Keep in touch. Lemme know when you're back in this neck of the cypress woods and we'll hang out. And hopefully we'll have some dynamic surf for ya. ;>)
Be well.
Mark


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November 06, 2006

 

Mark Feldstein 		 
 
  Low Tide, Carmel Beach
Low Tide, Carmel Beach
Carmel Beach facing 18th hole at Pebble Beach in distant background top left.

Mark Feldstein

  
  Pt. Pinos Light, Pacific Grove, CA
Pt. Pinos Light, Pacific Grove, CA
Photographed atop a sand pile, in the fog through a chain link fence.

Mark Feldstein

  
 
Yeah, it's an awesome view. I mistyped 620, I meant to say 320 ' above the beach and El Sur ranch. BTW, the photos they're still using were before my time. Someone at Central Coast Lightkeepers needs to upload the scans I did for them last year and get rid of the old stuff.

Yep. Keep in touch. Lemme know when you're back in this neck of the cypress woods and we'll hang out. And hopefully we'll have some dynamic surf for ya. ;>)
Be well.
Mark


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November 06, 2006

 
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