Do I need a hotel’s permission to shoot portraits inside my rented suite?
Asked 2/2/2016
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2 answers
0
I’ve booked a hotel suite in New York City and would like to photograph a friend there because the room has a great city view. The shoot would be inside the suite, not in public areas like the lobby, and the main subject would be the person rather than the hotel itself.
Do I need to ask the hotel for permission first? Could a hotel charge a location fee even though I’m already paying for the room? I’m mainly wondering what is appropriate and what risks there are if I don’t ask.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
5
Believe it or not, when you book a hotel room you are also signing an agreement to certain terms and conditions. It would be advisable to review the terms and determine if you are breaking any of them before proceeding.
Should you tell the hotel even if you aren't breaking any terms? It's up to you, but how would you feel about booking a model or session in a room and being kicked out because you did break some rule? The alternative is to ask up front and either be turned down or even have the potential to be upgraded to a nicer room at no additional cost. I'd suggest the latter and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
The hotel is looking for paying guests. Even better if you don't use the amenities and don't spend the night. High end hotels are used to requests like this and will have no problem accommodating you.
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A hotel room is still private property, and your stay is usually governed by the hotel’s terms and conditions. The safest first step is to review those terms and see whether photography, commercial activity, extra guests, lighting stands, or similar uses are restricted.
If your portraits are casual/personal and stay entirely inside the suite, you may be fine—but the hotel can still set rules for use of its property. If staff tell you photography isn’t allowed, they can require you to stop or leave; refusing could become a trespass issue.
So practically, yes: asking first is the safest approach, especially if this is anything more than a simple hobby shoot. That avoids the risk of being interrupted or removed mid-session, and some hotels are used to these requests.
For public areas such as the lobby or other shared spaces, permission is even more important.
In short: check the hotel’s agreement, and if there’s any doubt, ask the hotel in advance.
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