PERMIT PROCESSES IN PHILADELPHIA, AND PHOTOSHOOT LOCATIONS
NAVIGATING PERMIT PROCESSES IN PHILADELPHIA, AND PHOTOSHOOT LOCATIONS
If you are looking for a location to conduct your photo shoot, make sure you know the permit process beforehand. This is especially important if you are using locations that are not familiar to you. Below, I’ve outlined the permit processes in Philadelphia. If you want to use a photo, video, or film at your school, company, or event on Philadelphia Parks & Recreation property, you need a permit first.
The permit allows you exclusive access to the location you have chosen while protecting the safety of on-site staff, visitors, and the historical nature of buildings, spaces, and monuments. You will be allowed to shoot at a set date and time without any interference from other general park visitors, meaning that you’re free to control who is around your shoot location.
The City of Philadelphia’s Film Office provides permit applications for all types of productions filmed on the streets of Philadelphia. Applications are processed once they are complete and received at the Film Office’s office.
Requests for filming on City property require an application depending on the size of the production, multiple departments may be involved to approve the filming.
How to go About Permit Processes in Philadelphia
- To get a permit, you’ll need to provide;
Proof of insurance
Payment necessary for the permit
- Proceed to download the permit
- Print the permit
- Fill out the permit information
- Mail, fax, or deliver the completed application
Now that you know you need a permit to film on park property, what do you need to know next about where you’ll require a Permit?
INDEPENDENCE MALL PARK
The City of Philadelphia has created a list of all locations in the Independence Mall Park area that require a permit. Independence Mall Park encompasses a 2-mile stretch of land which includes the Central Business District, Convention Center, Arts District, and Historic District.
This popular location is used for wedding shoots, family portraits, and many other photography projects. When it comes to taking a photo in a public space, following guidelines is paramount because it ensures the safety of the crew and clients.
These include:
- Rose Garden
- The Merchants’ Exchange
- Washington Square
- The First Bank of the United States
- The Second Bank of the United States
- Benjamin Rush Garden
- The Magnolia Garden
- 18th Century Garden
How to get a Permit?
If you want to hold an event at Independence Mall Park, print, sign, and fill out this form and send it to the park. You can either fax or email the form after and mail it.
Cost:
$25 application fee
1–10 people – $50/day
11–30 people – $150/day
Over 30 people – $250/day
CITY PARKS (FAIRMOUNT WATERWORKS – FDR PARK BOATHOUSE – RODIN MUSEUM – AZALEA GARDEN)
The City of Philadelphia has some unique, breathtaking city parks. Brandywine, Wissahickon, Rittenhouse Square, Pennypack Park, and more. But did you know many of these locations require permits for ceremonies and photography? Before you put your camera on full auto or rock up with your family while your heart-shaped balloon floats behind you, check out the permit information below!
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, click here
Cost
$50 to $150 per day, depending on the location
RACE STREET PIER
Race Street Pier is located right next to the Ben Franklin bridge where it overlooks both Liberty State Park and Camden. With the right permit, you can have your wedding ceremony photos taken here. There are different types of permits, along with high-end tables that you can rent for an hourly rate.
The earlier, the more significant discount you will get! However, unless you have a lot of money to spare, try to come for free during “golden hour”, which is about 30 minutes before sunset.
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, click here
Cost
$50 per hour
JOHN JAMES AUDUBON CENTER AT MILL GROVE
John James Audubon Center at Mill Groove is part of the Pennsylvania Audubon Society. It’s a protected wildlife habitat filled with birds, trees, and other wildlife. It’s also available for photography if you have the ideal permit.
The John James Audubon Center is located around 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia. Visitors can enjoy walking through the protected area of over 120 acres of fields, woods, ponds/streams filled with birds, and other wildlife.
How to get a Permit?
Permits will be available for sale in the Gift Shop at Mill Grove. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted.
Cost
One day permit – $25
Yearly permit – $100
CITY HALL (DILWORTH PARK)
Ever wanted to take photos at city hall? The iconic building offers a spectacular opportunity for engagement and wedding photos. But the permit process is a little complicated, and it can be confusing to know what you need. I’ve created this article to walk you through the process and answer the most common questions that arise while applying for a photo/filming permit.
How to get a Permit?
All areas of City Hall (except for Dilworth Park) may be used as a backdrop for photographs, including those capturing city life and events, as long as no City property or branding is depicted. No permit is required for wedding photos on City Hall grounds (unless they are engagement photos). However, please ensure that if you plan to shoot for any length of time, you check with them first.
Contact Laurie Heinrichs rentals@centercityphila.org or call 215 440 5547 for permits.
Cost
Dilworth Park – $150/ hour
All areas of City Hall are free
TYLER GARDENS
Looking to take some photos at the Tyler Gardens in Philadelphia, PA? If your answer is yes, it is crucial to know that you need a permit for this location. The property is made for photographing. It makes for a very easy photo session since there are plenty of background backdrops.
How to get a Permit?
You can find more info here, call or email to place a reservation, and get a hold of Peter at 215-968-8087 or email peter.chiovarou@bucks.edu
Cost
$100 per hour
$350 yearly pass for professional photographers
VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL PARK
For photographers to have access to the photos at Valley Forge Park, they must possess a valid permit from the park. In addition to photographers, anyone possessing a permit will also have access to the many historic sites and artifacts located on the grounds as well as those located throughout Valley Forge State Park – which is over 5,000 acres. This makes Valley Forge Park one vast example of a preserved Revolutionary War battlefield in America!
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, click here
Cost – $75 per day
PHILADELPHIA MAGIC GARDENS
Also known as “The Magic Gardens”, this museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Philadelphia. It’s an art installation by Isaiah Zagar consisting of mosaics, statues, murals, and other colorful exhibits located in abandoned stone warehouses right along South Street. Due to the popularity of this location, you must get a permit.
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, click here
Cost
You pay a $25 deposit and then {$75|every half hour|every thirty minutes}.
RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK
Ridley Creek State Park is a gorgeous state park with many open green spaces and wooded hiking trails. The park is located in Media, Pennsylvania, and features a beautiful creek with swimming and boating opportunities. So, if you plan to take photos for your business at this location, be sure to check out the Media PA photography permits before you go.
How to get a Permit?
Ridley Creek State Park has started requiring permits for wedding photography. However, the application form and fee schedule are not online, so you’ll need to give the office a call. Contact Ridley Creek via Phone: 610-892-3900, Manager: Alexa Rose, ridleycreeksp@pa.gov
LONGWOOD GARDENS
Longwood Gardens does not require a specific permit to photograph/video on the grounds of the Estate. However, all participants of photography and videography must enter and exit through the Visitor Center to receive a timed ticket. So, if you wish to take on-location photographs on the grounds of the Estate (outside formal gardens), you will need to purchase an Entry Ticket.
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, click here
Cost
$25 per adult
WATER WORKS
Water Works is a great alternative to a traditional bride and groom shoot. The Water works division of Philadelphia’s Water Department was built in 1901 near the Schuylkill River and, it is a great location for photography with backgrounds such as Boathouse Row, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Center City skyline.
Water Works used to be a getaway for the 19th-century engineers who could fish, boat, or swim in between shifts maintaining the city’s freshwater supply from the water treatment plant. Today it is a unique location for someone looking to get out of a wedding party background and photograph more artistically. Here are the details about permit requirements and steps to get your permit ready to apply for it.
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, click here
PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a world-class art museum located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It contains a vast permanent collection, with more than 215,000 objects that represent a wide range of human achievements from ancient times to the present. The works span all crucial artistic periods and geographical areas in the USA.
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, learn more.
To get a permit and more information about tickets and pricing, click here.
RODIN MUSEUM
For a very long time, antique sculptures were not commonly used in photography. However, nowadays there is a whole industry built around the concept of the “Hipster Glam Engagement Session.” I believe this genre is coming from a couple of different directions. One of these approaches is making a session unique and interesting by telling a unique love story through an engagement shoot with artistic or meaningful props. However, you may need a photoshoot permit for taking photographs in this place.
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, learn more.
To get a permit and more information about tickets and pricing, click here.
FONTHILL CASTLE/MACER MUSEUM
A location permit allows you to shoot photography, film, or video at the premises of Font Hill Castle/Macer Museum. It can be for anything including wedding or engagement photoshoots, filming an advert or music video, taking promotional images for your business, and student filming, etc.
Therefore, a selection of images/footage taken on location by the permit holder may be used in the advertising and promotion of their business.
How to get a Permit?
To get more information about application permits, learn more.
Terms & Conditions of Permit Processes in Philadelphia
Permits are easy to obtain if you get the right information to start with.
To avoid additional charges, the permit application must be received by the Philadelphia Film office at least 10 business days before the first day of shooting.
All permit applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis therefore, filing your application at least 10 business days in advance will ensure that your film shoot can go forward without delay.
Book a Photoshoot with J&J Studios
J&J Studios is a full-service photo studio that offers high-quality photography and video services in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. J&J Studios has been providing high-quality studio and on-location photo shoots for various clients in Philadelphia and the surrounding region as well as providing information on permit processes in Philadelphia.
For instance, you can choose an indoor location like the studio, or we can travel to you for your family session. Our photography and videography styles range from classic and traditional to artistic and modern so, we will make sure you get the right mix of poses, locations, clothing styles, and flexibility with your children or pets.
