Photo 101, state park etiquette

I went to shoot a family this past Saturday morning at Cherry Creek State Park.  It was such a gorgeous day and the leaves were so pretty in their graceful way of dying with dignity.  I met the family at a designated location, we drove in and payed our $7 park fee.  And now in retro spect, I don't think the rangers get paid nearly enough for harassing small business owners. 

We pulled off to a gorgeous location and I got my lenses ready for a great shoot.  It was a busy day at the park.  Lot's of people out running and biking.  There are serious athletes out here.  I am sure none of them have a sponsor.  They act like they do, but pretty sure they are posers.  Anyway, a park patrol officer stopped

behind me and asked what we were doing?  Kindof like a curious preschooler.  "Whatcha doin?"  

ME:  "I am taking pictures of this family."

Ranger:  "Is this your business?"

ME:  uh oh, what am I going to say?  "Yes."

Ranger:  "Do you have a business card, a business license?"

ME:  "I have lots of them, call me if you want to schedule something, here in the park."  I fan the cards at her like a deck.  Daring her to pick one.

Ranger:  "You aren't allowed to shoot in the park without a permit."

ME:  "A what?  I just paid to get into the park.  And it is a state park, so tax dollars pay for this park too.  Are you telling me that even though this is my park, I cannot take pictures here?"

Ranger:  "Yes.  May I see your ID?"

ME:  "No you cannot see my ID.  I was unaware of this rule.  May I please continue with my shoot and then grab a permit after.  The light is starting to get really hot and I don't have a lot of time."

Ranger:  "I cannot let you do that."

ME:  I answer I am sure with the attitude of a teenager, "Really?"

Ranger:  "Yes."

Enter my client, "We have had this shoot scheduled for a month.  Can we just take the pictures and then work it out after?"

ME:  "I really do not understand why we cannot take pictures in a state park."

RANGER clearly out of her league speaks into her walkee talkee, "Can I get some help here?  We have some people who don't understand why they cannot do a photoshoot in this park."  I am sure she wanted to add, "whom are too stupid to understand..."

ME:  "I am going to start to shoot while your help arrives."

I was so rattled and embarassed.  I told the clients to forget about paying me for this shoot.  It was on me.  I got into my shooting groove, and it is a groove.   It makes your shoots flow.

Enter RANGER BOSS:  "Is there some confusion about the operation of a business out of this park??

ME:  "Yes.  Are you telling me that I pay taxes, I pay to enter this park and I cannot do a photoshoot here for this family?  In fact I need a permit to do so?"

RB:  "Yes.  We need a chance to investigate your business, make sure you aren't shooting nudes for a calender and  a small fee is required.  You are making money off of scenery provided by our park.  That isn't free.  And can I see your ID?"

ME:  "No you cannot see my ID.  Do I look like a criminal?  I am a small business owner trying to make it in this world and you guys are sticking it to me with a fee in a state park that I paid to enter?"

RB (totally visibly angry):  "You are breaking our park rules.  I can write you a ticket, I can take you to our office for obstucting our job or you can give me your ID."

ME: "What are you looking for?"

RB:  "We have to investigate anyone we speak to in the park when they are in violation."

ME (admitting my defeat, changing my demeanor and totally changing tactics, putting my tail between my legs):  "Alright, I will get my ID.  I am so sorry I didn't know your rules about a permit.  I would have grabbed one had I known.  Would it be possible for me to finish my shoot here and move to a couple more places and then take this up with you after?  I also want a card with your name and phone number on it."

RB:  "You can finish your shoot here, you may not move to any other locations."

ME:  "OK. Thank you."  Power monger jerkface park ranger.  Don't people crap the reservoir, shouldn't you be going after them?

My clients are ready to fight the boss ranger off.  They would bust me out of jail or hang onto my legs as I was drug off.  Thankfully it never came to that.  I really liked it that they had my back nonetheless.

I finished my shoot.  It was amazing and we did move to a different location, across the street from our first location. 

After we staredt walking back, the ranger and his "deputy" met us halfway. 

Ranger Boss asks, "Did you get what you wanted?"

ME:  "Yes, Did you get what you wanted?"  I smile wryly.

He seriously doesn't know what to make of me. 

ME:  "May I have my ID back?"

RB:  "Sure."

ME:  "So to avoid breaking the law in the future, whom do I need to speak with about getting a permit?"

RB  "Mr. so and so, he is out, his wife just had a baby."

ME:  "Really, now you know a photographer.  Could you give them my card?  You know, put in a good word for me?"

RB:  "Sure."  He replies completely stone faced:

ME:  I am pouring on my best charm, "Listen, I really appreciate you allowing me to shoot without a permit.  I apologize that I didn't know the rules coming into this park.  Quite honestly, I have never heard of this before.  I am not into shooting calenders with naked people, it's just not my gig."

RB:  "Well then I won't explain those rules to you."

ME:  "Thanks, do you have anything else you need from me?"

RB:  "No, do you have any questions for me?"

ME:  "No, thank you again."

We shake hands and go our separate ways.  I waved to them wildly as I passed them on my way back from turning around in a designated turn about.

FOR THE REALS!  Have you EVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING?  EVER?  Take my license and treat me like a criminal.  Charge me money for shooting on state property to which I am pretty sure we all pay tax money.  As far as I am concerned, if those guys are that well versed with the rules of the park, they should get a pretty hefty raise.  I was waiting for him to start quoting articles and sections and subsections. 

You know what I am going to do now, write him a thank you card for again letting me shoot illegally and apologize for being a total smart mouth.  Then I will include a few business cards just in case they need a photographer for their Park Rangers Yearly Calender.  What do you think?