Hello all you CA photogs. I just heard that you can be fined for photographing families on the beach around the LA county beaches... is this true? I will be in Manhattan beach week after next and have 2 families from AZ that also will be in the area then and want shoots. I'm curious the best places to go for photos and wanted to ask if its true I can get fines for photographing families there? Thanks!

Hi Jennifer,

Yes, it is true. The beaches (that I know of) that are infamous for these fines are Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, Huntington (Main Beach) and Santa Monica (close to the pier). Not too sure about Manhattan. I've been approached a few times in Corona del Mar, but have been able to wiggle my way out with my typical excuse of "These are just my friends". It helps that I only shoot with barely any gear or lighting. If you have a big production going on you'll be asking for a fine.

I'm still weary everytime I go shoot at the beach but so far, I've been lucky. But, I've heard of tons of stories where others have not.

My advice would be to be less "pro" looking and not to bring too much gear, if possible. I would still go because most of the time, there is no one to enforce these "rules" but just be weary. I've warned some clients in the past, when going to certain beaches. I'm sure others here from SoCal have some other stories.

Forgot to say that my favorites are Laguna Beach (nice cliffs), Capistrano Beach (more south, but not too many people and beautiful) and Palos Verdes area (also nice cliffs, but rocky).

Good luck!

Jan

gosh, what will it be next?

Why do you get fined? that is so silly!

Most public places technically require permits for commercial shoots. You have to check with your local film board.

I know, it's crazy.

I know all state beaches require filmimg permits from the California Film Commission. But it seems like pretty much everywhere you go in Southern California (even non-beaches), I've heard of photographers getting hassled. Probably because there are so many photogs out here. It's not uncommonn to go to a popular beach in Corono del Mar or Laguna Beach and see 5-7 photographers out there with their clients. It's pretty insane, so the locals may be getting annoyed and are complaining. That's what I think.

in october, if you go to the beach in laguna by the montage, you are likely to see a dozen photographers out with their clients. there's sometimes even a line to use the good part of the rocks. it's nuts.

I'd inform your clients ahead of time, have a backup location, and call ahead! Call the city, ask about these things. I've found if you have to pay to park, you probably have to pay to shoot.

you would think in california where the beach is so plentiful, it wouldnt be that big of a deal to have your photo taken there. its like , been there, done that.

i can't believe that! it must be a response to big budget productions overtaking the beaches in LA?? i shoot at beaches in north county san diego and have never heard of this - and i see plenty of other people doing the same as me.

There was a great thread about this a while back with great info. Try a search for it, but it may have been lost in the 'great OSP crash'. Worth a try.

Jan, and everyone, thank you for your feedback and suggestions for good locations. Hopefully I will get lucky and not get caught I dont bring a ton of stuff and will definitely limit it for these shoots.

Just go and try it. Keep your equipment list short like others mentioned and just educate your clients about the policies just in case you do run into trouble.

All of the shoots that I've done on the beach up to this point have been non-paying work and they can't fine you unless your a paid photographer.

Jennifer...I am a local and Manhattan Beach is where I shoot 80% of my engagement sessions and I have never had a single problem. I even shoot there at 1pm on a Saturday when there are literally hundreds of people around....again, no problems. If you are going to stick to Manhattan Beach then I wouldn't worry about it. I see other photographers down there ALL the time doing family portraits.

As for the best place for photos, I would say stick around the pier. You can get some really nice light underneath the pier where it is shaded. If you need any help with the area when you arrive then give me a call and I'd be glad to help you out!

Hi, Jennifer, I have done several sessions in Long Beach without any problems. Stay away from Santa Monica, Malibu, Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar. Good luck. Ben

Once we shot a e-session in Malibu. We were walking to meet the couple and this lady walks up and is like, "you paparazzi make me sick! don't you have anything else to do?"

I had no idea as we walked farther, that there were 100+ photographers all along the beach shooting celebs. It was nutty!!!

Thanks so much Dave, I might just take you up on that! Thanks Angie. I just talked to Matt via email about your Laguna pix the other day. I have to admit, I would be kinda cool to run into some sort of major celeb while photographing families out there and make a million bucks on a paparazzi pix. JUST KIDDING. NOT into that side of things at all!Will do, thanks JT... they are paying me, but I guess the film commission, or whomever does not need to know that.