There's going to be a hearing has been scheduled at City Hall on May 7, 2008 to review regulations that specifically target Wedding Photography and other wedding services. (It will take place in the Council Chambers at 10:00.)

This is to amend a new subchapter 9 to Section 1. Chapter 2 or title 20 of the administrative code of the city of New York.

The new regulation talks about definitions, license requirements, license terms and fees, contracts, duties of commissioner, records, bond requirements, and penalties.

If the law goes into effect, you'll be required to furnish a $5000 bond to the city, and maintain a license ($125).

I guess this is to "regulate" wedding photographers and the wedding shops?

P.S. I don't have a link to the site since I accessed it through our Legal department at work.

say whaaaaat?

anyone have any more info on this?

Is it just for NY? here we are being hit but by a "park permit" for use... 25-75 dollars per event...

I think this is for NYC right now.

My paralegal friend gave me this link:

http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/I...FTOKEN=62529383

Wonder which city councilman's nephew is a gumpy old PPA fart honked at all of the newbies?

I'm so glad somebody brought this up because I've been hearing this from other people (family of mine mostly) urging me to get a license saying that I have to have one to work in that particular city... i.e. if i do a gig in Stuart, West Palm, Miami, Boca, etc. I'd need to purchase a license from all the places I do business in. I mean, my own MIL won't tell people I'm a wedding photographer because she fears she'll get me in trouble since i don't currently have a license. I've put it off until I can find out for info on that... Is it even true???
I know to work for a school (photographing proms, portraits, & such) you have to have a license with the school board... At least you do here in WPB county, FL.

I know you're (half) kidding, but I'm guessing it is motivated by the Celebration Studios debacle.

Keep in mind that a $5000 bond doesn't mean you have to ante up $5000. I'd be surprised if it cost more than $100 annually to get this.


Eric

OOOOOO!

I forgot about Celebrations.

and yes... my smart-butt remark was just to bump the thread and not have it get lost.

I don't mind being "licensed" as that feels more legit. Also I have been working to get myself "certified" as well: http://certifiedphotographer.com/

I think its the bond that freaked people out at first. I guess the city's trying to protect its consumers (aka brides).

What happened with the whole Celebrations thing?

Do you need that license if you're a traveling photographer coming into NYC for a wedding or just for photographers who actually live there.

Oy. Bound to happen at some point. A few bad eggs and we all pay...

Let's do keep this thread going if anyone hears anything new.

Chris, click the links in my post above. One goes to their site, the other goes to a New York Times article.

There was a lot of talk about it on OSP... I'm surprised you missed it!

UPDATE: I guess this new law did go into effect?

http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/attachments/83045.htm



I'm bad at reading these things. According to the history/status, it was proposed to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and now it is "Laid Over By The Committee".