Residents of Broadacres try to ban photo shoots. The city rules that photography must be allowed
Dec 20, 2017
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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Frustrated by numerous photo shoots in their neighborhood, the residents of Broadacres in Houston posted the signs prohibiting photography. It caused a public outcry on social networks, calling out on Broadacres Homeowners Association for such a drastic move. But, the city of Houston has now confirmed that this popular location is in the public right-of-way. Despite the residents’ attempts to ban them, the photographers are officially allowed to organize shoots in this area.
Cece Fowler, president of the Broadacres Homeowners Association, tells Houston Chronicle that the residents posted the signs in frustration. As Chron reports, up to 40 to 50 shoots per week were taking place in this photogenic area. Some of them involved large groups of people, and large props such as sofas, chairs, and bookcases. As Fowler tells Chron, one photo shoot involved a chandelier hanging from a tree branch. Another drove a Jeep onto the esplanade and damaged the grass, brick walkway and sprinkler system. Because of the events like this, the residents posted signs reading “Welcome to Broadacres; NO photo shoots.”
However, the city of Houston has confirmed that photography should be allowed, and the signs are now gone. Fowler explains that it’s been determined that “the city owns the streets on North, South and West boulevards as well as the brick sidewalks that run down the middle of the esplanades.” When it comes to the grass, it’s owned by the Broadacres Trust. As Chron writes, Broadacres Trust also owns a small park with tennis courts that runs along the west side of the historic neighborhood along Parkway Drive.
Although photographers are allowed to bring their clients to this high-class neighborhood, they must follow certain rules. They must always leave the sidewalks clear for public use. Alanna Reed, the public information officer for the city of Houston’s Public Works department, encourages residents to call the city’s 311 line if there are any obstructions. Reed explains that anyone who needs to block part of the street must get a permit from the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Photographers with bigger projects should address the Houston Film Commission.
Reed adds that “It’s about having respect for each other and being good neighbors.”
Remember the Golden Rule — would you want somebody coming into your neighborhood doing the same thing?
Additionally, Fowler says that many people have been respectful and quiet during small shoots. However, some commercial photographers have ruined the experience for the residents and made them post the signs in the first place.
There have been some pretty shocking photography bans recently, in an L.A. public park and the City of Laguna Beach. Because of this, I am pleasantly surprised that this case ended in being favorable for photographers. On the other hand, I can understand the frustration of residents. No one would like to have their neighborhood damaged or have the sidewalks blocked for a photo shoot. Still, all this can be avoided if the photographers and their clients simply follow the rules and act respectfully.
[via Chron, Houston Chronicle; Image credits: Ed Uthman, modified]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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10 responses to “Residents of Broadacres try to ban photo shoots. The city rules that photography must be allowed”
As the article points out, this was a few bad apples ruining it for everybody else. Always act as if everyone in the area is a potential client. This includes the owners/managers of the property.
??? Here’s a tiny violin playing “My Heart Bleeds for You.”????
I wonder if you hart would bleed if someone was doing it day and night in your front yard.
They need to take it up with the people who own the property and the people who live there evidently don’t own all the property their houses sit on or the sidewalks. They should have read the fine print before they moved there. Yes, the commercial photographers should be respectful and should have to pay for repairs for damage but that’s also up to the property owner to pursue. But if you don’t own the property, you can whine all you want to no avail. Generally, people will get away with what they think they can get away with. I’d go out with my camera, photograph the damage and call them out on social media. Most clients don’t want to do business with people who have so little regard for others and they sure don’t want their names on that list or on social media. The laughs were for the photographers – not the home owners. Surely there is a less populated area to take photos that’s as beautiful as this place is supposed to be. This neighborhood is on the register for historic places and that means you should show it some respect while you are there. Don’t think because you are a photographer that it gives you the right to destroy any pubic property or private property. That’s just arrogant.
It’s absurd to try to ban photography in the age of smart phones. How on Earth could such a ban, if enacted, even possibly be enforced. Discriminating against specific gear? The lines between pro and consumer gear/devices are getting more blurred every day. Never going to work.
They were trying to ban photo *shoots*
“…large groups of people, and large props such as sofas, chairs, and bookcases… one photo shoot involved a chandelier hanging from a tree branch. Another drove a Jeep onto the esplanade and damaged the grass, brick walkway and sprinkler system.”
There’s a difference between snapping a pic on your smartphone… and setting up a mock-studio with sets and props in a public park. :)
I think there should be *some* rules for photo shoots in public. Photographers should use some common sense.
it would be the same as porn, if you get get caught you get done for each photo
It’s simple. Ban bridal parties and excessive gear. This should be properly worded.
The problem is these photographers going overboard with couches and chandeliers hanging from tree branches. Always a few idiots trying to get too gimmicky with public shoots ruining it for everybody. Still, glad that didn’t ban photography there.
Another example of the rich man stealing public lands, AND that all HOA are down right evil.