Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰
Main Photography Discussion
Cameras on hotel property
Page <<first <prev 12 of 12
Apr 3, 2021 15:06:38   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
Mi630 wrote:
I had a first time experience recently. My wife and I recently stayed at the Fairmont Princess hotel in Scottsdale, AZ. We were there about 12 days. On the second to last day I was stopped by hotel security and told I was not allowed to have “professional cameras” on property. I sad a Sony a9 with a 200-600 mm lens. The property is beautiful with lots of wildlife to shoot. I’ve stayed there 4 or 5 times in the past with no problems. Security told me only cell phones were allowed.
I went and talked to a manager and was told that policy has been in effect for about 10 years. The manager further stated that no pro camera policies are in effect at almost all hotels. Something to do with social media and private property. Maybe they think I’m going to take some sort of voyeur shots. I don’t know. All the staff at the hotel were unaware of the policy and were dumbfounded when I told them what I was told. Never saw it expressed on their website either.
Any one else ever run into this issue?
I had a first time experience recently. My wife an... (show quote)


Doesn’t surprise me. The policy protects the guests most of which are not photographers. Hotel guests feel uncomfortable these days seeing someone with a big camera and long lens walking around.

Reply
Apr 3, 2021 15:27:12   #
planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Unfortunate. But, remember it's private property and they can invent and enforce whatever rule they desire, just like you can tell people to take of their shoes in your house. Consider remembering to bring your pocket camera, like a Canon G9X, that captures in 20MP in RAW and delivers results about as professional as any DSLR. MLB has a similar policy based on length of the lens. I always make sure to have my 70-300 lens compacted to fall under any '6 inch' rules when entering the park, even though the lens will exceed that limit when employed at 300mm.
Unfortunate. But, remember it's private property a... (show quote)



A couple years ago when visiting Busch Stadium for a Cardinal's game I had my a77 and a 70-300mm lens. They tried to say I couldn't bring it in because it was either considered a "professional" camera or because the lens was beyond a certain length...I forgot. I took off the lens and showed them that it was the same size as the body (compacted) and begrudgingly allowed it. I had taken a train there and I wasn't about to hand it in to security - I might never see it again.

Reply
Apr 3, 2021 16:18:37   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
Mi630 wrote:
I had a first time experience recently. My wife and I recently stayed at the Fairmont Princess hotel in Scottsdale, AZ. We were there about 12 days. On the second to last day I was stopped by hotel security and told I was not allowed to have “professional cameras” on property. I sad a Sony a9 with a 200-600 mm lens. The property is beautiful with lots of wildlife to shoot. I’ve stayed there 4 or 5 times in the past with no problems. Security told me only cell phones were allowed.
I went and talked to a manager and was told that policy has been in effect for about 10 years. The manager further stated that no pro camera policies are in effect at almost all hotels. Something to do with social media and private property. Maybe they think I’m going to take some sort of voyeur shots. I don’t know. All the staff at the hotel were unaware of the policy and were dumbfounded when I told them what I was told. Never saw it expressed on their website either.
Any one else ever run into this issue?
I had a first time experience recently. My wife an... (show quote)


Hint, Professional private eyes use professional cameras.

Reply
 
 
Apr 4, 2021 18:47:59   #
Herr Barnack
 
rook2c4 wrote:
Their property, their rules. The hotel management can't legally confiscate anything, but they certainly can order you to pack up and leave if you refuse to obey the rules. Much the same way if you were renting out a room in your house and had a strict rule of no firearms permitted on the premise.


"No (supposed) professional cameras on hotel property." Right. Got it. So exactly what is a photographer supposed to do with his/her equipment after they have paid money to stay in this hotel? Put their thousands of dollars worth of camera gear in a cardboard box and set it on the sidewalk across the street so as to not offend the hotel's manager and arbitrary rules?

As the original poster stated, there was no notice on the hotel's website or in the hotel lobby or room that "professional" cameras are forbidden. Why? Because it would drive business away.

There are reasonable hotel rules and then there are arbitrary, asinine rules. Guess which category this "No professional cameras" rule is in.

Reply
Apr 4, 2021 18:49:43   #
johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle
 
Herr Barnack wrote:
"No (supposed) professional cameras on hotel property." Right. Got it. So exactly what is a photographer supposed to do with his/her equipment after they have paid money to stay in this hotel? Put their thousands of dollars worth of camera gear in a cardboard box and set it on the sidewalk across the street so as to not offend the hotel's manager and arbitrary rules?

As the original poster stated, there was no notice on the hotel's website or in the hotel lobby or room that "professional" cameras are forbidden. Why? Because it would drive business away.

There are reasonable hotel rules and then there are arbitrary, asinine rules. Guess which category this "No professional cameras" rule is in.
"No (supposed) professional cameras on hotel ... (show quote)


Cardboard boxes probably aren't needed, just a simple camera bag/backpack or hard case would probably do just fine.

Reply
Apr 4, 2021 19:12:38   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
Herr Barnack wrote:
"No (supposed) professional cameras on hotel property." Right. Got it. So exactly what is a photographer supposed to do with his/her equipment after they have paid money to stay in this hotel? Put their thousands of dollars worth of camera gear in a cardboard box and set it on the sidewalk across the street so as to not offend the hotel's manager and arbitrary rules?

As the original poster stated, there was no notice on the hotel's website or in the hotel lobby or room that "professional" cameras are forbidden. Why? Because it would drive business away.

There are reasonable hotel rules and then there are arbitrary, asinine rules. Guess which category this "No professional cameras" rule is in.
"No (supposed) professional cameras on hotel ... (show quote)


Professional cameras in the hotel are OK, but using them on the premises may not be.

Reply
Apr 4, 2021 20:13:56   #
Herr Barnack
 
That I could live with - but that is not what the OP said he was told.

Reply
 
 
Apr 4, 2021 20:34:47   #
johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle
 
Herr Barnack wrote:
That I could live with - but that is not what the OP said he was told.


He was looking to walk around the property to take advantage of the abundant wildlife. That sentence mixed with a little common sense would lead most to think they don't want people using the equipment on the property. But we can build all sorts of narratives and have fun with it.

Reply
Apr 4, 2021 21:32:27   #
frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.
 
Mi630 wrote:
I had a first time experience recently. My wife and I recently stayed at the Fairmont Princess hotel in Scottsdale, AZ. We were there about 12 days. On the second to last day I was stopped by hotel security and told I was not allowed to have “professional cameras” on property. I sad a Sony a9 with a 200-600 mm lens. The property is beautiful with lots of wildlife to shoot. I’ve stayed there 4 or 5 times in the past with no problems. Security told me only cell phones were allowed.
I went and talked to a manager and was told that policy has been in effect for about 10 years. The manager further stated that no pro camera policies are in effect at almost all hotels. Something to do with social media and private property. Maybe they think I’m going to take some sort of voyeur shots. I don’t know. All the staff at the hotel were unaware of the policy and were dumbfounded when I told them what I was told. Never saw it expressed on their website either.
Any one else ever run into this issue?
I had a first time experience recently. My wife an... (show quote)


I'm finally gonna chime in. I think there is a big misunderstanding here, by security. I would bet the rules is NO PHOTOGRAPHS on the property. They can not say no cameras allowed on property. A camera is not an illegal piece of equipment. The way it is used could be.That's like, I rent you a house and then tell you, no cameras allowed on my property. Once you rent a room, some rules they can make, and some they can not. No smoking or eating in the room is very common. But no cameras, give me a break. I do not believe they can say no cameras, no photos, yes. Remember, this is private property, but the renter still has rights.

Reply
Apr 4, 2021 22:39:40   #
Hip Coyote
 
It’s when you use cameras inside the rooms where things get a little freaky! Grrr.

Reply
Apr 5, 2021 13:24:20   #
Xiggy Freeman Loc: San Bernardino Mountains, CA
 
My solution is to have a good point and shoot with me as a backup. I also have a Minox 35 I keep in my pocket.

Reply
 
 
Apr 5, 2021 13:24:24   #
Xiggy Freeman Loc: San Bernardino Mountains, CA
 
My solution is to have a good point and shoot with me as a backup. I also have a Minox 35 I keep in my pocket.

Reply
Apr 5, 2021 14:16:45   #
Dannj
 
I think it’s safe to say that “no cameras” is security lingo for “no pictures”. It does not mean you cannot bring your camera on the property. It means you can’t take pictures on the property. I can’t fault a security guard for their way of addressing the issue.

Reply
Apr 5, 2021 17:11:30   #
Herr Barnack
 
The need here is obvious -

1: A well thought out, reasonable policy that makes sense;
2: Written notification to hotel guests that is unambiguous and does not require translation, extrapolation or guesswork;
3: Notification of said policy on the hotel website, posted in plain sight in the lobby and given in writing to guests before they spend their money on a room.

If the hotel had taken the above measures, there would not have been a problem to begin with.

Reply
Apr 11, 2021 12:03:47   #
oconnortf
 
I think almost all major chains or resort locations will have this policy (on the books) that does not mean they enforce it. But backs them up whenever they need it. Often it becomes an issue if they have recently had a complaint (or lawsuit) or... if there are VIP or celebrities on the property.
Anyone with a camera can become a paparazzi if the opportunity presents itself. Cell phones are bad enough these days for that sort of thing.

Reply
Page <<first <prev 12 of 12
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
Home | Latest Digest | Back to Top | All Sections
Contact us | Privacy policy | Terms of use | DMCA
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.