Photographers petition Banff to relax business licence
Outside photographers need to buy $700 licence to shoot in the region
CBC News
Posted: Feb 14, 2012 12:35 PM MT
Last Updated: Feb 14, 2012 1:52 PM MT
Calgary photographers who work in Banff need to purchase a $700 business licence. (Shutter Runner, via Flickr)
Calgary-based photographers are upset after Banff officials began enforcing bylaws requiring them to purchase a business licence, even if they only work in Banff a few times a year.
A petition of 360 names is sitting with the town council urging a relaxation of rules governing outside photographers.
For Calgary-based photographers like Diane Scaman, working in Banff is becoming a Rocky experience.
"It's part of business, going to drive costs up, so I'm definitely worried about it.”
She's thinking about increasing the price she charges for gigs in Banff or avoiding the mountain community altogether.
In the last year, visiting photographers have received warnings from Banff's bylaw department telling them to purchase a business licence, if they want to work in the town.
That license costs more than $700.
"It's a big cost that's going to be passed on to brides and grooms,” said Scaman.
Banff's Mayor Karen Sorensen, says council is looking at providing temporary licenses, for those only spending a few days in town.
"If we do look at varying the system into more of a sliding scale, we need to recognize it also increases costs of that system."
Some Calgary photographers will submit their suggestions in the coming weeks.
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