Photographers push again on George Eastman Museum’s new picture coverage

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — A brand new coverage on the George Eastman Museum is drawing pushback from native photographers after the historic venue introduced it is going to start charging a whole bunch of {dollars} per hour for picture periods on its property.

The museum posted revised rules Monday, stating it is going to now cost $400 per hour for outside picture periods and $600 per hour for indoor periods. The coverage says all special-event images will solely be permitted with a pre-approved, paid reservation. This applies to each paid skilled and unpaid non-professional images.

BACKGROUND: George Eastman Museum introduces new images restrictions

Local photographer Erin Cummings, who has taken photographs on the historic grounds for years, mentioned the brand new charges may deter purchasers from reserving periods on the museum, which she described as her most requested location.

“I feel like a lot of photographers that I know are taking it as a message of ‘We just don’t want you there,'” Cummings said. “I hope that’s not their intention.”

Museum leaders said the changes are necessary due to popularity, and said many photographers who have not made prior arrangements are disrupting visitors’ enjoyment.

“I think every prom photo request I got was at the George Eastman House,” Cummings said. ” So I am trying to see it from their perspective; they need to protect the museum, and they need to protect the grounds. This just feels like a big overreaction to that.”

Cummings said before the change, she did not have to pay anything to shoot sessions outside.

“I’m going to have to have conversations with every single one of the seniors that I’ve already arranged with and try and pivot,” Cummings mentioned.

The museum additionally mentioned on its web site that the brand new coverage will assist it defend and keep the historic gardens and supply an orderly atmosphere.

Cummings believes there may very well be different options.

“I feel we are able to come to a decision if the museum is open to it, and I don’t suppose the daddy of fashionable images would approve of the choice, on condition that his objective was to place a digicam in each hand in America, proper?” Cummings said. “That was his entire factor.”

13WHAM reached out to the museum to request an interview and additional remark and has not but heard again.