PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER INFORMATION

Professional Photography at Rhode Island State Parks

Professional Photographers must become an approved vendor to provide their services within RI State Parks.  Photographers must become approved vendors if they are charging for their services, which constitutes “doing business” in state parks.
 
APPROVED PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO:
  • Provide their services to the general public, and must be paid directly by their customer.
  • Set-up in rental sites or fields that have not been approved by Park Management.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: 
  • Submission of a signed Vendor Agreement does not guarantee that a professional photographer will be approved. Approval of events, services and vendors is at the discretion of RI State Parks. PLAN AHEAD!! The approval process can take up to 30 + DAYS. 
  • Once a professional photographer is approved, they remain on RI State Parks list of approved vendors from their initial approval date, to the expiration date on the Certificate of Insurance (COI) that RI State Parks has on file for them. *New and renewed COIs must be submitted to Erin Rogers at erin.rogers@dem.ri.gov for approval.
  • If you are not a professional photographer and not charging for your services, you do not need to become an approved vendor for groups of 15 or less, as long as you remain in general use areas and do not infringe on the ability of other patrons to enjoy the park and recreate in general use areas.
  • All photographers, regardless of whether they are a professional or hobbyist: 
    • Must contact the Parks Permit Office in advance, to ensure the location their customer has requested or reserved is suitable. 
    • Must make site, field and/or shelter rentals directly through the Parks Permit Office and must pay for the rental in advance of property use.
    • Are responsible for the set-up, breakdown and complete removal of all items immediately after use. RI State Parks has a carry in-carry out policy, which means there are no trash cans for general use.
    • Are prohibited from changing any natural or physical elements of the park.
    • Are limited to handheld items and/or props.
PROPERTY/SPECIAL USE AGREEMENTS:
  • Photo shoots that have more than 15 people, use large props or staging, or in any way interfere with normal park activities will require a Property/Special Use Agreement in addition to becoming an approved vendor.
  • Photographers must receive approval from the District Manager of the park prior to applying for a Property/Special Use Agreement online. Property/Special Use applications must be submitted online AT LEAST 30 DAYS in advance of intended use.     
  • Photographers hired for events that require a Property/Special Use Agreement (e.g., wedding, fundraiser), do not need to be approved vendors, as long as the event organizer indicates that there will be a photographer on site, and they take full responsibility for the activity, on their Property/Special Use application.  
HOW TO BECOME AN APPROVED PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER:
  • Email a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that meets the requirements set by RIDEMs Legal Division to erin.rogers@dem.ri.gov for approval. *See COI requirements below.  
  • Once your insurance is approved your business will be added to RI State Parks approved vendor list.
*CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE (COI) REQUIREMENTS:
  • COIs must indicate, The State of Rhode Island, and The Department of Environmental Management are additionally insured on a primary and non-contributory basis.
  • COIs must indicate, a waiver of subrogation for the additional insured.
  • The Certificate Holder must be, "The State of Rhode Island, and The Department of Environmental Management, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908". 
 
For a list of approved Professional Photographers go to the RI Parks Events & Rentals-Special Use Policy & Permits Page
 
If you have any questions, contact RI State Parks at 401-667-6200, or email erin.rogers@dem.ri.gov.