Mill Race Village's New Regulations for Photographers
For years, professional photographers have graced the grounds of Mill Race Historical Village to capture important events such as weddings, engagement sessions or even Senior Class pictures. With a river that runs near the village and brightly colored buildings; this picturesque back drop of Mill Race Historical Village has been a photographer’s haven throughout the years.
Effective May 1st, 2011, photographers and videographers were greeted with signage letting them know that they were no longer free to just take photos in the Village without a permit. This new policy requires photographers and videographers who want to take photos to sign a contract, provide a copy of insurance and pay a fee of $500.00. In return, photographers and videographers will be issued a MRV Photographers badge and will be given an electronic calendar with all private events going on at the Village. This is exclusive information that will not be given out to the public. Preferred photographers and videographers will no longer have to worry about showing up with clients when other private events are going on. Preferred vendors will also be listed on Mill Race Village’s vendor list and given to couples getting married at Mill Race.
One could argue that Mill Race Historical Village is a public entity and how can the Village charge photographers and videographers a fee to be in a public place? Well, Mill Race is managed by the Northville Historical Society and the Historical Society has determined that damage has been done to the buildings over the course of the years. This is one way for the Northville Historical Society to control who is on their property.
If a person is at Mill Race Historical Village with their family or on a school outing, they can still take pictures while at the Village. This new policy only affects professional photographers and videographers.
Brian Gray
7:31 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Really Northville historical society? Are the photographers the ones doing the damage? What about rowdy kids? Or how about ignorant moms? What about disrespectful runners. They can't be taxpayers. I got an idea, how about a $5/ day guest pass to walk on the sidewalk in downtown Northville? Or better yet, why not post a worker (teamsters or UAW preferably) to enforce a $500 annual permit for all those that wish to use Northville parks, or any public space for that matter. You can position it as a job growth initiative. Or here's another idea, maybe you should set up some video cameras to record who those said violators are and then engage the authorities as needed. Just make sure you pay yourself the annual permit fee.
Jack Klarr
7:56 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Unecessary and unwarranted.
Jeff Moore
12:07 am on Thursday, May 26, 2011
Mill Race Village is a great place to take photographs. Many great backdrops throughout the park, but I honestly don't see anyone paying to shoot there. It's not the only nice place to take a picture. The Historical Society, like many others nowadays, are just being greedy, and alienating a large group that bring people to the village every year. I like the village. I've shot there many times over the years, but I have no problem going somewhere else to take a professional photo. There are many beautiful spots in Northville alone, but surrounding areas too. I'm sorry the society has to take this position and now lose all those oppertunities for others that say "how beautiful, where was that picture taken?" ...not Mill Race. Not anymore.