Photography Quickguide

 

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a beautiful landscape that protects and preserves historic structures on hallowed ground. Today, this shared ground offers opportunities for both reflection and limited recreation. Please be mindful of the sensitive nature of this park and use the guide below to respectfully enjoy its space.

Standard Conditions for Photography and Filmography Within the Park

1. Parking at Fort McHenry NM&HS is available to the public on a first come, first served basis. Parking in the main visitor center lot is limited with additional parking located at the grass and gravel overflow lot. Shuttles and busses may only park in one of the six bus parking spaces. For additional information about parking, including accessing the park after 5:00 pm, please refer to the park hours of operation.

2. Any requests to photograph in the park outside of its hours of opertation will require a filming, photography, and audio recordings permit. Permit requests for activities occuring outside of park hours are dependent on the availability of staff to give permittees access to the site outside its normal hours. Permittees should expect to pay cost recovery fees for staff time for providing access to the site.

3. The launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft (such as a drone) from or on lands within the boundaries of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Superintendent.

4. No alcoholic beverages are permitted inside the park visitor center. The possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the Star Fort Historic Zone. Alcoholic beverages may not be used as props for photos.

5. Any filming or photography activity that occurs within the Star Fort Historic Zone are subject to the entrance fees for that area. For more information on park entrance fees, please visit the park's fees and passes page.

6. Visitors are not permitted to sit and pose on windowsills or other historic structures.

7. Climbing and sitting on trees is prohibited due to the sensitivity of the resources.

8. Photography activities cannot in any way interfere with or impede on the experience or access of visitors to the site. This includes access to parking, walkways, entrances, and exhibits.

9. No alteration of the buildings or natural setting can be made for the purpose of “setting up” a scene. This includes placing or holding props, opening/closing fence gates and doors, and relocating and/or removing plants and wildlife.

Additional federal laws and policies are outlined in the Superintendent’s Compendium. If you have any questions about park policies, please contact the park's Special Park Use Permit Coordinator.

When a Permit is Required

 

Helpful Questions to Determine if Photogrpahy Sessions Need a Permit

If after reading through these questions you are still unsure if your activity requires a permit, please contact the park's Special Park Use Permits Coordinator.

Will the session have models, sets, or props?

If the photography session will require models, sets, or props, than a photography permit will be required. The definitions of those items are listed below:

Models:  a person or object that serves as the subject for still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Portrait subjects such as wedding parties and high school graduates are not considered models.

Sets and Props: items constructed or placed on NPS lands to facilitate still photography, including backdrops, generators, microphones, stages, lighting banks, camera tracks, vehicles, rope and pulley systems, rigging, trained animals or inanimate objects, such as camping equipment, campfire, wagons, and so forth, when used to stage a specific scene. The use of a camera on a tripod is not considered a prop.

Will there be more equipment than a camera on a tripod?

If the photography session will require more equipment than a camera and tripod, than a photography permit will be required.

Will the session take place in areas not accessible to the public?

If the photography session will take place in areas either not accessible to the general public or areas of the park that are closed, then a photography permit will be required.

Will there be more than 8 people at the session?

In accordance with the EXPLORE Act, any photography or filming activity that involves more than 8 individuals will require a permit to take place. This includes all photography subjects, participants, and crew.

How can I apply for a Photography permit?

Follow the instructions on the Filming/Photography/Audio Recordings page and allow at least 6 weeks for the permit to process.

 

A flow chart showing permit decision making

NPS