Still Photography

Any photographer (regardless if they are a professional, amateur or student), ad agency or other commercial entity wishing to photograph models at Eastern State Penitentiary or conduct shoots that require equipment aside from a single tripod, monopod, easel or stool are required to make reservations two weeks in advance, provide a Certificate of Insurance and sign our Site Rental Agreement.

Persons wishing to photograph the building only may be able photograph during our regular public hours. Please see our photography page for additional information.

Price

The price for still photography shoots is $25 per person per hour.

This per person fee applies to each person present (models, photographers, assistants etc.). There is a minimum charge of $125/hour (five people). In addition to the per person fee, there is a $250 surcharge for all photo groups of 11 or more people.

Insurance

A certificate of insurance in the amount of $1,000,000, naming "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc" and "City of Philadelphia" additionally insured is required for all film and photo shoots. The Certificate of Insurance requirement is waived for groups of five or fewer.

Available Spaces

To see the areas of the penitentiary available for Still Photography please download our Film & Photo Shoot Availability Map. It is strongly recommend that, when possible, photographers scout the site before the shoot to determine what spaces they would like to shoot in. The Site Rental Agreement will list the specific spaces the photographer(s) is permitted to shoot in during the rental.

Photographing In Public Spaces After Your Private Shoot

If the penitentiary is open to the public, you may stay and photograph in public areas of the penitentiary complex following your private shoot at no additional charge. No models are permitted in public areas during public hours and equipment is limited a single tripod, monopod, easel or stool. Although the admission fee is waived, photographers must purchase an equipment pass if they wish to use a tripod, monopod, easel or stool. Please see our photography page for additional information.

Sample Site Rental Agreement - Film & Photo Shoots

The following is a location rental agreement between Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. (ESPHS) and:
Contact Name:

Company/Group Name:

Mailing Address:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Eastern State Penitentiary is a National Historic Landmark, and care for its preservation is the primary focus of all activity on the property. This protocol will help insure the safety of the crew and property during shooting at the site.

1. A single member of [Company Name] will be responsible for making this protocol understood by the crew, and enforcing it. That person will be the primary contact for Eastern State Penitentiary staff during the site rental. Copies of this agreement will be given by the supervisor to all staff on the crew.

2. A location fee of $[__________] will be paid to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. (ESPHS) before any activity takes place on the property.

• This rental fee is for up to [__________] people including all participants, talent, crew, models, etc. Additional persons will be billed at $50/person.
• Fees listed above are for the rental of the penitentiary from [time] to [time] on [date]. Additional time will be billed at $50/hour to the nearest quarter hour.
• A security deposit of 15% of the total rental fee is required. The balance of the security deposit will be returned to [Company Name] via the USPS within 30 days of the conclusion of the shoot.
• Payment and security deposit are due in full prior to the start of the shoot.

3. In addition to the rental fee, a certificate of insurance in the amount of $1,000,000, naming "Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc" and "City of Philadelphia" additionally insured is required.

4. ESPHS will provide one badge for each crew member to wear during the shoot. Crew members must wear these badges at all times when on the site. Models and actors may keep their badge on a bag or attached to another personal item. Badges must be returned to ESPHS at the concussion of the shoot. [Company Name] will be billed $10 for each missing badge.

5. [Company Name] will have access to the following spaces only:

(specific spaces will be listed)

Crew members may not shoot or wander outside of the approved work areas specifically listed above without prior written approval from ESPHS. Crew members who violate this policy will be asked to leave the penitentiary complex without refund.

6. Participants should come fully dressed and made up, as Eastern State Penitentiary does not have facilities to change or prepare for a photo shoot. There is no running water on the site. The cast and crew will have access to portopots.

7. All work at Eastern State must be completely reversible. The crew may not nail into / damage any existing materials or structure without approval from the historic site staff and City of Philadelphia Historical Commission. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to:

1. Nailing or driving screws into any surface.

2. Placing tape on any painted surface.

3. Painting (intentionally or unintentionally) any surface.

8. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the property, including exterior spaces within the complex. All members of the crew must leave the property to smoke.

9. All gates and doors normally locked, including the front Gatehouse gate, must be kept locked at all times. Do not leave locks unfastened.

10. Crew members may not bring guests onto the property without prior permission from ESPHS.

11. Crew members must store all flammable material (gasoline, etc.) outside building.

12. Crew members may not remove any materials from the Historic Site that was not brought in by the crew, including "trash", rubble, artifacts, or souvenirs.

13. There can be no nudity, semi-nudity, or sexually explicit images shot at Eastern State Penitentiary.

14. Eastern State Penitentiary's exhibits and art installations may not be filmed or photographed without prior approval from ESPHS.

15. [Company Name] may solicit their own press coverage of the shoot; however, all releases of any kind (press releases, media alerts etc.) must be approved by ESPHS prior to distribution.

16. The following additional guidelines apply to all shoots with a crew of 21 or more people:

a. The crew will provide the Historic Site with an all-inclusive list with the names of every person who will enter the property during the shoot (all crew members, contractors, caterers, talent etc.).

17. A signed copy of this protocol, along with a copy of the certificate of insurance (details listed above) and a complete list of all locations where photographing will take place must be returned to the ESPHS by [time] on [date].

18. Cancellations must be made 72 hours in advance for weekend reservations and 24 hours in advance for weekday reservations.

__________________________________________	_________________
Title	Company
__________________________________________	_________________
Signature	Date
__________________________________________	_________________
Brett Bertolino, ESPHS	Date

If you have question or are ready to schedule a shoot, please contact Brett Bertolino, Assistant Program Director at --EMail-- or 215-236-5111 x12.

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