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Photographers dispute Fairfax Co. park fees for public shoots

WASHINGTON — A group of local photographers will air grievances to the Fairfax County Park Authority on Wednesday, claiming that the board’s costs for shooting photos in its public parks are unreasonable.

For-profit and commercial use photographers pay $100 for the first two hours, according to the Park Authority’s website.  It’s $50 for each additional hour and permits are issued by the county’s Public Information Office. Annual permits, which give photographers access to all Fairfax County parks and facilities, is $500. A permit is required for each session.

The issue, as reported by the Washington Post, is about affordability: In a recent survey, more than 55 percent of full-time photographers earn less than $30,000 per year. The fees, they told the Post, will fall on lower- to middle-income photographers who want to use the public parks as scenery.

A public hearing on the Fairfax park fees will take place 7 p.m. Wednesday in room 106 of the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax.

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