ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Professional photographers who work on St. Pete Beach are concerned about a proposed ordinance which would require them to get a permit from the city to operate on the sand.
“Our problem is with a permitting system,” said Xina Scuderi, Scuderi Photography owner. “We take a lot of last minute bookings and sessions constantly move.”
Scuderi worries the permit process will take too long which will cost them business. She and her husband, Kyle Fleming, owner of Fleming Photography, said a third of their photo shoots take place on St. Pete Beach. Fleming said the permits will likely make those photo shoots more expensive too.
“That cost definitely gets passed onto the client,” he said. “If they do choose to regulate beach photography sessions on the beach, hopefully they’ll hear the voice of us.”
St. Pete Beach commissioners were scheduled to vote on a first reading of the new beach ordinance on June 9 but it was tabled as city leaders said they wanted to get more feedback from residents. Fleming showed up at that meeting to speak out against the ordinance.
Commissioner Jon Maldonado said he has since talked to the photographers and is sympathetic to their concerns.
“I understand that it’s a business that relies oftentimes on the environment, weather, last minute changes. So we need to take a particular look at that,” he said. “See how it is that we can promote economic development but at the same time be fair and consistent.”
Maldonado said a nominal permit fee has been proposed.
St. Pete Beach spokesperson Marc Portugal said the ordinance as recently presented addressed photography setups with changing tents, lighting setups, and other potentially large structure obstructions that could affect the public’s use of the beach. It was not drafted to require additional registration for those active on private beach lands, or for those who are only shooting with handheld devices.
The ordinance provided a process for those with recurring events, like at the same location on specific days, to potentially register under a blanket permit, according to Portugal.
The city staff presentation included yoga classes and catered dinners as businesses that would also have to register. The ordinance also bans white foam products, bicycles, personal fireworks, unattended fishing lines and smoking or vaping on the beach with some exceptions for cigars.
Portugal said the city does not have a current timeline for when the beach ordinance will be brought back. It’s something St. Pete Beach has been working to complete for years.