Commercial Use Permits To Be Allowed On MDC Areas In July

The Missouri Department of Conservation has announced that professional photographers and videographers will allow commercial-use permits to be obtained to photograph and film on MDC areas beginning in July.

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval for the proposed change that requires permits, but allows, for commercial or for-profit photography or videography on department areas.

Commercial-use permits are not required for news agencies, hobby photographers and videographers, or those taking personal pictures or videos. Photography and filming on MDC areas for non-commercial use have been and remain allowed on MDC areas without the need for a commercial-use permit.

Professional, for-profit photography and filming have previously been restricted on MDC areas as “commercial use” activities. The new regulations, effective July 1, will allow commercial photography and filming on MDC areas through new commercial use permits. The new regulations come amidst requests from photographers and videographers to allow commercial photography and videography on conservation areas.

The proposed regulations were initially approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission in September 2020. The Commission gave final approval to the proposed regulations in December 2020. The regulations go into effect July 1.