Hi guys. I was wondering if there are churches that requires photographers accreditation. I mean, the only guys who can cover/shoot in a particular church are those that have accreditation to them. Is there a list? Is San Agustin in Intramuros one of those churches?

To the mods, if a thread like this already exists, please lock or delete this one and just point me to that thread.

Thank you. :)

I don't think San Agustin requires accreditation but if you are shooting there professionally, it might be a good idea to check on them all the rules. They are very strict with the time. Normally, the wedding should be within 50 minutes from entrance to exit.

Manila Cathedral and Shrine of Jesus require you to attend a seminar before covering an event there. San Sebatian give a 5-minute briefing before the start of ceremony.

Dino, Bro.! Thanks for the info. man! 'Appreciate the heads-up. :)

Thanks Dino for the helpful info. :)

I have never heard of having to be accredited in a Church as a photographer. What does exixt though is having to attend a seminar in Manila Cathedral prior to doing a coverage there. Other Churches require a permit for the coverage and other Churches ban you if you don't comply with their rules and regulations. So I guess as long as you are not banned, you are accredited:Grin: HTH

I have never heard of having to be accredited in a Church as a photographer. What does exixt though is having to attend a seminar in Manila Cathedral prior to doing a coverage there. Other Churches require a permit for the coverage and other Churches ban you if you don't comply with their rules and regulations. So I guess as long as you are not banned, you are accredited:Grin: HTH
same goes for the church near mall of asia(shrine of jesus) photographers are briefed also on thier limitations to maintain the solemnity of the event..:)

Barasoain Church in Maolos Bulacan had accredited only four photog studio, Yeah, gladly my sister-in-law was a friend of the owner of one of the accredited four studios, so I got a discounted rate.

i know dami church sa manila may mga accredited photographer but if ikaw yun napili ng client,the client need to get permit , alam ko sa San agustin may fee if your not accredited photographer, also some of the venue have official photographer the client pay extra if he/she get outside photographer , pero s atin mga photographer syempre shoulder ng client yun tama po ba:)

mmmmmmm... At one point; I just don't get it... It's a religious institution. Why is there a need for accreditation?

mmmmmmm... At one point; I just don't get it... It's a religious institution. Why is there a need for accreditation?

I too, find the issue of accreditation quite strange... I think the idea sprang from the issue that photographers and videographers often destroy the solemnity of the occassion because they tend to be more visible than the couples themselves. Too often, people notice photographers, videographer and their assistants, especially the assistants, shuttling from one end of the church to another as if they're the only persons there.

As such, churches "accredit" certain photographers because they have been briefed regarding these matters. However, if this involves accreditation by which they pay certain amount so that the church becomes a sort of a turf for them, for me the motives seems to have changed focus.

I too, find the issue of accreditation quite strange... I think the idea sprang from the issue that photographers and videographers often destroy the solemnity of the occassion because they tend to be more visible than the couples themselves. Too often, people notice photographers, videographer and their assistants, especially the assistants, shuttling from one end of the church to another as if they're the only persons there.

As such, churches "accredit" certain photographers because they have been briefed regarding these matters. However, if this involves accreditation by which they pay certain amount so that the church becomes a sort of a turf for them, for me the motives seems to have changed focus.

IMO these churches should concentrate more on giving what the couple wants... For crying out loud (FCOL) these institutions are asking sustainance from public donations... :Thinking: tsk tsk tsk...

Well from my experience at Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, they charge Php 500.00 for a shooting permit but when you read the details of the permit it is not actually for accreditation or profit sharing but more on the electricity cost being used by the videographers for their 1000 watts video lights. Perhaps, this is just a slight oversight in the use of terminology.

Well from my experience at Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, they charge Php 500.00 for a shooting permit but when you read the details of the permit it is not actually for accreditation or profit sharing but more on the electricity cost being used by the videographers for their 1000 watts video lights. Perhaps, this is just a slight oversight in the use of terminology.

This is indeed a very good point Eric. :)

Well from my experience at Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, they charge Php 500.00 for a shooting permit but when you read the details of the permit it is not actually for accreditation or profit sharing but more on the electricity cost being used by the videographers for their 1000 watts video lights. Perhaps, this is just a slight oversight in the use of terminology.


Yes on top of that, they charge the couple 15,000-20,000 to use the Church. I think the permit fee, process, is a bunch of BS. Ok, they already charge the couple an arm and a leg and then try to stiff them for another 500 pesos for photographer/video fees...(All permits under my studio is covered by the client. BTW) I mean if they are are trying to control the "hunters" from coming in and taking photographs, I would understand the need for the permit. However, I have encountered hunters in some weddings in Santuario and when the couple is a society couple or a celebriity, there are other photographers from magazines and newspapers that show up and the guards dont control them (I am sure they have no permits) and most of the time they are extremely obtrusive, get on the way and have no respect for the solemnity of the rites.:Angry: So what really is the need for the permit?

Sensei Earl,

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu.

Mam Pilar,

I spoke to the parish secretary of Santuario last month and she said that the reason behind the shooting permit is to prevent head hunters from shooting in the church and getting in the way of the official commissioned photographers. There was an incident wherein said head-hunters even gate crashed at the reception in one of the 5-star hotels in Makati, demanded a table of their own and even ate ahead of the guests. After the wedding reception, one of them approached the couple with a CD Proof of the photos they have taken and were demanding payment from the surprised newly weds. The couple then complained to the parish office and the secretary said that they cannot prevent this from happening, the best that they can do is to control them.

Regarding Press People, I guess they have a Press ID to flash to the guards. There are some who know how to observe protocol but there are also others who get in the way and disturb the solemnity of the rites. I do hope that the Church Authorities come up with a standard guideline applicable to all of the parishes. I'm sure you are well aware that in Europe, some churches don't allow the photographers to shoot inside the Church that's why they have a shoot around the city right after the wedding. The rates of the churches in the Philippines are now sort of standard since most of them are airconditioned. The electric bill of Manila Cathedral alone per month is more than Php 1.5 million. Hope I have answered your question.

When I did a wedding production there (photo and video) there a couple of months ago, Eric's explanation was the same thing given to us by the secretary. But the P500 is supposed to be for the lights, that they turn on at the altar during the crucial parts of the ceremony. Those are the 2 lights on the upper right and left edge of the altar. We could have shot it without that as we have our own lights, but decided to pay for it so as not to have no problems.

When I shoot places like this, I have a photocopy of the permit with each of my shooters so as not to have problems. We also make sure that we are in uniform, meaning - men in black and brown. As an extra, we try to speak english when in ear shot, so that the guards think we are not run of the mill group. Dang, the things you have to do for appearances sake!

Sensei Earl,

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu.

Mam Pilar,

I spoke to the parish secretary of Santuario last month and she said that the reason behind the shooting permit is to prevent head hunters from shooting in the church and getting in the way of the official commissioned photographers. There was an incident wherein said head-hunters even gate crashed at the reception in one of the 5-star hotels in Makati, demanded a table of their own and even ate ahead of the guests. After the wedding reception, one of them approached the couple with a CD Proof of the photos they have taken and were demanding payment from the surprised newly weds. The couple then complained to the parish office and the secretary said that they cannot prevent this from happening, the best that they can do is to control them.

Regarding Press People, I guess they have a Press ID to flash to the guards. There are some who know how to observe protocol but there are also others who get in the way and disturb the solemnity of the rites. I do hope that the Church Authorities come up with a standard guideline applicable to all of the parishes. I'm sure you are well aware that in Europe, some churches don't allow the photographers to shoot inside the Church that's why they have a shoot around the city right after the wedding. The rates of the churches in the Philippines are now sort of standard since most of them are airconditioned. The electric bill of Manila Cathedral alone per month is more than Php 1.5 million. Hope I have answered your question.

Douitashimashite Tomodachi-san. :)

With regards to your brief narrative... I appreciate it's conciseness and precision. I'm sure alot would benefit from the information you took time to key-in. :)

All the best Bro.