Photographers On The Beach in Walton County

[FactorFiction]

Our beaches are beautiful backdrops for all types of photography, so it is understandable that photographers and their clients are taking advantage of that; however, I have been dismayed to see quite a few of them using the dunes and/or private walkovers for photo sessions. I don't mean that they are using them as a backdrop, they are physically in the dunes or on walkovers/decks without invitation. I also recently learned that photographers are considered vendors on the beach and are supposed to be permitted and follow the rules for vendors. Photographers and clients/subjects, please remember to be courteous as you go about preserving your memories.

 

[John G]

No surprise... more vendors taking advantage of the lack of enforcement and the culture that the enforcement agencies have created.

 

[gumby]

We had to run 3 car loads of tourons out of our community the other day. Somebody at Sandestin gave them our gate code. They were - as you mentioned - on the dunes and blocking the boardwalk, not to mention, trespassing on private property. Their only response - can we at least take our pictures before we leave? NO!!!!!!

 

[FactorFiction]

We had to run 3 car loads of tourons out of our community the other day. Somebody at Sandestin gave them our gate code. They were - as you mentioned - on the dunes and blocking the boardwalk, not to mention, trespassing on private property. Their only response - can we at least take our pictures before we leave? NO!!!!!!

I've heard similar complaints numerous times and observed it myself several times. Under vendor rules, any photography on a private beach would need written upland owner authorization. Even under customary use on the beach, there is a 15 foot corridor that should not be used from the toe of the dune or private structure. Sounds like time for a gate code change in your neighborhood!

 

[Jimmy T]

We had to run 3 car loads of tourons out of our community the other day. Somebody at Sandestin gave them our gate code. They were - as you mentioned - on the dunes and blocking the boardwalk, not to mention, trespassing on private property. Their only response - can we at least take our pictures before we leave? NO!!!!!!

I've experienced similar behavior with some visitors around our place also. I don't understand why they think it's OK to do things like this. How would they feel if somebody did something like this at their homes?

 

[elgordoboy]

The Seagrass of Liberty must at times be watered with the blood of ignorant visitors and local ...somethings. Pitchforks. Torches.