Working (photography) in the US?

[Savage]

To all the photographers out there. Is there any problems bringing your gear with you across the border when you go shoot in the states? I was thinking of hiring a model across the border and bringing a makeup artist with me. Was wondering if anyone has any advise? Will the makeup artist get hassled for bringing her gear?

Thanks.

 

[Purrr VertIcal]

Among the functions of The Border are :
To Ensure you are not working illegally in the other's country.

So if you are photographer, what matters is if you are Formally Employed (can it be proven?) and on assignment with a Company?

If you are freelance,
It comes down to this:
- how can they prove what you intend to do with any photography you shoot? - For all they know, you are a tourist, or an amateur shooting on location for practice.

So what if you have a 'truckload' of make-up?

Like in the US, National Parks have tried to legislate that pro-photographers must buy a permit. Such Hooey! Prove it.
Unless I'm with Hollywood and bringing in a semi-trailer full of gear and a crew...

If you are on formal assignment for Nike, then be legit.
Otherwise, think it through. A camera, tripod, and make-up, (etc) are normal things to take on a trip with you. What you do with your photography later on down the line is your business.

 

[trackstar]

To all the photographers out there. Is there any problems bringing your gear with you across the border when you go shoot in the states? I was thinking of hiring a model across the border and bringing a makeup artist with me. Was wondering if anyone has any advise? Will the makeup artist get hassled for bringing her gear?

Thanks.

If you have professional equipment, be prepared to be hassled. I had my guitar and amp in my trunk and went through 3 hours of hell trying to prove that I was not entering into the US to perform. On the way back, the Canadian side put me through more of the same, plus ran serial numbers and pushed for proof that I bought my gear in Canada and wasn't trying to sneak purchases over the line. You may get through both ways with no hassle, but be prepared for problems just in case.

 

[MissJasmine]

I would be very careful about bringing professional equipment. Unless you have US citizenship or a work permit you are legally not supposed to work there. If you end up with a cranky official who even suspects you of working he/she will likely hassle and delay you...even if they dont have solid evidence youre doing anything wrong. It happens all the time.

 

[mick_eight]

I was turned back because of a large toolbox . Also you can be arrested and deported if you help someone other than family to say paint a house. The thnking for them is you're taking possible work from an american.

 

[56andfixed]

I went through a huge hassle Aug 2006

First problem was that I have a van, and vans all get a thorough examination.

They went through each of my 4 laptops? (Why 4 laptops? They run on Windows ! It's the nature to screw up. It's called plan B, C & D).

They rewound my video cam and played it to see what I had recorded. This was while I was inside the building, having my wallet gone through, each and every business card, and all my cash counted.

I didn't find out that they re-wound my video camera, until I played it back and I could see the prior video truncated.

The 9/11 & Homeland Security thing has changed bordere crossing forever.

 

[Savage]

So if I was going down to work on a personal project do you think i would get hassled? Also, who would you talk to to check, US customs?

 

[MissJasmine]

So if I was going down to work on a personal project do you think i would get hassled? Also, who would you talk to to check, US customs?

US customs does not answer the phone, and even if they could give you general information you need the actual determining factor is whether or not the customs offical admitting you is having a good day, that day. Good luck

 

[Sandman333]

If you contact Canada Customs, you should be able to register your photography gear ahead of time. Then you will have a form with your registered gear that you can present to the customs agents. This should help avoid hassles.