Alberta’s parks are filled with unique landscapes and vistas, which provide excellent locations for a variety of filming and photography projects. Alberta Parks is excited to work with you to ensure that your filming or photography project can take place in ways that respect environmental integrity, as well as other park visitors.
Permits for Professional Filming & Still Photography
Permits are required for any filming and photography projects that have a commercial component or have special requirements that regular park visitors taking photos don't need. Permits are required for professional filming and photography activities that:
Require access to restricted areas
Require supervision by Alberta Parks staff
Have the potential to impact park resources in ways that are inconsistent with traditional use
May interfere with other visitors' enjoyment of the park
Require exclusive use of an area
Involve sets, props, models, etc.
Involve advertising a business
Include selling stock photography
Involve monetized social media posting across any social media platform
Some student filming or photography projects
Use of any drone, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), regardless of size, for commercial filming
If you are unsure about whether or not your project requires a permit, please contact the regional permitting office for the park or site you are interested in photographing or filming. See below for contact information.
Alberta Parks recommends that all potential permit applicants begin by contacting the appropriate regional office to discuss project specifics.
Once you have submitted an initial application, an Alberta Parks representative will contact you for project details.
Forestry and Parks reserve the right to reject any permit application that may not meet the standards required to film or take still photography in a provincial park or protected area.
Ministry costs above and beyond on-site supervision that are directly related to the support of filming or photography (e.g., providing resource information, assisting with editing of scripts or videos) may be charged to the permit holder as determined by the Ministry.
Rates applied will be based upon the hours and salaries of the staff involved.
All costs to be incurred by the Parks Division in support and monitoring of the project must be paid by the production company prior to the issuance of a Filming or Photography Permit.
If the estimated costs for fees are exceeded (e.g., project took longer than originally scheduled), the additional amounts owed to the Ministry must be paid in full within a reasonable time frame established by the Ministry Representative, following the conclusion of the project.
Note: The applicant must hold public liability insurance in the amount of $2,000,000 per occurrence.
A copy of the policy or certificate will be required to be posted with the Department if the application is approved.
A minimum Security Deposit in the amount of $1,000 may be required prior to the start of filming if deemed necessary by the Department.
The Security Deposit shall be in the form of a bank draft, certified cheque or money order payable to the Government of Alberta, Province of Alberta.
