HOW TO GET A HARTFORD CITY HALL PHOTOGRAPHY PERMIT

When I first saw the grand staircases, atrium, and architecture of the inside of Connecticut’s Hartford City Hall, I just knew I needed to photograph something ultra romantic and whimsical in that atrium. So when Meg + Ryan told me they wanted to take advantage of a standing tux rental, hair, and spray tan appointment they had for a friend’s wedding for their own engagement photos, I pitched Hartford City Hall for the location!

After suggesting it, I had a sneaky feeling that being a government building, it would have some strict photography rules, and I was right. Not only is a photography permit required ($50 for 1 hour), but if you want to shoot during the week, it must be after government business hours. And in an atrium (ceiling made of windows) during winter at 5 pm, this means pitch dark out and shitty lighting. A no go. So, with a strict timeline due to the rental, beauty appointments, making weekends only work, and the need to procure the photography permit, it was hard not to be a wee bit discouraged, BUT I put my game face on and got to work.

How to Apply for a Photography Permit at Hartford City Hall:

1. I would say you’d first need to determine what kind of permit you need however, for a wedding the couple is more likely to be the one renting out the atrium and all you would require is provide proof of insurance. So, you can begin one of two ways. You can call the permit office at (860) 757-9200 (open M-F 8am-5pm) and they will square you away with the application either on the phone / email the link to you, OR you can fill it out yourself right here. (I filled it out and called following up after).
2. Next step is paying the $50 fee. You must pay via check / money order made payable to The City Of Hartford. Depending on how much time you’ve got leading up to your session, you can either do this by mail OR go in person like I did (I needed to make absolutely sure I was doing it right and was getting the permit in time). They emailed the permit immediately upon payment so I was instantly relieved. If you’re paying by mail skip to step #4.
3. If you are paying in person, the Department of Development Services is not in Hartford City Hall (this confused me; I had to walk a few blocks to find it, but it was a gorgeous day for a 10 min stroll). The address is 260 Constitution Plaza, 1st Fl, Hartford, 06103. I walked right past it, HA, so when I did find it, I took a video of the entrance so you wouldn’t look as ridiculous as I did trying to find this place. As you can see in the video below, it is directly next to a branch of the Uconn School of Business and it looks like an insurance company inside, however I promise you’re in the right place. The front desk will point you to the office down the hall to the left!

4. Last order of business! Getting inside Hartford City Hall during Off Hours! They don’t volunteer any information so I knew I needed to figure this out before the day of the session, I kept envisioning a nightmare where I was able to secure the permit but couldn’t figure out how to get inside (I’m so dramatic I know, but also, you’re welcome). I originally made the video for Meg + Ryan so ignore some of the commentary though most of it also pertains to you! I just won’t be there when you are 🙂

And that’s all she wrote! You are ready to book an engagement session at Hartford City Hall without any hiccups!

Meg + Ryan