Starting this year, Zenkaikon is implementing a Photographer Badge to help prevent safety issues and provide more opportunities for photographers within the convention space.

If you intend to charge attendees, accept tips, or a mixture of both for photography services, we require you to register with the Communications Division by purchasing a Photographer badge.

Photographers with a Photographer badge may charge for sessions at rates negotiated directly between photographers and attendees.

The cost for this introductory year is $20, in addition to the cost of entry.

Anyone attempting to charge or accept tips for their photography services without a badge will be escorted to the Communications Office to purchase one; refusal to abide by these rules will result in the revocation of your badge.

Any issues or complaints against any photographer, badge holder or not, may be reported directly to our Communications Division here: https://forms.gle/CLKvLD3S1b9yfpj88

Zenkaikon makes no endorsements as to the quality of the products or services offered. Purchasers of Photographer badges are not business affiliates of Zenkaikon. Any Zenkaikon attendee, including purchasers of Photographer badges, who disrupts the convention or attempts to commit fraud against other attendees may be subject to expulsion from the convention and a revocation of membership privileges.

Photographer Badge Guidelines

Any photographer approached by staff should present their Photographer badge. If you do not have one, you will be directed to the Communications Office to purchase one. These badges will be available for pre-registration through this form as well as on-location.

Photographer Badge holders must:

• Register with the convention using this form
• Inform those interested in services of its paid nature before taking any photos
• Provide a complete list of equipment to the Communications Office and have all equipment approved for use
• Receive consent/permission before photographing anyone

Photographer Badge holders may:

• Charge for photography sessions and receive tips for their work
• Utilize designed Photography areas in which they are allowed the use of tripods, monopods, and similar freestanding equipment (limit two total; must use battery-powered equipment)
• Conduct their services throughout the convention space, restrictions withstanding, with their camera and attachments (attachments should not pose a safety or traffic issue)
• Advertise their services within the Zenkaikon Facebook group, Zenkaikon Discord, and other online platforms

Photographer Badge holders may not:

• Conduct photography in areas that would block vital foot traffic, such as stairways, entrances/exits, wheelchair ramps, and elevators
• Block traffic for extended periods; photoshoots should be quick and minimize the impact on foot traffic in the convention space
• Enter staff-only or otherwise restricted areas
• Instruct, demand, or otherwise require attendees to vacate from an area; you may politely ask for their cooperation and must respect the answer
• Ignore staff instruction; The Safety of our attendees and Operations of the convention take precedence and supersede any other guidelines
• Harass, pester, or be rude to any attendee; complaints may result in the revocation of your Photographer badge or removal from the convention