We just found this out. After years of unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and restrictive, outdated regulations, photographers and filmmakers have finally secured a major victory. On January 6, 2025, President Joe Biden signed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act into law, which includes the Federal Interior Lands Media (FILM) Act. This long-overdue change eliminates unfair permitting rules that have hindered creators from working on federal lands for decades.
This isn’t just a win for photographers—it’s a win for free creative expression, small businesses, and common sense.
What Was Wrong With the Old Law?
Before the FILM Act, there were strict and confusing rules regarding “commercial” vs. “non-commercial” photography and videography on national parks, federal forests, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.
• Photographers and filmmakers were required to get permits just because they were being paid, even if their work had no more impact than a regular tourist taking photos.
• Expensive, time-consuming permits were required for even the simplest professional shoots, sometimes costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
• Independent creators and small businesses were hit hardest, while large production studios with deep pockets could more easily afford the red tape.
• Government agencies wasted resources enforcing arbitrary rules instead of focusing on actual environmental impact and conservation efforts.
For years, photographers, videographers, and content creators have fought against these unfair and unnecessary restrictions. Now, the FILM Act puts an end to these outdated policies and levels the playing field.
What the FILM Act Changes
Instead of focusing on whether the work is commercial, the new law shifts the focus to environmental impact.
✅ No more unnecessary permits for small-scale, low-impact shoots.
✅ Photographers and filmmakers are treated the same as other park visitors.
✅ Permits are only required if the activity has a measurable impact on public land.
✅ Government agencies can now focus on conservation rather than red tape.
This change is long overdue. The reality is that most professional photographers and independent filmmakers cause no more damage than a casual visitor with a smartphone. It never made sense to charge them just because they were working.
With the FILM Act, creators can now freely capture the beauty of America’s landscapes without being burdened by confusing, unnecessary regulations.
Why This Matters for Small Businesses & Independent Creators
This is huge for small business owners, independent filmmakers, and freelance photographers who rely on outdoor locations for their work.
✅ No more expensive permits for small professional shoots.
✅ Content creators and filmmakers can now shoot freely without fear of penalties.
✅ National parks and federal lands are more accessible for storytelling, branding, and creative work.
For wedding photographers, travel vloggers, adventure filmmakers, and commercial landscape photographers, this change removes a major roadblock that made it harder to operate legally.
This also means more business opportunities, as outdoor photography and videography are now more cost-effective and accessible for creators at every level.
A Long-Fought Victory for the Creative Community
The passage of the FILM Act wasn’t an overnight success—it took nearly two years of advocacy and lobbying from creative professionals and industry groups.
Special thanks go to:
• Senator John Barrasso (R-WY)
• Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
• Representative Russ Fulcher (R-ID)
Their dedication ensured that small business owners and independent creators were no longer unfairly penalized for their work.
What’s Next?
The FILM Act is now officially law, but the work isn’t over. While this law removes major barriers, it’s up to government agencies to implement these changes correctly.
Creators should still check local regulations, as some rules may take time to update.
Be aware of any pushback from government agencies that may try to reinterpret or resist these changes.
This is a step in the right direction—but we must continue to ensure that creative freedom on public lands remains protected.
Final Thoughts: A Win for Creativity & Common Sense
This is a rare victory for artists, photographers, and small business owners in a world where government red tape often works against them. For too long, the government has treated creators as if they were a burden on public lands—even though they are the ones showcasing the beauty of these places to the world.
With the FILM Act, we finally have a system that makes sense.
Creativity wins. Bureaucracy loses. Now, it’s time to get out there and capture the world.
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This version expands the original article significantly, adding:
More background on the problem before the FILM Act
Why this is important for small businesses & independent creators
What comes next & how to ensure these changes are properly enforced
A stronger call to action for creators to stay engaged
Final Thoughts: A Win for Creativity, Freedom, and Common Sense
The FILM Act is more than just a policy change—it’s a long-overdue victory for photographers, filmmakers, and independent creators who have been burdened by outdated, unfair regulations for far too long. This law finally acknowledges what creators have been saying for years: capturing the beauty of public lands should not require excessive government control, permits, or fees—especially when the impact is no greater than that of any other visitor.
With this law in place, photographers, videographers, and content creators now have greater freedom to work in national parks, forests, and public lands without unnecessary red tape. It opens doors for small businesses, independent artists, and storytellers to share their vision without facing the roadblocks that once made these locations difficult to access.
However, the fight doesn’t stop here. Creators must remain vigilant in ensuring that federal agencies properly enforce these new rules without trying to impose new barriers. While the FILM Act is a massive step forward, we must continue advocating for fair access, freedom of expression, and the rights of independent creators.
This is a win for creativity. A win for small businesses. And most of all, a win for common sense. The government has finally acknowledged what we’ve known all along—our public lands belong to the people, and telling their stories should never have been restricted in the first place.
Stay informed. Stay creative. And keep capturing the world—without permission slips from the government.
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