Anarchy 999
Posts: 367
Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Who was the US photographer that was turned back at Australian airport, had their tourist visa revoked? Featured last night on Aussie Border Patrol show. A new MM celebrity !
The story goes something like this - He tried to get in on a tourist visa, but he had lighting stands in his suitcase & pro camera, and so he was pegged as a professional trying to work illegally. Customs checked his website - looked pro. Called one of his models too. So they denied him entry.
What I'd like to know is if this was a re-enactment or do they really have a live documentary crew interviewing arriving passengers?
VisualE wrote: Who was the US photographer that was turned back at Australian airport, had their tourist visa revoked? Featured last night on Aussie Border Patrol show. A new MM celebrity !
The story goes something like this - He tried to get in on a tourist visa, but he had lighting stands in his suitcase & pro camera, and so he was pegged as a professional trying to work illegally. Customs checked his website - looked pro. Called one of his models too. So they denied him entry.
What I'd like to know is if this was a re-enactment or do they really have a live documentary crew interviewing arriving passengers?
Aussies!
I always bring my regular gear on vacation, maybe not lightstands and backdrops, but the rest of my gear always go with me. Who can say if he works or not? So an actor should not be granted access on a tourist visa because he bring his acting skills? I always wanted to go to Australia, but having seen some of the shows, and now to top it off; this. I just made my mind up... Not going....
Sorry for not having an answer to your question, but I had to get the frustration out of my system...
That would be like denying someone entry to Australia because they had a tool belt and a nail gun or an ore and a fisher's net in their luggage. Let's face it, Aussies are not all that smart with the driving on the wrong side of the road and the water in their toilets swirling the wrong way.
studio36uk
Posts: 20,227
Tavai, Sigave, Wallis and Futuna
VisualE wrote: What I'd like to know is if this was a re-enactment or do they really have a live documentary crew interviewing arriving passengers?
Some countries take the view that they need a reason NOT to let someone in; others take the view that the arriving PX needs a reason [e.g.proper visa, ect] to be allowed in.
AFAIK the both OZ [as "Nothing to Declare"] and NZ [as "Passport Patrol"] shows [they are two such shows shown on Brit TV currently in addition to one more about the Brit Border Agency] about passport control / immigration / customs are all done with a live documentary crew. Many of the clips they use, however, can be 3 or 4 years old.
Yep, got denied access to Canada this year. Said I was taking jobs of Canadian photographers. End results: Canadian models did NOT get a job and Canadian photogs were net not impacted.
I was the on staff photographer for Melbourne Airport for 4 years and had more than one run in with the Federal Coppers questioning me about taking photos. I was also a Tv cameraman for channel 7 as well on shows like Border Patrol. Trust me their is more to the story than rejection because of light stands and a pro camera.
The Aussies while nice people have a different type of government and laws.
Here if its not forbidden YOU CAN do it.
There if its not expressly permitted YOU CANT do it.
Case in point a cousin there wanted to put up an antaenna for his short wave radio He lives in the boonies so this is not a bother the neighbors thing.
He had to get permission.
Justin Matthews wrote: I was the on staff photographer for Melbourne Airport for 4 years and had more than one run in with the Federal Coppers questioning me about taking photos. I was also a Tv cameraman for channel 7 as well on shows like Border Patrol. Trust me their is more to the story than rejection because of light stands and a pro camera.
What about, my run in with the Feds. Nothing exciting, just that even though I'd been doing it for years and I had all my security passes up to date and my ASIO checks current. I still got hasstled for not having enough info for them. Even doing shoots under direct instruction from the CEO of the Airport wasn't even enough and I had to get the Airports chief of security to vouch for me.
But in the end it was just them doing their job and me doing mine.
Ivanafox
Posts: 977
Healesville, Victoria, Australia
I didn't see the episode but i agree absolutely there was more to that rejection than the torist having an expensive camera and a tripod. I live in a tourist area and there are hundreds of them with professional camera and tripods.
Mike Hemming wrote: The Aussies while nice people have a different type of government and laws.
Here if its not forbidden YOU CAN do it.
There if its not expressly permitted YOU CANT do it.
Case in point a cousin there wanted to put up an antaenna for his short wave radio He lives in the boonies so this is not a bother the neighbors thing.
He had to get permission.
Here you would just put one up.
Your right Mike we are nice :-) but our government isn't. They want to know and have a say in everything, and most things will cost you just to get permission.
I would still be surprised that he got stopped for having a lighting stand. It would be more likely that there was far more to the story and that the TV show had the wrong info or only half the facts. You know how TV works, never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.
Admittedly I could be wrong, but I would be surprised.
Dimitrio
Posts: 998
Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
Digital Photo PLUS wrote: That would be like denying someone entry to Australia because they had a tool belt and a nail gun or an ore and a fisher's net in their luggage. Let's face it, Aussies are not all that smart with the driving on the wrong side of the road and the water in their toilets swirling the wrong way.
Your comment concerns me, because every country has different rules and regulations regarding different things.
What side of the road is considered correct, because your statements seems ignorant toward others customs and somewhat arrogant to think that only your country actually have it right as to what side of the road to drive on.
Darren Brade
Posts: 1,563
London, England, United Kingdom
Digital Photo PLUS wrote: That would be like denying someone entry to Australia because they had a tool belt and a nail gun or an ore and a fisher's net in their luggage. Let's face it, Aussies are not all that smart with the driving on the wrong side of the road and the water in their toilets swirling the wrong way.
Was that supposed to be funny or you just being a typical Yank?
Darren Brade
Posts: 1,563
London, England, United Kingdom
VisualE wrote: Who was the US photographer that was turned back at Australian airport, had their tourist visa revoked? Featured last night on Aussie Border Patrol show. A new MM celebrity !
The story goes something like this - He tried to get in on a tourist visa, but he had lighting stands in his suitcase & pro camera, and so he was pegged as a professional trying to work illegally. Customs checked his website - looked pro. Called one of his models too. So they denied him entry.
What I'd like to know is if this was a re-enactment or do they really have a live documentary crew interviewing arriving passengers?
I haven't seen this episode but it doesn't sound plausible. Maybe it was edited in such a way to make viewers believe it. Normally there is more proof that he is working, e.g. he has a list of Australian models on him? Or no fixed return date?
I used to go into Canada to work but always had the correct permits and forms.
One time, I hit a particularly "by the book" sort of customs agent that questioned why the company I was contracted to didn't hire a Canadian photographer. I told him the truth: "they did hire a Canadian photographer. He screwed up the shoot and I'm here to get it right." Pretty much shut him up.
Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to protect the jobs of one's own countrymen. We've outsourced far too much already for the reason of cheaper costs. On the other hand, I've had problems just getting into State Parks in CA. on vacation simply because of the gear I carry.
Laura UnBound
Posts: 24,702
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Justin Matthews wrote:
What about, my run in with the Feds. Nothing exciting, just that even though I'd been doing it for years and I had all my security passes up to date and my ASIO checks current. I still got hasstled for not having enough info for them. Even doing shoots under direct instruction from the CEO of the Airport wasn't even enough and I had to get the Airports chief of security to vouch for me.
But in the end it was just them doing their job and me doing mine.
I think he meant the "theres more to this guys story than they're telling" part that we're supposed to trust you on, not about your story.
The story sounds quite plausible to me. A tourist waiver is just that. You can enter the country without a visa, if you are there to be a tourist. For any other reason, you need a visa.
Anarchy 999
Posts: 367
Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Darren Brade wrote: I haven't seen this episode but it doesn't sound plausible. Maybe it was edited in such a way to make viewers believe it. Normally there is more proof that he is working, e.g. he has a list of Australian models on him? Or no fixed return date?
They didn't leave any doubt that he was there to shoot models.. The only question was what he was earning, if anything.
Living in a border city and crossing over frequently. I have a tool case in my truck for networking/diagnostics etc.. I have been stopped, searched, and told to return to Canada and leave my tools at home.
Of course this is exactly what I do now... But it's the way things are period.
These U.S. based guys are pretty fucking miserable and need to let up a tad.
Herman Surkis
Posts: 6,230
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
JMHSPhoto wrote: This takes place quite often at crossings.
Living in a border city and crossing over frequently. I have a tool case in my truck for networking/diagnostics etc.. I have been stopped, searched, and told to return to Canada and leave my tools at home.
Of course this is exactly what I do now... But it's the way things are period.
These U.S. based guys are pretty fucking miserable and need to let up a tad.
+ one hell of a lot.
And sometimes, they make a mistake and hire a human being for the border. I ran into one on my last crossing into the US. Pleasant, easy going, but efficient. Surprised the hell out of me.
ei Total Productions wrote: The story sounds quite plausible to me. A tourist waiver is just that. You can enter the country without a visa, if you are there to be a tourist. For any other reason, you need a visa.
Agreed. If it's a business treat it like a business and go by the book.
I recall having a big shot (Nobel Prize) scientist explain himself for a long time at the Canadian border that he is not going to get paid for an invited speech at a large international conference. And it was in the old more laid back times, when you still crossed at the rural crossing on "where do you live".
There was a thread here a while ago on models turned away at British border for having a printed portfolio on them.
Matt Knowles
Posts: 3,519
Ferndale, California, US
Mike Hemming wrote: Case in point a cousin there wanted to put up an antaenna for his short wave radio He lives in the boonies so this is not a bother the neighbors thing.
He had to get permission.
Here you would just put one up.
Depending on the county, they may or may not require a building permit for the antenna itself.
The FCC is going to require a license before you use the antenna to transmit.
In the late 90's I was in a band that had a show in Canada. Our issue at the border was that the drummer had a criminal record from having a DUI. They allowed us in after we paid a fee.
We all have different experiences, I guess. I entered Australia last year from the US on vacation with a tourist visa and experienced no hassles. I had light stands in my luggage, too, plus a pro-level DSLR and several flashes. No one checked our luggage or asked us any questions.
That is just extraordinarily ignorant. As it happens, both countries have a common legal heritage i.e. the British legal system.
Sorry from all Ive heard it is not ignorant, you may believe different to defend your home ground.
Aussies and New Zealand do it differnet, one of your country man just agreed with me.
I like you guys and I would love to visit but live there sorry no chance.
Faulty Focus
Posts: 669
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
JMHSPhoto wrote: This takes place quite often at crossings.
Living in a border city and crossing over frequently. I have a tool case in my truck for networking/diagnostics etc.. I have been stopped, searched, and told to return to Canada and leave my tools at home.
Of course this is exactly what I do now... But it's the way things are period.
These U.S. based guys are pretty fucking miserable and need to let up a tad.
I lived within a mile of the USA Canada border for 17 years and we went back and forth frequently. The rule of thumb was to clear your vehicle before crossing. I forgot once and had a bunch of christmas baskets I was giving out as thanks you's. Caused me grief and got a stern lecture from the border guard not to do that again, but he did let me cross.
Another time I was crossing to work on a sail boat that I raced on, for no pay, just as part of the crew helping out. I made it across, but another crew member was turned back because it was taking jobs away from the US.
Mike Hemming wrote: The Aussies while nice people have a different type of government and laws.
Here if its not forbidden YOU CAN do it.
There if its not expressly permitted YOU CANT do it.
Case in point a cousin there wanted to put up an antaenna for his short wave radio He lives in the boonies so this is not a bother the neighbors thing.
He had to get permission.
Here you would just put one up.
...just to be clear: he was not denied entry for having too much camera gear. The guy had a lot of camera gear so that triggered alarm bells with the custom staff. They asked him if he was coming to Australia to work, and he said no, he was on vacation and that he was going to do some free photo shoots as well. His entry conditions quite clearly only gave him permission to travel in Australia for a holiday. The United States shares similar entry requirements: I would not be able to work if I were to travel to the United States without either a Green Card or a very hard to get Work Visa.
He had traveled to Australia before: so they asked him for the phone number of one of the models he had worked with previously. They called the model: and the model said that she had worked with the photographer before, and that she had paid him $500.00.
They went back to the photographer with that new information and he changed his story: claiming that this wasn't his normal rate, that the fee was just to cover expenses, that he wasn't working and that he wasn't making a profit. The customs officials countered with "Profit isn't required to be classified as working."
He was given five minutes to think over his story and to come up with a reason why he should be allowed to enter Australia. His response was that he was promoting Australia and promoting Australian models and that he should be allowed to enter.
At this point his Visa was revoked.
So the things that got him kicked out of the country:
1) Applying for and being granted a holiday visa when he intended to work
2) Lying to customs officials about being paid
Both of those two things would be enough to revoke the entry Visa for anyone at any country including the United States.
| 
| 
| edu