Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
Photographers in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and a self-governing city, the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), of about 200 square kilometres on the western shore of the Río de la Plata. Sessions here are planned by neighbourhood rather than by landmark: Palermo for parks and roses, Recoleta for French-style façades, San Telmo for cobblestones and antique shops, La Boca for painted tin houses, and Puerto Madero for brick docks and glass towers. Most of them are within 30 minutes of each other by car outside rush hour.
Public space has one permit office. BASet, part of the city's BA Audiovisual programme, issues a general habilitación that covers filming and photography camera-in-hand with a small crew and no equipment occupying the street, and a separate set permit for anything that does occupy it — stands, reflectors on stands, a table, a lighting kit. A photography set is requested at least 4 business days ahead, the applicant must hold civil-liability insurance that names the city, and the permit papers have to be on hand during the shoot in case of an inspection. We plan most couple and portrait sessions to stay camera-in-hand for exactly this reason.
Private ground is a separate matter. Cafés, hotels, milongas, museums and the Jardín Japonés each set their own rule for an outside photographer, and that is asked of the venue in writing before the date. Drones are a third regime: under ANAC's RAAC Part 101, a drone of 250 g to 25 kg flies in the Open category without prior authorization, but never inside an aerodrome control zone, over a person who has not consented, or over the Casa Rosada, embassies and public buildings. Aeroparque Jorge Newbery sits on the city's own riverfront, so aerial work over the city is quoted only after the flight area has been checked against the airspace map.
Most clients are travellers from the United States, Canada and Europe on a few nights in the city — couples, proposals, tango sessions and weddings — and Argentine couples and brands who book on the Spanish side.
