Bali’s OG Surf Resort Introduces Professional Photography Services For Tourists

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Bali’s Kuta Beach has introduced a new system for professional photographers operating in the area. From now on, sports or commercial photographers working in the tourism hotspot will have to be formally registered. 

The Badung Regency Government, who oversee the management of Kuta Beach as a tourist attraction, has introduced new laws that require photographers to be formally registered and adhere to strict best practice protocols in order to maintain safety and comfort for beach visitors.

First and foremost, Kuta Beach is a public beach; it is also an area used by dozens of surf schools and professional surfers and is world famous for its consistent waves.

It is common for professional surfers and surf schools to hire professional photographers to capture all the wave-riding action from the shorelines. Kuta Beach at sunset is also an incredibly popular spot with tourists and local residents alike for golden hour photoshoots.

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The new terms and conditions are in accordance with the Kuta Traditional Village Regulation No. 003 of 2023 to maintain the order of Kuta Beach. There are seven new rules that photographers must work in alignment with. It is helpful for tourists to also be aware of the rules and where to make a report or complaint if someone is not honoring the conditions in place designed to make a fair environment for all. 

The first rule is that photographers who work at Kuta Beach must report to the Kuta Beach DTW Management Agency (BPDTW). Secondly, photographers who do shoots for regular commercial or event purposes will be subject to additional contributions. 

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Thirdly, photographers who are not registered and are found not to have an ID Card will be subject to administrative sanctions from the Kuta Beach DTW Management Agency. The fourth rule is that it is mandatory to maintain the cleanliness of the Kuta Beach environment. 

The fifth new rule states that photographers and videographers must not interfere with the comfort and safety of visitors and the wider public. The sixth rule is an obvious one, but one that is important to note, that if it is proven that a photographer or videographer is committing a criminal act against visitors, they will be dealt with strictly according to the applicable law.

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Finally, if there is a photographer who is not registered with the Kuta Beach BPDTW and does not honour the first six rules,  then a penalty/reprimand, or confiscation of goods by the local task force team will be imposed.

The Head of Kuta Traditional Village, Komang Alit Ardana, told reports that while these rules were brought into effect formally a few months ago, more efforts are underway to socialise these rules with photographers. He described the increasing number of photographers and videographers working on Kuta Beach as ‘rampant’.

He noted that photographers and videographers are not different from other beach vendors who work on Kuta Beach, whether drink sellers, sarong sellers, or beach stall holders, and that photographers and videographers must follow the same rules. 

Speaking separately, the Manager of Kuta Beach, Arya Arimbawa, confirmed that the sports photographer’s activities in Kuta Beach have been a concern for the last year.

He shared that initially, there were ten formally registered photographers registered on the dedicated app; however, after a direct conversation with those signed up to the app, only six decided to continue to cooperate with BPDTW regarding the new rules. 

Tourists visiting Kuta Beach who are feeling disturbed by any beach vendors, photographers, or videographers should report their concerns to the local pecalang immediately.

Local security officers, known as pecalang, are positioned in every village and community, and much of their work in busy tourist areas is to help ensure public order, ensure public safety, and help mitigate any conflicts between local residents, workers, and tourists should such situations arise.

Formal complaints can be made to the Kuta Beach DTW Management Agency, and in the event of crime, the police can be contacted on 110, and the Tourist Police Kuta specifically can be contacted on +62 (0)361 7845988.