COSTA MESA : Initial OK Given Law on Photos in Park

The City Council this week gave initial approval to an ordinance designed to crack down on companies that use local parks to photograph swimsuit-clad models.

The action comes several months after residents complained about “photo days” last year in TeWinkle Park, where models--many clad in G-string bathing suits--posed as dozens of photographers armed with still cameras and video recorders took their pictures.

Although the ordinance places several restrictions on photo days, it stops short of banning them altogether. City Atty. Thomas Kathe said that complete prohibition would not stand up in court because photo days fall under the right to free speech.

“If I could, we would prohibit this,” Kathe told the council. “In no way are we trying to condone the use of photo days.”

Instead, the ordinance gives the city tighter controls on the photo sessions. In the future, sponsors may be required to pay for security to monitor the event and officials also reserve the right to dictate where and when photo days can take place. If violations of the codes occur, the city can deny subsequent requests to use the parks.

A handful of people who brought the issue to the city’s attention appeared before the council this week. Yolanda Davila, who headed the neighborhood drive to get rid of photo days, presented pictures she took during an event last November along with a petition she circulated.

“Photo days with young women modeling in questionable attire and suggestive poses are distasteful, offensive and detrimental to the sound development of the children of this community,” said the petition, signed by 600 residents.

Davila said that it is not just a question of morals, but also of protecting children.

“I am concerned about the safety of this,” Davila said. “Are we waiting for someone to come and do some damage to our children?”

Since 1988, the city has issued quarterly permits to San Diego-based Glamour Photographers International, which arranged the photo sessions with amateur photographers and models. The firm has held similar photo sessions at parks in Orange and Fullerton and at Cypress College.

GPI officials said the photos benefit both the models, who are attempting to build up a portfolio, and amateur photographers who want to learn the art. They also emphasized that men and families pose for the photos.

After the shoot in November, which attracted about 120 photographers and about 50 models, the city Parks, Recreation Facilities and Parkways Commission voted to withhold the permits while city staff devised the tighter restrictions given approval this week. Community Services Director Keith Van Holt said the city was inundated with protests after the November event.

The council unanimously gave initial approval to the restrictions and is expected to give final approval at their next meeting.