Commercial Filming and Photography
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) provides unparalleled access for filming, photography and related production activities. ATL Reelz is Hartsfield-Jackson’s premiere program dedicated to guiding filmmakers through the process of filming or photographing at the world’s busiest and most efficient airport. Due to the unique nature of the Airport environment, ATL Reelz has established mandatory policies and procedures to accommodate film, photography, video, production and pre-production activities while ensuring the safety of Airport operations. ATL has played a supporting role in numerous productions and publications including:
- “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” (film)
- “American Idol” (television)
- Atlanta Magazine (publication)
- CDC’s “Prep Check!” (online video series)
- “Due Date” (film)
- “Fast Forward” (television)
- “Life as We Know It” (television)
- “The Good Lie” (film)
- “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (television)
- “Revolution” (television)
Getting started is simple! All commercial film, photography and video requests should be directed to ATL Reelz – a subunit of Hartsfield-Jackson’s Policy and Communications division. Contact the team via email at atlreelz@atl.com to schedule a scout visit, discuss a potential project, or obtain a Film and Photography Request Form. To schedule a scout visit, applicants must complete a new customer billing form and be in full compliance with the City of Atlanta’s Insurance and Bonding Requirements.
Hartsfield-Jackson requests a minimum of 14 business days to process each request. However, larger and more complex requests may take up to 45 business days to complete the entire process. Projects may require technical scouts and planning meetings to determine the feasibility of each production request. Hartsfield-Jackson does charge applicable production rates depending on the size and scope of the project.
In addition to Hartsfield-Jackson’s permit, commercial filming and photography productions must also obtain a separate permit from the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment. For information about its separate permitting process and fee structures, please visit here.
Hartsfield-Jackson reserves the right to decline filming and photography requests that are not aligned with the Airport’s vision and mission. All projects must operate in accordance with the facility’s Policies and Procedures and Insurance and Bonding Requirements.
Commercial Film and Photography projects are governed by the Department of Aviation’s Guidelines .
Production Rates
Below are the Airport’s rates for photography and filming, location and procedure schedule required for all promotional or commercial photo and video sessions. Also, same-day event changes and other restrictions may occur due to irregular operations events (e.g., inclement weather). The Department of Aviation will not be held liable for any unforeseen changes in Airport operations that may halt production.
| Application Processing Schedule | 14 business days minimum* *Additional time may be needed depending upon the size, location and scope of the project. |
| Application Processing Fee | $200 (non-refundable; must be submitted with application) |
| Rush Application Processing Fee for requests submitted 48 hours or less before the start of the shoot | $300 (non-refundable; must be submitted with application) |
| Scouting Trips | $200/hour |
| Pre-Shoot Meetings, Tech Scouts | $500/hour |
| Filming or Photography inside of the Airport, Rental car Center and Airfield Operations Area | $1,500/hour |
| Filming or Photography at curbside, parking lots and roadways | $1,400/hour |
| Cancellation Fee | $500 (without the required 24-hour notice) |
| Overnight storage of equipment for upcoming filming | $1,000 flat rate per location / daily |
| Parking in Media Lot (up to four spaces) | $500 flat rate / daily |
| Student Rates with valid Student ID: Application Processing Fee |
$100 (non-refundable; must be submitted with application) |
| Student Rush Application Processing Fee for requests submitted 48 hours or less before the start of the shoot | $200 (non-refundable; must be submitted with application) |
| Student Rates with valid Student ID: Filming or Photography |
$500 flat rate (up to five hours) $1,000 flat rate (six hours or more) |
| Engagement, Wedding and Family portraits, Non-profit Organization Rates must show 501-C status: Application Processing Fee |
$100 (non-refundable; must be submitted with application) |
| Engagement, Wedding and Family portraits, Non-profit Organization Rush Application Processing Fee for requests submitted 48 or less hours before the start of the shoot | $200 (non-refundable; must be submitted with application) |
| Engagement, Wedding and Family portraits, Non-profit Organization Rates must show 501-C Status: Filming or Photography |
$800 flat rate (up to eight hours) $1,500 flat rate (eight hours or more) |
The expense for each Department of Aviation employee whose assistance is required is $30 per hour with a four-hour minimum. Separate charges will apply for certain groups, including (but not limited to) Airport personnel, airline partners, Airport tenants, Atlanta Fire Rescue, parking, the Atlanta Police Department, contractors, electricians, etc.
Additional fees may apply according to the complexity of the project. The rates published are not meant to be an exhaustive list of the total cost to film at the facility.
For administrative reasons, technical scouts and planning meetings are typically conducted Tuesday through Thursday during normal business hours. Final technical scouts must be conducted at least one (1) week prior to filming date.
