Photography locations

Hi all,

I was talking to a friend of mine who is a photographer here in Houston setting up her business. She mentioned that the city of Houston made all their parks proprietary and photographers need to pay a (hefty) fee in order to use them in the background of their commercial work.

Photographers of Houston, do you pay this fee for every photo shoot?

Additionally, what other locations do you do engagement photos, family photos, pregnancy photos etc. if not the parks?

Any advice helps for an aspiring photography small business owner.

Thanks!