New York State Parks have strict rules when it comes to photography and filming and expressly ban commercial photography without a permit. Film and commercial photo shoots, which includes wedding photography and student shoots, require a permit from the NYS Parks Department. The contact person is Lillian Lee (Lillian.Lee@parks.ny.gov, 212 866-3100). The instructions on how to apply and application form are available online (a $30 nonrefundable permit application fee must be submitted). 
The fees are not officially stated online, but have been quoted to be $135. The rules are strictly enforced and park rangers manning Gantry Plaza State Park often ask anyone using tripods or lightning equipment to produce the official permit. 

In Hunter’s Point South Park, located south of Gantry Park, clearance for film and photography is required from the administrative authority of the park. However, the rules pertaining to photography seem to be less strict, and according to the website of the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting “permits are not be required for casual photographers, tourists, credentialed members of the media or other members of the public who do not use vehicles or equipment or assert exclusive use of City property. Standing on a street, walkway of a bridge, sidewalk or other pedestrian passageway while using a hand-held device and not otherwise asserting exclusive use of City property is not an activity that requires a permit.” The Queens Borough Office can be reached at (718) 393-7272 to provide more information. 

In general, both parks are a photographer’s dream, full of vantage points for taking amazing photos of the New York skyline in the background.