Photography

Please Note: Due to Covid-19 and social distancing requirements, we are unable to accept daytime photo shoot appointments at this time. We are offering special after-hours photo shoots that may be scheduled with our Private Events Manager. Begin by completing a photography session request.

Interested in having your photo shoot in the Garden?

Submit a Photography Session Request

Booking multiple shoots? Waive hourly photo fees with an annual Photographer’s Membership!

Purchase Photographer’s Membership

General Photography

General Photography refers to visitors taking amateur photos. They can be individual pictures or quick very small group photographs. These types of photos are permitted during the Garden’s operating hours. All members of the party, including the photographer, are required to pay standard Garden admission fees and must be off the premises by closing time. Amateur photographers and artists may not use their Garden photos for any commercial use unless approved by the RBG executive director and we ask that you credit RBG.

Visitors and guests are welcome to take photos of the Garden for personal use and future plant identification. You are welcome to come whenever the Garden is open to the public. If you call first, Office staff can help you plan your visit to avoid group tours, special events, children’s tours, major garden renovation work, loud machinery, etc. to ensure your visit will be satisfactory. Photo visits are subject to our regular admission fees. ($10 general/ $8 Senior & Student)

Professional Photography

Professional Photography refers to a photo session with a professional photographer for a special occasion such as a wedding, engagement, maternity, or formal family photo. Requests for formal photo shoots must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance. No walk-up requests will be granted and requests made less than 2 weeks in advance are subject to a $35 rush fee. Full details of the request must be provided using our Photography Request Form. All request form submissions will be reviewed by our Event Coordinator. Once approved, you will be issued a photo pass via email. Upon arrival, you must check in at the admissions kiosk and present the photo pass using your mobile phone or a printed copy.

Every person entering the Garden will pay the appropriate admission fee ($10 general/ $8 Senior & Student), plus a $50 per hour Garden photography fee. Garden photography fee must be paid in advance, if shoot runs over, you are responsible to pay the additional charge at departure.

Professional photographers wishing to use the Ruth Bancroft Garden as a location for family, special occasion, wedding or other portrait sessions can also purchase an annual $125 Photographer’s Membership. This membership is good for one year from purchase date and will waive the $50 per hour photography fee. Regular admission rates still apply for each client the day of your shoot. The membership comes with two free guest passes which you can use for clients or save for friends and family.

To book the Garden for an after-hours portrait session, the fee is $200 for 2 hours for those with a Photographer’s Membership and $250 for 2 hours for those without a Photographer’s Membership. Excludes Mondays. Click here to see our regular hours.

Commercial Photography

Commercial use refers to any photography for public distribution and/or sale. It includes but is not limited to: catalog shoots, advertising agencies, social media groups, public relations firms, marketing groups, and other professional groups shooting photography for use in display advertising, television and electronic commercials, brochures, product literature, etc. RBG reserves the right to approve on a case-by-case basis and under such terms and conditions as determined at the sole discretion of the RBG Executive Director. Full details of the request must be submitted using our Photography Request Form. All request forms will be reviewed by our Event Coordinator. Once approved, you will be issued a photo pass via email. Upon arrival, you must check in at the admissions kiosk and present the photo pass using your mobile phone or a printed copy. Refer to fees outlined below:

Fashion/ Product/ Photo Shoots – can only be booked after hours or when the Garden is closed and includes supervision by RBG staff. Flat fee of $1,000 for four hours, $200 for every hour after that.

Are tripods allowed in the Garden? Yes, tripods are allowed in the Garden as long as they are set up on the paths and not in the beds.