photo policy

York Street
For Commercial and Professional Photographers, Film Crews, Artists, Members of the Media, and General Visitors to the Gardens

Effective September 1, 2011

Denver Botanic Gardens welcomes visitors, commercial photographers, and members of the media to take photographs on our grounds, according to the policies and procedures outlined below. This policy refers to the use of Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street. For information on our Chatfield location, please call
303-973-3705.

All photographs and other forms of artistic renderings made for personal use, and not for commercial (profit-making) use are permitted without any fee or special permission required. The Gardens requests that these undertakings not obstruct or interfere with the public’s use and enjoyment of the facilities.

All photographic shoots and artistic endeavors for commercial use must be approved and scheduled through the Gardens Rentals Office of Denver Botanic Gardens. For a commercial filming application, call the Gardens Rentals (720) 865-3590, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., or by email at garden.rentals@botanicgardens.org. To review our policies and procedures and to download a photo application, please click here.

The first priority of the Gardens is the maintenance and care of the grounds and collections. Requests from applicants (photographers, production companies and/or artists) wishing to use Gardens photos or images for commercial benefit are handled on an individual basis by the Gardens Rentals Office of Denver Botanic Gardens. Evaluation of each request is made on the basis of benefit to, and proper representation of the Gardens and its mission.

Policies and Procedures:

1. For commercial (profit-making) photography, a fee of $350 per photographer and/or artist per day. Any person(s) accompanying photographer may be subject to regular admission rates of $12.50/adult. Each photographer will be issued a “photo pass” for the day of the photo shoot.
2. For photography, including senior photos and headshots, a fee of $75 per photographer and/or artist per day. Any person(s) accompanying photographer may be subject to regular admission rates of $12.50/adult. Each photographer will be issued a “photo pass” for the day of the photo shoot.
3. Wedding, Quinceañeras, professional and/or commercial photo sessions must be approved, booked and paid for prior to scheduled shoot.
4. Denver Botanic Gardens and its facilities are subject to weather variations and temporary closures. The Gardens will make arrangements to attempt to re-schedule, but there will be no refunds. Shooting dates may be adjusted if weather is a factor. Any changes must be agreed upon by the Gardens Rentals Department prior to commitment.
5. Access to or filming within greenhouses or behind-the-scene areas is not permitted (unless special permission is granted). Filming must be conducted from public access areas during regular Gardens hours (unless written permission is granted) in such a way so as not to interfere with Gardens’ plants, patrons or staff.  At no time will access or viewing by the visiting public be obstructed.
6. No animals or plants will be brought onto the property of Denver Botanic Gardens. The removing of plants (either inside or out) or structures that are part of the Gardens – such as benches, containers, displays, plant interpretation, fences, etc. – is strictly forbidden.
7. No models or photo shoot crew members may to step in flowerbeds, waterways or places other than on designated paths and trails. Climbing or mounting equipment in trees or on buildings is not permitted.
8. Any Gardens administrator may elect to abort any or all filming and related activities at any time if, in their sole judgment, any person, plant exhibit, property or facilities are interfered with or damaged.  The applicant agrees and understands to be bound by any such decision made by Gardens personnel.
9. The applicant further agrees that the topic or end result of the shoot shall not identify Denver Botanic Gardens, its mission, exhibits or plants in a derogatory or defacing manner.
10. All models must be fully and appropriately clothed; swimsuit photo shoots are not permitted.
11. Any use of electrical equipment, including additional lighting, must be approved in advance of shoot. All cords or wires must be placed and guarded in a way that doesn’t alter the pathway, and doesn’t put Gardens’ visitors and staff at risk.
12. Applicant/photographer agrees to hold Denver Botanic Gardens harmless, including its members, staff, volunteers, board and visitors, and indemnify them against any and all liability and loss which the undersigned may incur – by reason of the death or injury of any person, or the damage or destruction to any property caused by the organization or any party entering the property with its authorization.
13. The applicant/photographer will be held accountable for the actions of themselves, crew members and models for any damage to the Gardens’ facilities and property.

To check availability and schedule a photo shoot, please contact the Garden Rentals Department at 720-865-3590 or gardenrentals@botanicgardens.org.

Members of the Media
All media sessions must be approved through our Public Relations Department. This includes any content intended for print, radio, television, or film. All media requests will be handled separately from all other photography. Please contact Will Jones at 720-865-3552 to discuss your needs and make arrangements.