The photography session guidelines outlined below are intended for all guests, but a permit is necessary for those who wish to use the Gardens setting as the background for portraits or other posed photography. Denver Botanic Gardens considers a posed session to include wedding, engagement, family, graduation, prom photos, as well as senior photos or those for a modeling portfolio. It also includes any photographs for commercial use, such as fashion, advertisement and promotion, even if the photographer is not a professional. We appreciate your cooperation.

General Photography Guidelines

• Avoid damage to collections and disruption of other activities. Photographers and their equipment are restricted from Gardens collections and planting areas, and may not block or interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
• The Gardens assumes no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to equipment.
• Any use of electrical equipment, including additional lighting, must be approved in advance of shoot.

Guest Photography

• Visitors and members are permitted to take photographs and shoot videos for private, non-commercial use, except in specific exhibits or areas where photography may not be permitted.

Portrait/Commercial Photo Policy

We ask that all photographers honor these policies when using Denver Botanic Gardens as a backdrop for any photography or filming.

• Call ahead to schedule. All portrait/commercial photography at Denver Botanic Gardens must be scheduled and requires advance reservations by filling out this reservation form or by emailing yvonne.garcia@botanicgardens.org.
• Reservations must be made for every portrait/commercial photography session. Due to previously scheduled events, arriving without a reservation may result in the refusal of a photo permit.
• Check In/Sign In. All session participants must be present and enter as a group; we cannot accommodate later or individual arrivals. To avoid congestion in our lobby, please meet your party or photographer outside the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center. Please do not crowd the counter of the Visitor Services front desk. Photographers must sign in and register the photo session in the Gardens’ ledger.
• Please note: In order to work onsite, all portrait/commercial photographers must supply Denver Botanic Gardens with a certificate of limited liability (with Denver Botanic Gardens listed as the certificate holder).

Portrait/Commercial Photography Pricing Levels

• There will be a photography permit fee regardless of the size of your group or the purpose of the photography. This fee includes admission for the number of guests specified below. With the exception of large event/multi-session photography, your photographer should collect and pay all permit fees, which must be remitted prior to entry to the Gardens for a scheduled session (unless you have rented all or a portion of the facility for an event pursuant to separate rental policies).
• Gardens membership does entitle the party to a 10 percent discount (with a valid Gardens membership card and photo ID).

Please note that during wedding season (May-October) time slots for photography may be severely limited.

*Good for up to 2 hours (if fewer than 2 hours, pro-rating does not apply)

• Groups of 15 or more, including the photographer and subjects, are considered a facility rental and a $400 photo session fee is charged. Groups of 15 or more will need to contact Yvonne Garcia (yvonne.garcia@botanicgardens.org) to schedule a reservation.
• Groups of 40 or more have the option of reserving a space for their photo sessions. Please contact Yvonne Garcia for further details and pricing.

Student Photography

Individual student (high school, college or university) photographers/ videographers are subject to the same guidelines that apply to portrait/commercial projects.

*Good for up to 2 hours (if fewer than 2 hours, pro-rating does not apply)

Please include a detailed synopsis of the intended nature of the shoot, all parties and equipment involved, length of stay, and how/when the photos or video will be distributed or shown. Students wishing to cover Denver Botanic Gardens news for a student-run media outlet or for a media or journalism class should refer to the Media section.

Media

Media organizations must contact the public relations department before photographing or filming of any kind at the Gardens, including, but not limited to, magazine shoots, catalog shoots and model shoots. No fees will be charged to photographers with appropriate news credentials for promotion of the Gardens. Contact Will Jones, public relations manager, at 720-865-3552 or jonesw@botanicgardens.org.

Related Issues

• Absolutely no wedding ceremonies may be performed at the Gardens without advance reservations. Parties not in compliance will be asked to leave immediately.
• There are no refunds for the cancellation of a photography session at Denver Botanic Gardens. In the event of weather variations, you may reschedule your session within the same calendar year.
• Any Gardens staff member may approach you to ask you to display your permit. You may also be asked for your name to check against the sign-in list.
• Denver Botanic Gardens grounds staff may approach you to discuss alternatives for your shoot if Gardens maintenance is in progress.
• We encourage you to visit the Gardens in advance at your leisure to scout locations for your photography session.
• Denver Botanic Gardens hosts a number of free days throughout the year. These activity-filled days draw exceptionally large crowds. We welcome any and all guest photography but do not permit any commercial photo shoots or filming during free days.

Do:

• Come dressed and prepared for your photo session. There are no changing areas available.
• Pay for your time prior to using the Gardens for your photo or video shoot.
• Display your permit prominently on your person or equipment.
• Stay on walkways.
• Set up your shoot in a manner that does not disrupt events and maintenance.

Don’t:

• Disturb or remove plants, plant labels or containers.
• Smoke.
• Bring any alcoholic beverages.
• Block access to the entrance, pathways or garden areas for use by others.
• Hang backpacks or props on trees or plants.
• Throw rice, confetti or similar. 

The Gardens maintains the right to adjust these policies to serve the best interests of the Gardens and the general public.

Please note: The photography policy was created to protect the grounds and the artwork, both inside and outdoors. Additionally, the policy allows Denver Botanic Gardens to control the number of photography shoots on the grounds at one time to lessen the disruptions of scheduled events. Fees directly support the Gardens’ mission of connecting people with plants.

(Updated December 2012)