photo policy

Photo Policy
For Commercial and Professional Photographers, Film Crews, Members of the Media, and General Visitors to the Gardens

Effective May 19, 2008

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 contact 303-973-3705.

General Visitors Visitors to the Gardens are welcome to photograph the grounds, both outside as well as in the Tropical Conservatory. Senior photos, engagement photos, holiday card pictures, class projects, and other personal photography are permitted under general admission rates without prior arrangement, provided no commercial photography is involved.

Please note that a photo fee and advance booking is required in the following circumstances:

• Photography involving props, changes of clothing, or more equipment than a tripod and standard flash.
• Photos that will be posted on the Web, used in print art for sale, used to advertise goods or services, or otherwise published.
• Photo sessions involving a group larger than five people or including a paid photographer.
• Wedding, model, professional and commercial photography.

Denver Botanic Gardens reserves the right to turn away photographers who meet any of the above criteria if they have not booked in advance.

Wedding, Model, Professional and Commercial Photography All photography for weddings, models, professional or commercial use must be approved and scheduled through the Facility Rental Department of Denver Botanic Gardens. Photo sessions in this category will be charged a $350 photo fee. Photo shoots are limited to time and date availability and must be prearranged at least 5 business days in advance of your intended date. The Gardens is not able to accommodate drop-in photo sessions. The Gardens is able to accommodate photo shoots during normal hours of operation, Mondays-Thursdays between May 1 and Sept. 30, and seven days a week from Oct. 1 to April 30. Click here for hours of operation.

Engagement, Family Portrait, and Portfolio Photographs Taken by a Professional Photographer All photography for personal use but taken by a professional photographer must be approved and scheduled through the Facility Rental Department of Denver Botanic Gardens. Photo sessions in this category will be charged a $75 photo fee. Photo shoots are limited to time and date availability and must be prearranged at least 5 business days in advance of your intended date. the Gardens is not able to accommodate drop-in photo sessions. The Gardens is able to accommodate photo shoots during normal hours of operation, Mondays-Thursdays between May 1 and Sept. 30, and seven days a week from Oct. 1 to April 30. Click here for hours of operation.

To check availability and schedule a photo shoot, please contact Facility Rental at 720-865-3590 or facilityrental@botanicgardens.org. The photo fee covers up to five (5) people for entrance to the Gardens for a 1-4 hour block of time. Any additional guests would be charged the general admission rate per guest (which may change per season). All photo shoots must be paid for in advance and in the form of a credit or debit card. To review our policies and procedures and to download a photo application, please click here.

Members of the Media All media sessions must be approved through our Marketing 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.