Effective October 1, 2024
Our beautiful Gardens are a popular location for special occasion and contracted photo sessions. To help ensure our guests have a pleasant visit, we have introduced a new policy for special occasion and contracted photography.
To schedule your session and purchase a permit for a specific date and time, or for any questions regarding the photography policy, please email photography@longwoodgardens.org
October 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025
Photoshoots will not be permitted in our Gardens.
March 1, 2025
Special occasion and contracted photography sessions may take place in our outdoor Gardens beginning March 1, 2025. To secure a photography session, you must schedule your session and purchase a photography permit for a specific date and time. Scheduling and the purchase of the date- and time-specific permit opened on October 1, 2024, for dates beginning March 1, 2025.
The new policy includes the following:
- Photo sessions must be scheduled a minimum of four (4) weeks in advance. Requests for same day visit permits will not be considered.
- Photo sessions, beginning March 1, 2025, will be available at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. No sessions will be available on Tuesdays when the Gardens are closed. During A Longwood Christmas, only the 10:30 am session will be available.
- There will be a fee associated with the permit. Pricing is as follows:
- 1-10 guests: $250
- 11-20 guests: $500
- 21-30 guests: $750
- Please note $50 will be added to the permit fee during A Longwood Christmas.
- The permit fee includes admission to the Gardens for the photographer only. Other guests entering the Gardens in conjunction with the photo session will need to purchase Gardens Admission or be covered by the guests’ Membership. Admission should be purchased at the time of scheduling.
- Sessions are 90 minutes long and can be extended for an additional 30 minutes for an additional $50. Photography sessions cannot exceed two (2) hours.
- Photography will be permitted in our outdoor gardens only.
- In accordance with our terms and conditions, Longwood Memberships are exclusively for non-commercial use. Photographers with Memberships may not use their Membership to gain admission for clients to the Gardens as part of a photo session.
- All photo sessions will be accompanied by a Longwood staff member.
- Examples of special occasion photography include, but are not limited to: weddings, engagements, maternity, quinceañeras, proms, and formals.
- Use of drones is not permitted.
- Commercial photography promoting products and services is not permitted in the Gardens.
- Proof of insurance will be required for professional photographers.
- Any changes to the booking must be made no later than 14 days prior to the photo session date.
Additional Visiting Guidelines and Policy Changes (effective October 1, 2024)
- Large scale photo or video equipment, carts/wagons, light stands, reflectors are strictly prohibited.
- Props and/or signs are not permitted.
- Wardrobe and/or clothing changes are not permitted, and these items will not be permitted to enter the Gardens. Come dressed in the attire you plan to wear for your photo session.
- Longwood does not have a place to store personal belongings.
- Tripods, monopods, and artist easels may be used in the outdoor gardens for floral, landscape, and architectural photography with the exception of special events. Please note, high-volume attendance or other factors may impact the use of these items and is at the discretion of Longwood staff. Tripods, monopods, and easels are not permitted in any indoor space at any time of day.
- Longwood is not responsible for personal belongings and equipment brought in for photo sessions.
- Photographers and guests for permitted photo sessions are required to abide by our Visitor Guidelines.