Direct inquiries to: Missouri Botanical Garden Public Relations Department P. O. Box 299 St. Louis, MO 63166-0299 (314) 577-0254; (314) 577-5141 PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY 2010 I. Amateur Photography The Missouri Botanical Garden is a beautiful location for photography. We welcome visitor snapshots, videos, and journalistic, individual, or family photography by amateurs or professionals in any of our public areas, except in specific exhibits where photography is not permitted. Wedding and bridal photo shoots are subject to additional guidelines listed in Section II (also found at www.mobot.org/visit/photopolicy.asp). We highly value our visitors and want to ensure a pleasant experience for them. Please review and abide by our etiquette guidelines posted at www.mobot.org/visit/gardenetiquette.asp. Photographers must also abide by the following rules when taking pictures at the Garden: 1. Tripods or monopod usage is not allowed inside any buildings or conservatories; tripods, monopods, and hand-held reflectors only are allowed for outdoor use, permitting they are not blocking access for other visitors. No props, stands, luggage, or clothing changes. 2. Visitors are welcome in all public areas. Photographers are not allowed to block pathways or visitor access to any area of the Garden. Those violating this restriction will be asked to cease or leave the premises. Please contact the Security officer on duty at (314) 577-0212 or in person at the front desk with any issues regarding blocked access due to photography. 3. Flowerbeds or other plant displays may not be entered or disturbed. Plant labels and other signs may not be changed or removed. No photos may be taken on any islands in the Japanese Garden. 4. Photos and videos are not to be sold or used for any commercial purposes without advance project review and authorization; projects will be approved on a case-bycase basis and will occasion fees. Contact the Public Relations Department at (314) 577-0254 or (314) 577-5141 or see Section IV. 5. If a photographer is asked by another person not to take pictures of that person or others accompanying that person, the request must be honored to protect personal rights of privacy. If a picture has already been taken, it must be deleted upon request. 1
Photographers are liable for any damage to Garden property. The Garden and its employees are not responsible for any loss or damages that may occur. II. Wedding and Bridal Photography Wedding and bridal parties must abide by the following rules and guidelines to shoot any type of photos on location at the Missouri Botanical Garden: REQUIREMENTS: The bride, groom, or his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) must be a Family Level Member or above* to have wedding or bridal photos taken at the Garden; it is an exclusive benefit of membership at the Family Level and higher. Family Level Memberships are $150 and can be purchased at the Garden s Membership Desk, online at www.mobot.org/membership, or by calling (314) 577-5118. o Photographers and photography studios cannot extend their membership benefit to a client, no exceptions. If you are in the wedding party, but are not the bride, groom, or his/her parent or guardian, you cannot extend your membership benefit to others for the photo session. o There is a limit of one wedding or bridal photo session per your 12-month membership term. After this member benefit has been used, Family Level Members and above can hold an additional wedding or bridal photo session at the cost of $100 each; Visa, MasterCard and cash are accepted at the Ticket Counter. o The membership must be current as of the date of the session; expired or lapsed memberships are not valid. o *Please note: As of January 1, 2011, the Garden will no longer accept payment of a $125 fee for permission to shoot wedding photos. You must be a Family Level Member or above. TIMES: You must arrive between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to be admitted to shoot wedding or bridal photos. We cannot accommodate any arrivals after 3 p.m. Photo sessions must be completed by 4 p.m., no exceptions. We do not take reservations. CHECK-IN AND ENTRY: The Family Level Member or above must be present and show their valid Garden membership card, along with a photo I.D., upon arrival. All session participants must be present and enter as a group; we cannot accommodate late or individual arrivals. o To avoid congestion in the lobby, please meet your group and photographer outside the Ridgway Visitor Center prior to entry; do not congregate in front of the inside counter. o Please note: During three signature events held the third weekend of May, Labor Day weekend, and the first weekend of October, the size of a group for wedding and bridal photography is limited to 10 individuals maximum, no exceptions. These activity-filled weekends draw exceptionally large crowds, and for your satisfaction, we encourage your photo session to be planned for an alternate weekend. o Photographers must check in and register the photo session in the Garden s ledger. LOCATIONS: Photography is permitted only in the outdoor, public areas of the 2
Garden. Wedding and bridal photos are not permitted inside any buildings or conservatories (including the Climatron, Linnean House, Shoenberg Temperate House, Ridgway Visitor Center, and Tower Grove House). Photography is not permitted on any of the islands in the Japanese Garden. Do not enter flowerbeds, plant displays, or mulched areas. RESTRICTIONS: The Garden is a tobacco-free campus; smoking and tobacco products are not allowed inside the Garden grounds or in the parking lots. Alcoholic beverages and coolers are not permitted. Please review the Garden s complete etiquette policy in advance at www.mobot.org/visit/gardenetiquette.asp. PARKING: Free on-site parking may be available; additional free parking is located two blocks west at the intersection of Shaw and Vandeventer. Vehicles should load and unload passengers in the upper west parking lot, immediately adjacent to the entrance. Vehicles may load and unload senior citizens and guests who require special assistance in front of the Ridgway Visitor Center, but vehicles may not park here or be left unattended. Absolutely no idling of vehicles is permitted on the Garden s campus. Drivers will be asked to turn off their engines or leave the premises. TRANSPORTATION: We do not offer a shuttle service or carts for rent. Tram service is available on our regular narrated public tram tour route on a first come, first served basis for $4 per person during normal tram operating hours. ADVANCE SCOUTING: We encourage you to visit the Garden in advance at your leisure to scout locations for your wedding or bridal photography session. Regular admission is $8 adults; St. Louis City and County residents, $4 adults, $3 seniors; free children ages 12 under and Garden members. On Wednesdays and Saturdays before noon, admission is free for St. Louis City and County residents (excluding special admission rate events). The Garden hosts a number of events and activities throughout the year that may draw larger attendance; a calendar of public events is posted online at www.mobot.org/events. WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS: Wedding ceremonies, receptions, or other private events at the Garden must be booked in advance through Catering St. Louis, (314) 577-0200 or www.cateringstlouis.com. No wedding ceremonies may be performed at the Garden without advance reservation. Parties not in compliance will be asked to leave immediately. Please remember that any party who has booked a private event in a particular location of the Garden has exclusive right to that area. QUESTIONS: For general information, call (314) 577-5100 (1-800-642-8842 toll free) or visit www.mobot.org. For questions related to the Wedding Photo Policy, call (314) 577-5101. Individuals, groups and photographers not abiding by any portion of this policy will be asked to leave the Garden s campus. 3
The Garden reserves the right to refuse admittance for wedding or bridal photography and/or to change the Photo Policy without advance notice. Contact: Public Relations Department, (314) 577-0254 or (314) 577-5141. III. Media/Press Photography Media organizations must contact the Public Relations Department before filming of any kind at the Garden. No fees will be charged to photographers with appropriate news credentials. Contact: Public Relations Department, (314) 577-0254 or (314) 577-5141. IV. Professional/Commercial Photography The Public Relations Department must be contacted in advance to approve all commercial photography, filming, or videotaping at the Garden. Projects will be approved on a case-bycase basis. The Garden reserves the right to refuse any project. The Garden will not allow any implied or actual endorsement of a product, institution, or ideology. Macro photos: Macro photographs only of flowers and plants may be used by individuals for commercial usage at no charge. We define macro photographs as those depicting a single subject photographed closely enough that no other background or recognizable images are visible. Macro photographs are limited to nature subjects only; buildings, structures, landscapes, display beds, reflecting pools, fountains, benches, statuary, artwork, or any other element that is recognizable as the Missouri Botanical Garden may not be depicted. Further: if macro photographs are used commercially such that the Missouri Botanical Garden is mentioned in any way, including credit line, permission must be requested and use approved in advance. A fee will apply in such cases. Sale of photographs as photographic artwork: The Missouri Botanical Garden permits the usage of a beauty or macro shot for individual use or for sale as photographic artwork only (i.e. framed, mounted, hanging, or printed photographs) at no charge. Limited to scenery only; individuals may not be depicted. Images of non-public areas and exhibits or events where commercial photography is expressly forbidden may not be used. Please note: permission to use photos depicting Dale Chihuly s glass artwork must be approved in advance by Portland Press Inc. Contact: Diane Caillier, DianeC@portlandpress.net or (206) 297-1304 ext. 256; P.O. Box 70856, Seattle, WA 98127. The Missouri Botanical Garden permits the one-time usage of a beauty shot for usage in hand-produced note cards or postcards intended for resale, limited to a quantity of up to 50 cards, for a $50 fee. Shots must be approved in advance on a case-by-case basis. All other photographs for sale for any other purpose (mugs, t-shirts, posters, greeting cards, promotional items, product packaging, stock photography, etc.) must be approved in advance on a case-by-case basis and will occasion fees starting at $500. All other commercial uses: Ad agencies, public relations firms, marketing groups, corporate communications offices, commercial photographers and others shooting photography for use in display advertising, television commercials, feature films, brochures, product literature, annual reports, training videos, websites, non-macro stock 4
photographs for sale, model portfolios, and other industrial, promotional, or advertising projects must abide by the following rules: 1. Commercial photography, film or video projects must follow the same guidelines set forth in Section I, Amateur Photography. The Garden encourages all production to be done during weekday operating hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas). Any projects occurring before or after operating hours will require special permission and will entail additional charges to cover overtime of staff and utility costs. 2. An authorized representative of the organization requesting access to the Garden must request a Commercial Photography Application Permit at least 15 business days prior to the requested shoot date. This permit application must be submitted for approval at least 10 business days prior to the requested shoot date. Approval does not grant exclusive use of the Garden during the day and time requested. 3. Before approval for a shoot can be given, full details on the nature of the project, intended use of photos, film, or videotape, the proposed date(s), times, number of people involved, and any other pertinent information must be submitted in writing with the Application Permit at least 10 business days prior to the project date. 4. A copy of the script/text/storyboard also must be submitted for approval. 5. Once approval has been granted, a Certificate of Insurance indicating liability coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 against damage to persons, grounds, buildings, or plant life, and naming the Garden as additional insured, must be presented before photography/filming is to take place. 6. Fees are due upon approval of the permit application. Additional Garden-incurred expenses are due upon completion of the production. Checks must be made payable to: Missouri Botanical Garden. Still Photography* 4 hr Half Day: $500 plus Garden-incurred expenses 8 hr Full Day: $1,000 plus Garden-incurred expenses Video* 4 hr Half Day: $1,000 plus Garden-incurred expenses 8 hr Full Day: $2,000 plus Garden-incurred expenses Major Motion Picture* Full Day: $10,000 minimum *PLUS Garden-incurred expenses Staff: $50/hour/per person* Overtime: $100/hour/per person (before or after office hours) 7. *All location shoots must have at least one Garden employee assigned to the project with an additional fee of $50 per hour. Security staff, if deemed necessary by the Garden, are an additional $35/hour/person, 5
8. A Special Access Fee of $300 will be required for photography within all greenhouses and buildings including, but not limited to, the Climatron conservatory, Ridgway Visitor Center, Linnean House, Kemper Center for Home Gardening, and Shoenberg Temperate House. 9. A signed photo session permit available from the Public Relations Department and credentials must be available at all times. 10. Recognizable Garden features may not be used in commercial photography. This includes but is not limited to exterior shots of the Climatron conservatory, Ridgway Visitor Center, Linnean House, drum bridge in the Japanese Garden, Tower Grove House, and Garden sculptures. 11. Models must use public restrooms for changes. Appropriate attire is required at all times. Facilities other than public restrooms, when available, may be used for an additional fee of $50/hour. 12. Crews must be able to complete the shoot with their own equipment (e.g., extension cords, lights, generators); Garden electric power may not be used without prior written permission. 13. Vehicles may not be driven on the grounds. Crews must be prepared to hand-carry equipment in and out. For a fee of $100/hour a Garden vehicle and driver may be hired subject to availability. 14. The Garden may, at its discretion, require the following credit line: Photographed (Filmed/Videotaped) on location at the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri. (Add U.S.A. if distributed outside the U.S.) 15. The Garden reserves the right to cancel permission at any time without penalty or refund. 16. If cancellation occurs due to poor weather, rescheduling is contingent upon availability of Garden grounds. 17. Any and all damages or losses of property will be the responsibility of the outside organization requesting access to the Garden. V. Student and Non-profit Photography Student photographers and non-profit organizations are subject to the same guidelines that apply to commercial projects (see Section IV, Professional/Commercial Photography ). All location shoots must have at least one Garden employee assigned to the project with an additional fee of $35 per hour. However, some fees may be reduced or waived. Formal requests for reduced or waived fees must be made on organizational letterhead 10 days prior to any photo session. 6
Contact: Public Relations Department, (314) 577-0254 or (314) 577-5141. These policies apply to all amateur photographers, wedding photographers, media/press photographers, professional/commercial photographers, and student and non-profit photographers using any area of the Garden grounds at any time. Those who do not comply with this policy will be asked to leave the premises. 7