enjoy your visit — visiting the garden

Photography/Videography

PHOTO: photographer Photographs and videos are a wonderful way to remember your visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden. We encourage visitors to take casual photographs and videos for their own personal use.

The photography/videography guidelines outlined here are intended for all guests, but a permit is only necessary for those who wish to use the Garden's setting as the background for formal, posed photography/videography. This would include wedding, family, engagement, prom, graduation photography/videography, or similar.

Those celebrating wedding ceremonies, receptions, or other special occasions scheduled at the Garden are welcome to take photographs or videos during their rental time at no additional fee. As always, the general guidelines apply. Please visit Corporate and Private Events at www.chicagobotanic.org/events for information on hosting special events at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHer OF THE YEAR COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION

Are you interested in garden photography? Try your hand at this international competition. Top photographs will be exhibited at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Click here for more information.

Media/Commercial Photography

Media photography, commercial photography, video and film shoots must be arranged at least one week in advance of the shoot. Contact Public Relations for more information on policies and fees.

General Photography Guidelines

We are delighted that you are considering the Chicago Botanic Garden as the location for your photos and videos. To ensure a positive experience for you, while maintaining a pleasant experience for our many visitors, please be aware of the following rules and guidelines:

The Garden does not accept reservations for wedding and portrait photo sessions.

When you arrive:

Fee: A photography/videography permit fee of $125 will be charged. This permit can be paid for with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Cash and checks made out to the Chicago Botanic Garden will also be accepted. Permits are available at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center.

The Garden closes each day at sunset. The Garden reserves the right to limit groups arriving within one hour of this closing time.

Parking: Regular parking fees will apply for each vehicle within the party. Vehicles may load and unload passengers at the drop-off area within Parking Lot 1. NO VEHICLES MAY PULL IN FRONT OF THE VISITOR CENTER.

To avoid congestion in the Visitor Center, please meet and collect your party either outside in front of the Visitor Center (weather permitting) or inside the Garden View Room (across from the Information Desk) if it is unoccupied. Please do not congregate in front of the Information Desk.

Photo Restrictions:

Please do not enter flowerbeds, plant displays, or mulched areas. Remain on the pathways and grassy turf at all times.
No alcoholic beverages may be brought into the Garden.
Do not disturb or remove plants, plant labels, or containers.
Do not block the access to the entrance, pathways, or garden areas for use by others.

For your convenience, public restrooms may be used for clothing changes.

Some Friendly Reminders

Our visitors at the Garden also want a pleasant experience. Please be courteous and do not block pathways or other access areas in any way. Remember that the Garden is a public place where visitors are welcome in all public areas, and that regular business continues during normal operating hours. Some festivals and special events draw exceptionally large crowds. A listing of events is posted online at www.chicagobotanic.org/calendar.

We encourage you to visit the Garden in advance at your leisure to scout locations for your photography/videography session. Parking fees apply. Parking fees are waived for Garden members.

Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/events for information on having a wedding reception or other private event at the Garden.

Please remember that any party who has booked a private event in a particular location of the Garden has exclusive right to that reserved area.

The Garden reserves the right to refuse admittance for photography/videography and/or to change its photo policy without advance notice.

During your visit you may be filmed, videotaped, and/or photographed by a Garden employee or contract photographer. Your attendance serves as permission for the use of your image by the Garden and its constituents.

Thank you for choosing the Garden for your wedding, family, and individual portraits!