Photography Policy
Review the Garden's:
Etiquette Guidelines
Solicitation Policy

Download Photography Policy Brochure

Download Photography Policy Brochure

Visitors to the Missouri Botanical Garden are permitted to take photographs and shoot videos for personal use, except in specific exhibits where photography is not permitted. Personal photographs and videos are not to be used for commercial purposes. Wedding and Portrait photography are subject to certain rules and restrictions.

While on Garden grounds, visitors may be photographed by Garden photographers, and these images may be used for the purpose of promoting the Garden.

Commercial Photography
Photographs and videos are not to be used for any commercial purposes without authorization. Professional photographers must contact the Public Relations office in advance before filming or photography of any kind. Projects will be approved on a case-by-case basis, and the Garden reserves the right to refuse any project. Commercial photography will occasion fees. The Garden will not allow any implied or actual endorsement of a product, institution or ideology. Call (314) 577-0254 or (314) 577-5141 or email.

The Garden reserves the right to refuse admittance for photography and/or to change its Photo Policy without advance notice.

Wedding and Portrait Photography
For those considering the Missouri Botanical Garden as the location for wedding, engagement, bridal, senior class, individual, or family portraits, please review the following rules and guidelines in advance of your photo shoot. We regret that the volume of requests for photography is such that this policy must be enforced.

Time
Individuals and groups must arrive between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to be admitted to shoot wedding or other portrait photography. Photo sessions must be completed by 4 p.m., no exceptions. The Garden does not take reservations.

Check-in and entry
All subjects of the wedding or portrait photography shoot, including the photographer, must be present and enter as a group. To avoid congestion in the lobby, please meet your group or photographer outside the Ridgway Center (main entrance building) prior to entry; do not congregate in front of the inside ticket counter. Photographers must check in at the designated ticket window and register the photo session in the Garden’s ledger.

Fee
A photography fee of $125 will be charged per client. The photography fee includes admission for all members of the group (regardless of size), including the photographer. No discounts, complimentary passes, coupons, or group rates may be applied to the photography fee. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Personal checks are not accepted. The Garden does not accept advance payment for photo sessions.

Fee waiver
Garden Sustaining-level members ($225 membership) or higher receive a waiver, but only if the subject of the photograph (in a wedding party, limited to bride or groom) or his/her parent(s) or guardian is the member. The Sustaining or higher level member must be present and will be asked to show both their current membership card and a photo ID. There are no fee waivers available for photographers or photography studios.

Locations
Photography is permitted in any of the outdoor public areas of the Garden. Photos are not permitted inside any buildings or conservatories (including the Climatron®, Linnean House, Shoenberg Temperate House, Ridgway Center, or 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.

Parking
Free, on-site parking is available. Vehicles should load and unload passengers in the bus parking area of the 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 Center (main entrance building). Vehicles may not remain unattended in front of the Ridgway Center. Absolutely no idling of vehicles is permitted on the Garden’s campus. Security will ask drivers of idling vehicles to turn off their engines or leave the premises.

Restrictions
The Garden is a tobacco-free campus; no smoking or tobacco product is allowed on the Garden grounds or in the parking lots. No alcoholic beverages may be brought into the Garden.

For your convenience
Public restrooms may be used for clothing changes. Tram service is available on our narrated public tram tour route on a first come, first served basis for $3 per person during normal tram operating hours. No shuttle services are provided.

Friendly reminder
Our visitors at the Garden also want a pleasant experience. Please be courteous and do not block pathways or other 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, such as Chinese Culture Days (third weekend in May), the Japanese Festival (Labor Day weekend), and Best of Missouri Market (first weekend in October), draw exceptionally large crowds. Please review the Calendar of Events before choosing you date.

Advance scouting
We encourage you to visit the Garden in advance at your leisure to scout locations for your photography session. Regular admission applies.

Questions
For 24-hour recorded general information, call (314) 577-9400. For questions related to the Wedding and Portrait Photography Policy, call (314) 577-5101 or email.