Botanical Garden Pricing

[mivy00]

I have a question one of you might be able to answer.
The Ft.Worth Botanical Garden is owned by the city of Fort Worth. That makes it public property correct? If it is listed as public property is it legal for them to charge 25.00 - 75.00 per hour?

I contacted them about their pricing this is the email i got.

Originally Posted by Botanical Garden Peeps

Actually we prefer to think that we’re exerting some control over photographers rather than discouraging photography….We have about 125 professional photographers that use the Garden on a regular basis, and many other “out of the trunk of the car” folks that give the pros a bad name.



What we’ve done is offer a monthly pass for $500.00 to groups of up to five professional photographers. So each photographer in the group could pay as little as $100.00 for the month. Most pros find this fair, as they can shoot as many times as they like during the month. And of course the group can decide to extend the terms of the agreement for several months. However, this pass is not good for the Japanese Garden, which is operated by the Fort Worth Botanical Society.



Usually the peak times for photographers is late March through June and October through the first week in December. We just started the group pass this year, and the folks who have done it seem satisfied. You may want to check with some other photographers and see if they are interested in this arrangement.



Also, the $75.00/hr. fee only applies in the Japanese Garden, the Conservatory and the Fuller Garden. The rest of the Garden is $25.00/hr. 100% of the photography revenue goes for the maintenance of the Garden.

[*Mike*]

I think it's totally legit. Here are the guidelines for shooting at Jones Beach, (LI, NY) a public beach.

"Since our parks are open to the general public, we must impose certain restrictions regarding Wedding Photographs:

* Either the bride or the groom must be a Nassau County resident with a Valid Leisure Passport, otherwise the non-resident permit fee of $100 will apply.
* Photography is limited to the bridal party and immediate family only.
* No tents or canopies may be erected.
* Vehicle(s) are not permitted on service roads and must be parked in parking lots.
* Photography cannot take place before 10 a.m. or after dusk.
* There can be no reservation of any particular area.
* Permit is rain or shine.
* A Leisure Passport and/or approved Permit must be presented at the park facility, upon request.
* Permit covers wedding photographs only."

Bummer, I know...

[mivy00]

Seems to me that mostly it discourages beginer portrait photographers trying to gain experiance and beginner businesses that are not charging higher rates. Most clients want me to come up with places to do the portraits but none of them want to pay an additional 75.00 per hour

[brad]

I'm probably one of those that supposedly gives the pros a bad name... but I've never had a problem out there with security wanting money.

[mivy00]

I am too ....but I dont want that problem to occur when im with a client .....and i didnt know that it costs more to shoot in fuller garden. I have also heard they are going to be getting more strict about this

[AndrewCCM]

It is owned and maintained by the Botanical Society, not the city as I understand it.

[mivy00]

Thats what i thought at first. However notice the second paragraph she says only the japanese gardens are operated by the botanical socity .....and all of the email addresses to email the botanical gardens go to fortworthgov.org

[AndrewCCM]

BTW: If you are a member of several local photo clubs you can be exempted from these fees... I believe the Fort Worth Camera Club and Lockeed Martin clubs are part of this exemption.

Typically, you'll only be hassled if you bring a tripod or have a bride in a gown. If you are just taking snapshots, you will not usually be asked for permit.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by mivy00

Thats what i thought at first. However notice the second paragraph she says only the japanese gardens are operated by the botanical socity .....and all of the email addresses to email the botanical gardens go to fortworthgov.org

Interesting.. good to know.

[mivy00]

Actually thats not exactly true. I asked about that which was the original reason for my email to them this is what i got on that subject.

Originally Posted by Garden peeps again

Hello Matt—



Currently our agreement with the Camera Clubs is that if one of their members submits usable pictures during the calendar year, then they are eligible for a Camera Club pass the following year. In other words, members of the Club who submitted usable pictures in 2006 are eligible for passes in 2007. Usable pictures are those taken of certain areas of the Garden, which are listed on the web site of the Fort Worth Camera Club (and the Lockheed Camera Club as well if I’m not mistaken). The Camera Club pass does allow free admission to the Japanese Garden and other areas of the Garden, but for landscape photography only. In other words, using the pass for portraiture would raise issues of the photographer’s legitimate status as an amateur, and could result in the pass being revoked. Hopefully that clears it up for you.

[AndrewCCM]

Well once again I stand corrected. Perhaps Mike or one of the Camera Club members can share their experiences.

[Bruce M. Morris]

From what I have seen the Botanical Gardens in Ft Worth are pretty well maintained and provide a welcome break from the surrounding areas. Is it better to have the people that use it pay a small fee to support the maintenance and upkeep or would it be better for the city as a whole to pay taxes for somethign that the majority might not use??

[mivy00]

I dont mind paying a small fee to take photos there .... But it seems to me that I should be able to do it for free if it truely is public property. I can go across the street and take photos at trinity park for free ..... no one pays to get into the botanical gardens.

The japanese gardens i understand it is owned by a private orginazation regular people pay to get in. The 75.00 per hour fee seems a little steep but if they get it and are happy then great.

[mivy00]

The only city ordinance related to the botanical garden

Sec. 24-16. Botanic Garden.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons within the confines of the Botanic Garden of the city to engage in any active recreational or athletic pursuit, including by way of example but not limitation, horseback riding, archery, horseshoes, kite flying, model airplane flying, fishing, football, baseball, frisbee, croquet, badminton, golf, chase, motorized and nonmotorized cycling off designated park drives, swimming, wading, dog walking or running, and camping. Each and every rule and regulation enumerated within this article, each and every order and requirement of the department of parks and community services, any ordinance or general law relating to the maintenance and preservation of the Botanic Garden for its intended purpose shall be strictly observed and followed by visitors to the Botanic Garden.

http://www.municode.com/resources/ga...menu_0_btnlink

[kenw]

"paying to get in" and "public property" have nothing to do with each other, ie; being public property doesn't preclude having to pay to get in.

a non-photographer could say they resent paying taxes to support a private enterprise (your photography business).