Ft. Worth Botanical Garden Rules ?

[CaptainTom]

For years now, I have been under the impression that the Botanical Gardens have rules about professional photographers, permits, etc.
I'm not talking about the Japanese Gardens, but the Botanical Gardens in general.
I have explored their web site, the city web site, etc. and cannot find any posting of rules or regulations restricting photography at the gardens.
They list the fees to rent areas, rooms, pianos, etc. but nothing referring to a permit to shoot brides, grooms, friends, etc.

Can anyone point me to something specific that isn't just word of mouth, or something that happened two years ago ?

[Blue Leaf]

A permit is needed based on a past experience I had. I'd just call the main office to clarify.

[Debbi]

Tom, it depends on the Garden. The Rose Garden has a $25.00 photo permit fee. I have bypassed this numerous times by not shooting on a tripod or having off-camera flashes. The Botanical Gardens DO have photog police and they will stop and ask what you are doing. Been there and done that within the last year. Other than the Japanese Gardens, that is the only one I know for sure.

BTW - their website is very vague. The City won't give you any info because they don't run the Gardens. Here ya go - (817) 871-7686

[Jay Henley]

The lady at the desk did give me a sheet of paper about a year ago with some rules for photographers but I don't remember any of them.

[CaptainTom]

I called and the person who answered the phone said "everyone knows about the fees".
She finally said that the only place she knew that this rule was written down was a sign inside the building. Her comment was "if you are making money off of the photo you have to have a permit". My comment would be "how do you know if someone isn't making money from a flower photo they took ?" She then said I could speak to her supervisor, and I was on hold for a loooooong time. Then disconnected.

I don't argue that they have right to regulate their facility any way they want. I would hope that it would be fair and reasonable.

So, the moral of the story is " get a permit ", even though there is seemingly no official posting that one is needed.

[Debbi]

Talk about vague!

[J Eddington]

Gee, Terry and I were both there 2 weeks ago and came in the front door with full gear tripods and all. No one said a thing. AND no one was at the Japanese gardens so we got in for free.

[Big T]

My son and I went in a month ago, tripods, monopods, flash. no one said anything, we didn't even think about it being a problem.

[AndrewCCM]

Shot a wedding there Saturday.. Didn't have one person even give me or my assistant a second glance.

I do know that the fee is based upon the garden as it is not a publicly owned facility. I have yet to need one. I just assumed that if the couple was paying for their wedding there, photography was part of that cost. Ignorance is bliss sometimes.

[ddaybuff]

I have heard from some people that there are no tripods allowed anywhere in the garden, even if you are an amateur photographer. Others, as above, say that they have been able to shoot using all equipment with no problems whatsoever. Sounds like there is not a clear policy in place, except the Japanese Gardens.

[sebbomar]

I have been to the gardens several times. Sometimes I am stopped and asked about my tripod and other times nobody has approached me. I think that depends on staffing.

[speedshot]

I have shot early in the morning on weekends and not had a issue yet with grounds keerers all around mostly in the rose garden area

[brad]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Her comment was "if you are making money off of the photo you have to have a permit".

Well then, I should be safe... I don't make any money off this. If I did, I'd have a garden of my own to shoot in.