Photography Guidelines & Permits

Professional Photography Guidelines

Individuals or small groups may use the Garden for professional photography as long as the guidelines below are followed. A permit is not required. We provide these guidelines so your group has a positive photography session, while ensuring a pleasant experience for our many visitors.

• Photo shoots must take place during regular Garden hours (dawn to dusk daily). During Garden d’Lights (late November through December every year),  photo shoots must conclude by 4:00pm, when the Garden closes to the public for event preparation. No photo shoots are permitted during Garden d’Lights event hours. See our Garden d’Lights page for this year’s event dates and times. 
• Keep pathways clear
• Stay out of planting beds
• Do not place tripods in plant beds or on pathways
• You are welcome to walk on the lawns
• Do not disturb or remove plants, plant parts, plant labels, markers, or containers
• Do not climb on rocks or trees
• Please be courteous of other visitors’ expectations for a peaceful visit to the Garden
• Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the Garden; service animals only are allowed
• We do not have changing rooms or facilities for indoor photography
• While we do not allow weddings at the Garden, we do allow wedding photography

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

We are currently issuing commercial still or filming permits on a limited basis. Email staff with your request or call 425-452-2750 .

Commercial photography includes, but is not limited to, photography within the Bellevue Botanical Garden to promote or sell a product or service, photos or films for sale, and photography used for business purposes. Pre-scheduling is essential and a permit is required. Permit approval will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please review our Commercial Film & Photo Use Guide and, if you wish to proceed, complete the Park Reservation Request Form:  PDF  MS WORD

COMMERCIAL USE FEES

Bellevue Botanical Garden does not offer electricity/water access, maintenance staff, vehicle access to the grounds, or parking lot rental/reservations.

Fees are the minimum on a sliding scale based on the type of production:

• Still Photography/Training films/Industrial films, etc. – $105 per day/$53 per half day
• Broadcast, Film, TV, Commercial, etc. – $310 per day/$155 per half day