Photography Sessions at Nagelkirk Gardens

Thank you for your interest in using Nagelkirk Gardens as a location for your photography! We love being part of the beautiful images our grounds help create — whether it's senior portraits, engagement photos, styled shoots, or commercial work.

Please review the details below before submitting an inquiry.

For those just wanting to grab a few personal photos on your phone (family pics, a proposal moment, casual portraits)—you're welcome to! We just ask that you:

  • Email the manager beforehand — we need to approve the date/time.
    Email Maggie at admin@nagelkirkgardens.com or Mailee at venue@nagelkirkgardens.com

  • Keep it non-commercial. These images should be for personal use only, not for selling, marketing, or business promotion.

  • Follow all the same on-site rules as our photo sessions (no touching/climbing on displays or plants, no picking flowers, supervise children, etc. — see "While You're On-Site" below).

No fee applies for personal use — this option is just for capturing your own memories at the gardens.

For Professional Photographers — Here is How it Works

  1. Submit an inquiry. At the bottom of this guide there is a link to a form, please submit that with the requested information. 

  2. We'll follow up within 2–3 business days to confirm availability and any details specific to your session.

  3. Approved sessions will receive a confirmation email with your date, time window, and any guidelines specific to your shoot.

Session Guidelines

  • Sessions must be scheduled in advance. We're unable to accommodate walk-up or same-day photography requests.

  • Photographers and clients should plan within normal seasonal business hours: Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm.

  • Your session will be isolated to the venue and the venue grounds, use of other areas of the property must be approved prior to the shoot. 

Two Ways to Use the Space

Option 1 — Photo Trade: Use the venue at no cost in exchange for images we can use in our own marketing.
To qualify:

  • Session is capped at 2 hours, scheduled during a time the space isn't otherwise in use.

  • You provide us with a minimum of 10 edited, high-resolution photos of the venue itself (grounds and greenhouse venue).

  • Photos must be delivered within 14 business days of your session, via Google Drive link or email.

  • Nagelkirk Gardens receives full rights to use these images across our website, social media, print materials, and advertising, with no expiration and no additional compensation owed. We're happy to credit you as the photographer where practical.

  • If fewer than 10 photos are delivered, or none are delivered within the window, the $150/hour fee (see Option 2) becomes due for the session.

Option 2 — Paid Rental Prefer to keep all your images for your client's use only? Rent the space for $150/hour, payable prior to your session. No photo delivery required.

Please Note

  • Please plan to work with the venue as currently set. We're not able to and we ask that you do not move, remove, or add tables/chairs, or build out a layout for your session. This helps us keep turnaround quick between bookings.

  • We ask that any photos featuring recognizable Nagelkirk Gardens signage, structures, or greenhouses tag or credit @nagelkirk_venue if posted publicly. This is appreciated, not required.

  • Nagelkirk Gardens is not liable for any injury, loss, or damage to persons, equipment, or property during your session.

  • We reserve the right to decline or reschedule a session due to weather, business needs, private events, or other operational reasons.

While You're On-Site

  • Please do not touch, climb, or sit on displays, plant structures, water features, or garden decor. This protects both your clients and our merchandise/plantings from damage.

  • Picking flowers, foliage, or any plant material, including from display arrangements, is not permitted without prior approval.

  • Children present during the session must be supervised by an adult at all times.

  • We are a smoke and vape-free property.

  • No bicycling, rollerblading, drones, or similar equipment without prior approval.

  • Tripods, reflectors, and small equipment are welcome; larger setups (lighting rigs, backdrops, drones, etc.) must be discussed and approved in advance.

Props & Décor

To protect our plants, structures, and merchandise, the following are not permitted:

  • Confetti, glitter, rice, birdseed, and/or any product that is not biodegradable 

  • Open-flame lighting–candles, lanterns, sparklers, etc. must get approval

  • Fireworks and pyrotechnics 

  • Tape, nails, staples, tacks, or adhesives on any structure, wall, or surface

  • Moving, rearranging, or relocating tables, chairs, merchandise, plants, or fixtures without staff approval

Inquiry Form

Please click the link below and provide the requested information so we can get back to you quickly:

Inquiry Form

We'll be in touch soon to confirm details. Thanks again for thinking of Nagelkirk Gardens — we can't wait to see what you create here!