Photography Guidelines

​Thank you for choosing Washington Oaks Gardens State Park for your photography sessions.
​For more information: Washington.Oaks.Gardens@dep.state.fl.us

​Please follow these guidelines while in our Park:   

All Wedding Photography must be reserved and

​permitted with the Park at least 7 days in advance.

• The Park reserves the right to prohibit photography in any area at any time. Failure to adhere to guidelines, failure to acquire the required permits, or failure to adhere to staff direction may result in termination of the photography session.
• All photography must take place during normal operating hours.
• Please adhere to the Park closing time (see exact time at Ranger Station & Beach Access).
• Photography must be conducted without disruption to other visitors. ​ 
• Please be thoughtful of your photography or video activities and respect the needs and privacy of other visitors.
• Visitor and Park Staff traffic may not be blocked at any time. 
• Handheld cameras and camera phones are welcome in all public outdoor spaces, as well as inside our Visitor Center during normal operating hours. 
• Cameras must be self-contained, may not draw on Park power sources.
• Contact us for a Special Use Permit for unique photo sessions and before or after hours requests.
• If backdrops, props or other equipment are to be used on Park property, please contact the Park for approval at (386) 446-6783. Some props and other equipment will require a Special Use Permit. Please allow at least 7 business days for processing these permit requests.
• Photographers and clients/subjects must always remain on the designated paths. 
• Do not stand or sit in flower beds, defined grass beds, ponds or on tree limbs, branches, walls, railings, brick walls or any other defined garden area, Park structure or feature. 
• In order to protect our environmental resources, refrain from climbing, hanging, sitting, standing, etc. on any trees, branches, limbs, etc.
• There are multiple benches throughout the Park for sitting. Please refrain from standing on the benches. ​
• For safety and security reasons, drones are not permitted at any time within, over or at the Park, including both Gardens and Beach side. 
• Balloons of all types are not permitted anywhere in the park or on the beach in order to preserve our natural resources and to protect our wildlife inhabitants.
• All persons/vehicles entering the Park for a photography session are required to pay the Park entrance fee upon arrival.
• Business may not be conducted on State Park property.
• All payment for photography sessions between the photographer and client(s) must occur elsewhere.
• Pets are not permitted in the Garden area or on the Beach.
• Vehicles are not permitted to drive on ANY of the paths in the gardens.
• Park in designated parking lots. Parking is prohibited on the road shoulders.
• Be considerate of other Park guests and refrain from blocking the pathways.
• Adult-oriented (18+) photography is prohibited. No expressed or implied nudity of any kind.
• Do not block the flow of foot traffic or vehicle traffic during photography sessions and respect other Park guests.
• Changing of clothing is not permitted inside the Visitor Center Museum or inside the Gift Shop. 
• Do not pick any flowers or vegetation and do not hang anything from trees and plants.
• Cutting or pulling of any flower, including roses, is prohibited. 
• Nails, push pins, staples, screws or any adhesive device/material to hang decorations are strictly prohibited.
• In order to preserve the natural environment of the Park, confetti, rice, glitter, balloons, dropping silk flower petals or introduction of any foreign materials, or the release of live birds or butterflies are prohibited.
• Entering garden beds, ponds, mondo grass restoration areas, or damaging any natural resources will result in cancellation of photography session and all will be requested to leave the Park IMMEDIATELY. 
• Do not move park benches or other objects from their locations.
• Food/Drink are prohibited in the Formal Gardens.
• Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the Park or on the Beach.
• The Park reserves the right to make renovations and modifications to its facilities at any time and is not liable for alteration or inconvenience to previously intended plans/events.
• The Park and its representatives assume no responsibility for any property placed in the facility or on the premises or any property that is left on the premises after the event is over.
• Please note the gardens will be decorated for the Holiday season between November 15th through January 8th (approximately).
• This permit is not for wedding ceremonies. Please visit the Weddings tab under the Reservations heading above to submit a request for a wedding ceremony.  
• The Park reserves the right to prohibit photography in any area at any time. Failure to adhere to guidelines, failure to acquire the required permits, or failure to adhere to staff direction may result in termination of the photography session.

Photography Policies Brochure

​Commercial photography, videography and filming requests will be taken on a case-by-case basis and fees associated with commercial shoots will vary. To request a commercial photo/video shoot, please fill out the Photography Permit Application Form by clicking the green button below.

Photography Permit Application