Amateur, recreational, and hobbyist photographers are welcome to take photos for personal use only. Group or single posed photography (description below) is required to be pre-approved. Photography may not block, disrupt, or hinder visitor access or circulation of paths and walkways. Personal photographs and videos are not to be used for commercial purposes. 

Photo sessions are approved on a case-by-case basis. Maximum of 5 sessions permitted each day. Wedding photography is only permitted for clients contracted for a wedding at Sunken Gardens.

Photos sessions are scheduled during the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. No after-hour shoots are available. Please observe all guidelines listed below and be aware of the nature of the facilities that you are using. Please be mindful that we are unable to reserve a specific garden area for photo sessions.

Photo sessions include proposals, engagement sessions, family portraits, anniversaries, graduations, prom, maternity, blogs, birthdays, quinceaneras etc. Balloons are not permitted in the Gardens. Sessions must be scheduled 5 days in advance.

The fee for a one-hour photo session is $250 for up to 10 persons, including your hired photographer. Additional time is available at the rate of $150 per hour, with a minimum increment of one hour. Additional adult guests are $20 per person. All prices are pre-tax.

Payment is due upon arrival of session and entire party must be present at the time of check-in.

Please note: Sunken Gardens reserves the right to turn away photographers who have not booked in advance and has the right of refusal based on community standards/content.

Sunken Gardens is home to tropical plants and trees in a subtropical environment. There are many backdrops that make beautiful photo and film opportunities.

We allow the use of Sunken Gardens’ property for film, TV commercials, and still photography shoots based upon certain criteria. To discuss the use and the availability of the Gardens, please call 727.892.5715 or email sarah.carvalis@stpete.org to receive a copy of the reservation form.

Sunken Gardens is a no-drone zone. Due to strong safety concerns and protection of our National Historic Landmark, drone flight or photography (or flight of unmanned, and/or remote-controlled aircraft of any kind) originating from or flying over Sunken Gardens property, is strictly prohibited, except in collaboration with Sunken Gardens’ Marketing Department and with express written permission.

• Do not climb or hang from trees, bushes, ponds, waterfalls or animal enclosures. Such actions will result in removal from the Gardens.

• Photography must not block gateways, pathways, entrances or exits. Do not place equipment where it will block pathways or restrict access for other visitors.

• Walking, standing, placing equipment, or taking photographs in planting beds and wooded areas is not permitted any time.

• Do not attach, drape, lean or hang anything from trees, plants or gates.

• Sunken Gardens cannot guarantee that scheduled special events, programming, maintenance work, or construction work will not interfere aesthetically, logistically or physically with the photoshoot.

• There are no dressing room facilities. The restrooms are not to be used as a dressing room as they are the public facilities for the Gardens.

• Appropriate attire is always required. Changing clothes or photography/videography of bathing suits or lingerie is not permitted. Nudity, in any form, is strictly prohibited.

• The permit is for photography only. Wedding ceremonies are not allowed unless contracted through Sunken Gardens. Performing a ceremony will result in the immediate termination of the photoshoot with no refund of the fee.

• All visitors should enjoy the Gardens while remaining on the designated paths and walkways. If at any time a volunteer or staff member witnesses behavior that places the other visitors, the Gardens, or animals at risk, visitors may be asked to leave the premises and forfeit their garden experience.