Smith-Gilbert Gardens Photography Policy

Smith-Gilbert Gardens with its wide variety of plant material and sculpture, along with the historic Hiram Butler house, provides an ideal backdrop for beautiful portraits and photographs.  Casual photography for personal use is welcome.  Professional and commercial photographers must call the Garden office at 770-919-0248 to schedule a photo shoot at least one week in advance.

SGG reserves the right to deny access to the grounds for photography purposes if a photo shoot conflicts with educational or other events at SGG.  Advance scheduling is for everyone’s safety, helps prevent more than one group attempting to use the facility at the same time, and allows staff to schedule irrigation times so that they do not conflict with photography appointments.

Photographers working with brides, bridal parties, and other guests who rent the Gardens for a function may coordinate a photo shoot with the renters, if desired, in advance of the event. Renters of the facility may use the photographer of their choice for the duration of the rental period specified in their rental contract.

For professional photographers scheduling group photographs, the following rates apply:

•  Up to 10 people – $100 for up to 3 hours
• 10 to 25 people – $200 for up to 3 hours
• More than 25 – request rate
• For all bridal and engagement photographs (for brides not booked with Smith-Gilbert Gardens) – $250 for up to 3 hours

Both photographers and subjects must stay on walkways or on grass at all times. Please do not pose, walk on, or cut through our planting beds. This includes any area covered with pine straw, even if no plants are visible at the time.  Photographers and subjects are also asked to respect all SGG property by not climbing onto sculpture, trees, handrails, or other structures for photo poses or any other reason.

The exposure and visitorship that photographers and their clients bring to Smith-Gilbert Gardens is appreciated. Substantial expenditure and effort is made to ensure that SGG is an attractive, educational venue for the entire Atlanta community. In order to maintain our aesthetic standards and ensure garden access to all appropriate users, it is crucial that both amateur and professional photographers adhere to this policy.