Photography at the Garden
The garden is a photographer’s paradise. Whether you’re an amateur shutterbug, a wedding party looking for a beautiful background or a commercial photographer doing a promotional shoot, the garden is a natural choice.
Personal photography info
Personal photography is welcome! Details for professional or commercial photography are below. Please feel free to tag your shots of the garden on Instagram with @UABotanicGarden. We might reshare your image!
All photographers must follow the garden’s Photography Guidelines, as seen below.
Professional Photography
How to book
Whether you are looking for photos for family portraits, graduation, your model portfolio, and other group types, the garden is a stunning, unique backdrop. For bookings and information, contact us at: uabg.bookings@ualberta.ca or 780-492-3138.
Wedding photography
The garden provides a beautiful backdrop for wedding and engagement photos — visit our Wedding Photography page for booking details. All wedding and engagement photos must be booked in advance.
Drones
Drones are not permitted for personal use or functions/events such as weddings.
Requests for commercial drone flights must be made a minimum of six weeks in advance at uabg.marketing@ualberta.ca or 780-492-3303. Drone flights are not permitted during hours when the garden is open to the public.
Photography Guidelines
To protect plants, gardens and the enjoyment of guests, all photographers — professional or amateur — must follow these guidelines:
- Guest Guidelines must be observed by all guests at the garden.
- All commercial photography (wedding, group, family portrait, graduation, model portfolio, fashion, advertisement and promotional photography and film/video production) must be booked in advance.
- Photographers and equipment are not permitted in planting areas (e.g., flower beds and borders).
- Plant material cannot be altered, moved, or removed for photos.
- Photography activities must not block pathways entirely; access for golf carts and pedestrians must be maintained.
- Tripods are permitted, but not must not block pathways or harm plants.
- Electrical or lighting equipment must be approved in advance.
- The climbing of trees or structures is not permitted.
- Photography is not permitted in any water features or on the rocks around the waterfall in the Kurimoto Japanese Garden. Wading and swimming is not permitted in any water features.
- The garden is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to equipment.
- Golf carts are not available for rent — please be prepared for walking.
- The gardens are not closed off to the public during photographs.
- Though care is taken to limit and stagger photo bookings, there may be more than one party taking photos in the garden at any given time.
- There is no indoor facility available for photo-only groups. In case of inclement weather, we recommend that you have an indoor alternate arranged in advance.