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General Policies

• General Policies for All Photographers
• Non-Professional Photographers
• Using and Selling Photos of the Garden
• Photographer Members

Special Policies

• Professional Photo Shoots & Filming
• Conducting Photography Classes
• Media Coverage

General Policies for all Photographers

We ask that you honor these policies when using the Garden as a backdrop for any photography or filming.

• The Garden does not allow portrait photography. *
• Please stay on the pathways at all times.
• Keep all equipment (including tripods) on pathways.
• We are a smoke-free and cell phone-free environment.
• We do not allow food, drinks (other than bottled water), or pets in the Garden.
• Because we are a facility open to the public, we ask that you not block any pathways or garden areas.
• Please do not climb trees, enter waterfall areas, or step into raked sand gardens.
• Please do not touch or move plant life. Do not hang backpacks or props on trees or plants.
• The Garden assumes no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to equipment. Take valuables with you when you park your car.

* Definition of Portrait Photography

The Portland Japanese Garden defines portrait photography as all family portraits, wedding, senior, and engagement portraits, and any other posed portraiture of individuals by professional photographers or amateur photographers acting as professionals. The Portland Japanese Garden reserves the right to further define Portrait Photography on a case-by-case basis.

Photo Rights & Usage

The Portland Japanese Garden allows promotional usage of photos taken in the Garden by its current Photographer Members. The Marketing Department reserves the right to use any and all photographs taken of the Garden to promote, market, and advertise the Garden.

Photo Credit

The Portland Japanese Garden requires the location credit "Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, OR" in all uses of Garden photos in print, on the web, in broadcast, and in any other public medium.

Admission Procedures

At the admission gate, all photographers who do not intend to use their photos for promotional/commercial purposes will be asked to sign a waiver to that effect.

Commercial photographers must choose between purchasing a Photographer Membership or paying the same amount ($150) as a one-time session fee. This will be required before admitting photographers who intend to sell photos or use them for any type of commercial purposes, in advertising, educational materials, on the web, etc. Photographer Membership may be purchased at the admission gate or in advance.

Current Photographer Members need only show identification at the admission gate.

Tripod Fee

The admission gate charges $2.00 per photographer with a tripod. Portland Japanese Garden members are exempt from this tripod fee.

Special Policies

Non-Professional Photographers

You are welcome to take photographs of the Garden for your own use and enjoyment. Please observe the rules in our General Photography Policies. If you think you have taken a great shot please let us know! We always need photos for advertising or our newsletter. Contact the Director of Marketing and Communications at kcobb@japanesegarden.com or (503) 328-0050.

Using and Selling Photos of the Garden

Any photographer who uses images of the Portland Japanese Garden for commercial, advertising, or promotional purposes is required to pay $150 fee for a one-year Photographer Membership, which includes many additional benefits. Without payment of the fee, it is strictly forbidden to sell or use images taken of the Portland Japanese Garden or the Portland Japanese Garden logo for commercial or promotional activities, which include but are not limited to publishing, marketing, educational materials, products and retail merchandise, general and web advertising, broadcast, or any situation where the photographer is paid for the use of the image. This fee entitles the payee to a one-year Photographer Membership with the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon. (The same $150 fee is applicable to commercial and promotional photographers who choose not to become members.)

Photographer Members

The Portland Japanese Garden is pleased to offer our Photographer Membership for professional and amateur photographers. This special membership provides benefits created specifically for photographers. Please visit the Photographer Membership page for a full list of benefits.

(All photographers are asked to adhere to the General Photography Policies above.)

Photo Shoots & Filming

Ad agencies, television stations, and other commercial entities who wish to shoot at the Garden are required to submit a written proposal to the Director of Marketing and Communications via email at kcobb@japanesegarden.com. Proposals are considered on a case-by-case basis and rates are determined based on the scope of the shoot. Accepted proposals require a signed agreement and payment by credit card prior to the shoot.

For more information and availability, please contact the Director of Marketing and Communications at kcobb@japanesegarden.com or (503) 328-0050.

Cancellations must be made 72 hours in advance to receive a refund.

As well as observing our General Photography Policies, please note the following:

• Participants must come fully dressed and made up, as we do not have facilities to change or prepare for a photo shoot. Public restrooms are available for quick touch-ups.
• Early-morning, members-only hours are a special privilege for our members. We ask that you be respectful when sharing the Garden with others.
• The Japanese Garden Society of Oregon is a private, not-for-profit organization supported solely by gate admission, memberships, and donations. We ask you to honor our policies when using any part of our property. Those who do not comply will be asked to leave without a refund of fee. Our commitment is to protect the aesthetics, beauty, and delicate nature of our Garden.

Conducting Photography Classes

Current Garden Photographer Members are allowed to conduct photography workshops and receive a group rate for workshop participants with the pre-approval of the Director of Tour Operations. Contact email tours@japanesegarden.com or (503) 223-9233.

Please visit the Photographer Membership page for a full list of benefits.

Media Coverage

Media photographers, please contact the Director of Marketing and Communications at kcobb@japanesegarden.com or (503) 328-0050 to set up a time to shoot at the Garden.