Do I Need a Permit?
A photography permit covers specific photography sessions and includes any of the following conditions:
- Portrait: Anyone having a portrait taken at Duke Gardens, including those celebrating their quinceañera, wedding, engagement, proposals, birthday, family, maternity, graduation or any other special situation.
- Intent: Any visit to Duke Gardens where the main purpose is taking portrait, family or special occasion photography, rather than a recreational visit to the Gardens.
- A photographer: Either amateur, student or professional. Someone (or several) who are the designated photographer(s) within your party.
- Props & makeup: Flowers (real or artificial), luggage and wagons that contain props, makeup cases.
- A change of clothes: Changing in or out of outfits.
- Prom: Students from Durham Public Schools are welcome to take portraits on prom weekends with friends and family. But professional photographers must still apply for a permit.
Weekend (Sat.-Sun.) Pricing
Daytime
Photo shoots that occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- $150: 1-5 people
- $250: 6-10 people; 10 people is the maximum allowed.
Golden Hour
Photo shoots that occur between 8 and 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.
- $200: 1-5 people
- $300: 6-10 people; 10 people is the maximum allowed.
This iframe contains an embedded form to select a photography permit and directs to a permit payment portal.