The UT Gardens in Knoxville are proud to provide an attractive venue and colorful setting that has become a popular location for all types of photography in the East Tennessee region. Considerable materials and labor are required to maintain the Gardens to the high standard that has attracted so many professional photographers to use the Gardens in their work.
As a result, the UT Gardens has implemented the following Professional Photography policy, ‘Professional Photographer’ being defined as one who charges a fee for their services.
Professional photographers who wish to take advantage of the UT Gardens’ as part of their commercial work are asked to become a Member of the UT Gardens at the Photographer level ($100 annual fee). These funds will directly support the maintenance and upkeep of the UT Gardens. Please refer to the information on the Membership page.
Photographers who do not wish to become a Photographer Member at this level may schedule photo shoots on the grounds for a fee of $35 per hour. Non-member (commercial) photographers who bring clients to the UT Gardens without scheduling in advance, or without paying the sitting fee, will be asked to leave the grounds.
All professional photography sessions at the UT Gardens shall be scheduled no less than 48 hours in advance of the desired session. UT Gardens reserves the right to deny access to the grounds for photography purposes if a photo shoot conflicts with educational or other events. Advance scheduling is for everyone’s safety, helps prevent more than one group attempting to use an area at the same time, and allows staff to schedule irrigation times so that they don’t conflict with photography appointments.
Scheduling: To schedule a photography session, please email utgardens@utk.edu with your desired session date and time. If you are a current Photographer Member be sure to indicate that in your email. If there is a conflict with your desired session date/time, you will receive a response. If there is no conflict, you may not always receive a response. This email is monitored Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. After emailing, be sure to make payment for your membership or session fees as required at http://tiny.utk.edu/utgphoto.
Photographers working with brides, bridal parties, and other guests who rent the UT Gardens for a function may coordinate a photo shoot with the renters, if desired, in advance of the event. Renters of the UT Gardens may use the photographer of their choice for the duration of the rental period specified in their rental contract.
During your photo session: 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. Also, do not step on or move any plant labels. Photographers and subjects are also asked to respect all UT property by not climbing onto fences, trees, or other structures for photo poses or any other reason including the old truck in the power plant garden.
The attention that photographers and their clients bring to the UT Gardens is appreciated. However, substantial funds and efforts are used to ensure that the UT Gardens are an attractive, educational venue for UT faculty and students and the entire community. In order to maintain our standards and provide access to all users, it is crucial that photographers adhere to this policy.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
We want to come and take pictures of flowers at the UT Gardens. Do we need to pay a fee? Not necessarily. If you are just taking photos for your own use and enjoyment, no fee is required. If you are planning to offer the photos for sale in some format, then a membership or session fee might be required. Contact Derrick at the email above if you have any questions.
My friend has a professional camera and is wanting to get into the photography business. They are taking photos of us at no charge. Do I need to pay the photography session fee or does my friend need to purchase a Photographer Membership? No. A photography session fee (or membership) is only necessary when you are paying a professional photographer to takes pictures.
I want to come take photos during a University of Tennessee Football home game. Can I come and take photos then? The UT Gardens is open sunrise to sunset. However, on home game days, there is no parking available near the UT Gardens. You are welcome to come and take photos, but you will have to pay for gameday parking and walk to the Gardens.
I am an alumni of the University of Tennessee. Do I have to pay the photography fee? Yes. The UT Gardens supports the work we do through donations, grants, and program fees. We do not have a discount for the photography fee.