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Edith Moore log cabin

Edith Moore

Photography Permit

Portrait Photography Permit

Because the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a tranquil environment for visitors and a safe habitat for wildlife, we limit the use of the sanctuary for other uses such as portrait photography. Houston Audubon requires all portrait photography groups to pre-register and to pay a mandatory permit fee. Portrait groups must schedule with the sanctuary manager (by submitting the form below) at least one week in advance. Approval or denial will be given after the consideration process.

Please respect the serenity of the environment and follow all rules and etiquette of the sanctuary. Photographers should be considerate of other patrons at the facility. Everyone is welcome to take nature photographs of the wonderful landscape at the nature sanctuary and to take casual snapshots during visits. However, all portrait photographers (amateur or professional) must pre-register and pay Houston Audubon a permit fee to take posed portraits of individuals or groups on our grounds. We appreciate your cooperation. Bookings are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Photo sessions are a maximum of two hours long and must be scheduled at least 7 days in advance within the following hours:

  • Daily, 7 am to 7 pm

Procedure Summary for Portrait Photographs at Edith Moore

  1. Photographer must complete online application and pay fee for permit for portrait photography, including acknowledgment/waiver.
  2. Photographer must reserve date/time with Sanctuary Manager for upcoming shoot within the days and times available.
  3. Upon arrival for scheduled session, photographer must display permit while on grounds, and they and their portrait subjects must comply with all policies.
Photography Permit Application

2-hour film and photography session up to 8 people: $200

INDEMNIFICATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY AGREEMENT

I, the photographer agree to indemnify Houston Audubon from all responsibility for all actions, losses, damages, claims, or liability caused by me, my equipment, or my clients, and all responsibility for insuring adherence to the Sanctuary’s policies, rules, and guidelines. I further accept to incur all responsibility for all actions, losses, damages, claims, or liability of the aforementioned. Damages to grounds or equipment will be assessed on a value determined by replacement cost, including labor and overhead, and including loss of other revenue from other programs and/or events that occur as a result of any actions caused by me, my equipment, or my clients. I also agree to inform my clients of all Sanctuary policies, rules, and guidelines before the scheduled shoot.

Agree

Portrait Photography Policies

All photographers must abide by the Nature Sanctuary Visitor Rules as well as these specific rules concerning photography. Failure to follow all rules will lead to suspension of the opportunity of a photographer to use the Sanctuary for photography.

  • No refunds. Photographers wanting to change their scheduled time within 48 hours of the session will be charged a $25 rescheduling fee.
  • Photographer must display permit (your email receipt) on their person or equipment while on grounds – groups without permit must leave.
  • Equipment limited to cameras and tripods - NO costumes or furniture\props or lighting equipment allowed.
  • Pets are not allowed in the sanctuary.
  • Public nudity and inappropriate attire are prohibited. Inappropriate attire includes clothing that is overly revealing (such as swimsuits, undergarments, or sheer material worn as outerwear), offensive, or disruptive to the family-friendly and natural environment of the sanctuary. Shoes must be worn at all times.
  • Abide by all sanctuary policies.
  • Plants, wildlife and sanctuary structures may NOT be removed, harmed or rearranged for any purpose.
  • Do not plant or deposit any plants or foreign materials within the grounds.
  • Do not block pathways or obstruct access for other visitors when posing for photographs.
  • For safety reasons, please do not pose subjects in trees, on rocks, or on other structures.
  • Exterior shots only.
  • Do NOT tamper with hoses, equipment, tools or signs.
  • Do NOT attach any item to plant material, trees, buildings, or water features.
  • Dressing Rooms - Changing rooms are not available. Limited restroom facilities are available but are not designed to handle changing activities. Use by the public of these facilities may not be obstructed
  • Children should be supervised at all times.
  • Because photography sessions are scheduled during operating hours, we are unable to restrict access to any portion of the sanctuary for classes, groups of students, or the general public who may be passing through the grounds.
  • Do not disrupt or impede sanctuary programs (particularly at cabin and pond) – NO shots permitted near areas where programs or sanctuary maintenance tasks are taking place.
  • Houston Audubon is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen equipment.
  • Cancellations – Houston Audubon reserves the right to cancel any reservation. In such cases, all fees for the cancelled day will be fully refunded.
  • Parking – guests may park in our 440 Wilchester lot or the shared 12955 Memorial Drive lot.
  • Photographs taken at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary may not be sold, published, reproduced, transferred, distributed or otherwise commercially exploited without the express written consent of the Communications Director at least 2 weeks in advance. Any photographs that may be authorized for use must give location credit as Houston Audubon’s Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary.
  • Houston Audubon reserves the right, at its discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph on its premises, to refuse admittance for photography, and/or to change its Photography Terms and Conditions at any time without advance notice. Houston Audubon staff may enforce photography terms and conditions at any time. Failure to comply with rules may result in the photographer being permanently banned from the sanctuary.
  • Any exception to the above MUST have prior written approval of the Sanctuary Manager.
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