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:

12pm to 7pm – Tuesday - Wednesday
10am to 7pm - Thursday – Sunday
No photography on Mondays

Procedure Summary for Portrait Photographs at Edith Moore

Photographer must complete online application and pay fee for permit for portrait photography, including acknowledgment/waiver.
Photographer must reserve date/time with Sanctuary Manager for upcoming shoot within the days and times available.
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

Choose the number of each type of session you want in the boxes below.

Basic Session – 1-4 persons
$50.00 - no apparel changes; using portable camera only

Basic Session 1-4 $50

Basic Session – 5-8 persons
$75.00 - no apparel changes; using portable camera only

Basic Session 5-8 $75

Advanced Session – 1-4 persons
$100.00 - apparel changes and\or portable camera with additional equipment\tripod\lenses

Advanced Session 1-4 $100

Advanced Session - 5-8 persons
$150.00 - apparel changes and\or portable camera with additional equipment\tripod\lenses

Advanced Session 5-8 $150

Videography Session - max of 8 persons
$150.00

Videography max 8 $150

Photography session with access to interior of cabin
$200.00

Photography interior cabin $200

Wedding\Bridal photography session
$300.00 - includes access to interior of cabin

Wedding-Bridal $300

Annual Portrait Photographer Permit
$250.00
One calendar year of basic sessions to be utilized by one photographer only. Photographer is still required to email date requests for each session.

Annual Photographer Permit $250

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

I have read the above policies and guidelines, understand my responsibilities, and agree to the conditions set forth. I understand that I and my clients will be expelled from sanctuary immediately if we do not abide by the above.

Photographer Name (Required)

Name of Company (if applicable)

Cell Phone

Email Address (Required)

Name\Title of Client being photographed (Required)

Name(s) and Age(s) of Subjects (Required)

Purpose\Description of Photography Session (Required)

Any subjects with special needs

(vision, wheel chair, etc.)

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Planned equipment and attire

Any clothing changes while on the grounds?

Desired day and 2-hour time frame of visit (Required)

Any other notes or questions

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.

Maximum of 8 persons in group.
Maximum session time is two hours.
No refunds or reschedules.
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.
Photography sittings must be family appropriate – G rated – no nudity or inappropriate messages\clothing\language. Proper attire is required at all times. Subjects may not wear bathing suits of any style anywhere in the park. Indecent or revealing low-cut blouses, short dresses, skirts, or shorts are NOT ALLOWED. Male subjects must wear a shirt at all times. Failure to comply with this rule will result in an incident report being written and the photographer will be permanently banned from the sanctuary.
Portrait groups must respect all sanctuary rules and other visitors:
Stay on marked trails.
No alcoholic beverages or smoking permitted.
Pets are not allowed.
Leave nature as you found it – pack out everything you pack in – do not disturb the wildlife or plants.
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.
Must schedule with sanctuary manager, within sanctuary hours of operation – 7am-7pm
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 Sanctuary Manager (at least one week 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.
Any exception to the above MUST have prior written approval of the Sanctuary Manager.