Morning Photoshoot Reservations

Looking for a beautiful backdrop for your photoshoot? Whether you're looking to take photos for your wedding, engagement, family, maternity or any other special occasion, the Japanese Friendship Garden is the perfect setting!

Photo Ops!

Dates, Times & Pricing

Dates
Reservations can be any day of the week. Dates are pending availability and staffing, so be sure to include any dates you are open to in your inquiry below. Reservations are required for morning photoshoots. No walk-ins accepted.

Times
Private morning photoshoot reservations take place between 9:00 am and 10:00 am.

Pricing
Morning Photoshoot Reservations are $150 per hour plus admission, and is due in full at time of booking. Fees are not refundable; photoshoots and proposals are rain or shine. There is a date change fee of $50.

If the photoshoot is for commercial use, such as for magazines, advertisement, and commercial/media usage, additional fees may apply. Please include this information in your inquiry to obtain accurate information and rates.

The Morning Photoshoot Reservation includes the following:

  • Access to the outdoor areas of both the Upper and Lower Gardens during the reserved time slot.

  • A staff will be available to meet you at the assigned entry point at the start of your reservation to provide access to the venue.


The following are not included:

  • Photographers & videographers are not included.

  • Wedding or other such ceremonies are not to be conducted during this reservation. To make a reservation click here to check out our Minimony packages.

  • As we are unable to accommodate photoshoots during our regular hours for safety reasons, we are offering this option in the morning before we open. However, this is the time period our gardeners are hard at work making the garden beautiful. While they will be easy to avoid having in your photos, they may be using equipment that emit noise. Of course this won’t show up in your photos, but if you are planning a video or want to conduct a ceremony, again our Minimony package or a private proposal booking, would be your best options, as for those reservations we have the gardeners alter their schedule to keep things quiet in the garden.

  • Private use of the space; we are not open to the public at this time. Staff, volunteers and programs may be present in the garden. Although we aim to only book one photoshoot at a time, depending on the season there may be more than one photoshoot happening at the same time. The garden is large and there is plenty of space to take photos.

Private Morning Proposals

  • No setup involved: $500

  • Bringing in a musician or setup involved (arch, florals, etc.): cost of hourly rate of our private events:

    • UG: $900 Mon-Thurs / $1,100 Fri-Sun

    • LG: $1,100 Mon-Thurs / $1,400 Fri-Sun

Requirements

  • All uses of images/film in print, web, broadcast, or any other public medium require the location credit.

  • No indoor spaces other than the restrooms may be utilized, so we recommend coming dressed and ready to go.

  • No food is permitted on site, but you may have bottled water or beverages.

  • Wedding or other such ceremonies are not to be conducted during this reservation. To make a reservation click here to check out our Minimony packages.

  • Follow our general photoshoot guidelines

    • Drones are prohibited.

    • No smoking in the Garden.

    • Remain on all paths and do not obstruct any pathways, leave tripping hazards, close the large wooden gate, or move any barricades.

    • Do not remove or alter any garden signage.

    • Do not climb, stand or sit on the rocks. (The flat stepping stones across the stream are ok)

    • Do not walk on Dry Rock Garden.

    • Do not touch or pick items off trees and plants or hang any items from them.

    • Do not feed Koi fish or toss coins into the Koi Pond.

    • Garden will obtain copies of media or photos for any commercial photos or film productions for records.

    • Use of images/film for commercial advertising, or promotional purposes require written consent by the Garden.

Let’s work together to create amazing photos while staying safe and preserving the garden for future visitors! Thank you!