Photography Policy
General Visitor Photography and Videography
Guests are welcome to take photos in the gardens and most parts of the museum. Photography may be prohibited in temporary/visiting exhibitions—admissions staff will inform you of any limitations during your visit.
Tripods, selfie sticks, and flash photography are not permitted in any galleries. The use of drones anywhere on the property is not allowed.
PLEASE READ
Professional Photography and Videography Policy
All sessions must be scheduled in advance through the inquiry form below. Sessions are not officially scheduled until confirmation is received from the Photography team.
All portrait photography must be scheduled in advance with the Dixon using the form below. Portrait photography at the Dixon is defined as a photography session where a photographer (amateur or professional) has a person or group of people posing for portraits on the Dixon property; this includes but is not limited to the following types of photography: family, maternity, engagement, class/team/club, prom, or other dance functions, quinceañeras and birthdays, and graduation.
Visitors are always allowed to take photos of the gardens and parts of the museum for personal use. (Example: taking photos of blooms on your phone or camera). We encourage you to tag the Dixon in photos shared on social media using #discoverthedixon, @dixonmemphis on Instagram, or @DixonGalleryandGardens on Facebook.
Scheduling and Guidelines
IMPORTANT: Certain privileges are reserved for Dixon members at the $150 level or higher.
- The 4pm time slot will be limited to $150 and up members. No photographers without that level of Dixon membership will be allowed to book sessions at 4pm.
- Saturdays and Sundays are available only for members; non-members are able to book Tuesday through Friday.
- $150 and up members will be able to book up to three (3) months in advance while non-members will be able to book up to one (1) month in advance.
We appreciate your understanding! We are excited to be able to offer free admission to the public, and becoming a member is the best way to support the Dixon and our mission.
Scheduling and Guidelines (cont)
- The Dixon asks that all photography and video shoots be scheduled at least three (3) days in advance and the Dixon reserves the right to turn down requests and turn away unscheduled groups for any reason.
- The last available booking time for photography is (Tuesday - Friday) is 3pm for non-members, (Tuesday - Sunday) 4pm for $150+ members. Please note the Dixon closes at 5pm.
- No more than 5 photographers may be on the property at a time.
- Please be aware that Dixon plantings and outdoor exhibitions are subject to change throughout the year, and the Dixon is not responsible for how this may impact your shoot.
- Photo sessions should be limited to (1) one hour on a single day
- Photographers and their clients must check in together at the admissions booth.
- Photographers and their guests must stay on designated pathways, and the grounds (flower beds, outdoor exhibitions/statues, furniture, etc.) must remain unaltered and untouched.
- All photographers and videographers must submit a signed copy of the Photography & Videography Guidelines before or upon check-in for their shoot.
The Dixon does not normally charge a fee for shoots; however, a fee may be assessed for special requests, such as large groups or approved before-or-after hours times; special requests will not necessarily be approved.
For general photography and videography inquiries, please fill out the form below.
THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED:
- Wedding portraits, unless the client has booked the Dixon for a wedding ceremony and/or reception. Guests wearing bridal attire will be asked to respect this rule by exiting the property
- Pop-up ceremonies or vow exchanges, please contact our venue rental coordinator for more information
- Excessive displays of skin, suggestive poses, or other inappropriate behaviors
- Pets, excluding service animals
- Photography sessions inside the galleries
- Drones or similar technology
- Mini-sessions (multiple clients back-to-back)
- Props, balloons, backdrops, large lighting equipment, wagons, etc.
The Dixon reserves the right to turn away props and large equipment at the Admission Booth
Commercial Photography and Videography Policy
All commercial photography and videography is prohibited at Dixon Gallery and Gardens unless scheduled in advance; approval is not guaranteed. Commercial photography and videography at the Dixon is defined as images or video created in or of the Dixon property that any individual or organization intends to use for commercial, professional, and/or promotional purposes, including but not limited to display advertising, commercials, films, music videos, retail products, brochures, websites, stock photography, portfolios, and other industrial, promotional, or advertising projects.
The Dixon asks that all photography and video shoots be scheduled at least three (3) days in advance and the Dixon reserves the right to turn down requests and turn away unscheduled groups for any reason.
The last available booking time for photography is (Tuesday - Friday) is 3pm for non-members, (Tuesday - Sunday) 4pm for $150+ members. Please note the Dixon closes at 5pm.
The Dixon does not normally charge a fee for shoots, however, a fee may be assessed for special requests, such as large groups or approved before-or-after hours times; special requests will not necessarily be approved. All photographer and videographer members must submit a signed copy of the Photography & Videography Policy before or upon check-in for their shoot.
Scheduled shoots include the following:
- Up to (1) one hour on property, during regular museum hours, on a single day for a single shoot.
- Admission to the Dixon is free thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters.
For general photography and videography inquiries, please fill out the inquiry form below. If you want to include props, changes of clothing, extensive equipment, and/or models or staged items, please note that in the “Additional Information” section of the inquiry form, but please note that requests may not be approved.
For all questions relating to photography for scheduled rental events at the Dixon, please email photography@dixon.org, or Hannah Reasons, Venue Rental Coordinator at hreasons@dixon.org.
For questions or information about using photographs or video of the Dixon grounds and property for professional use outside of portrait photographs that are for private sale, please contact Kristen Rambo, Director of Communications, at krambo@dixon.org.
Inquiry Form
The Dixon is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 1pm-5pm and shoots are scheduled in one (1) hour increments, to take place during regular museum hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Dixon Photography Team asks that photographers utilize the inquiry form above so that our team has all the necessary information to assist with your booking.
Typically, the Dixon does not charge a fee for shoots, but please note that there are certain privileges only available to members. These member privileges can be found on the Photography Guidelines document.
The Dixon permits only couples who have booked the Dixon as their wedding venue the opportunity to shoot bridal/wedding photography on the property. Engagement sessions are allowed.
Photography sessions are limited to 10 people, including the photographer, and the 4-5pm time slot is reserved for members only. If your group is under 10 people and is before 4pm, we welcome your session, though we do ask that you schedule in advance! If your group is larger, we ask that you consider another location so that it can better accommodate your group size.
We ask that photographers and their clients leave props and large equipment at home. This includes additional lighting, tripods, etc.
Photographers and their clients should check in together at our Admissions Booth near the main entrance.
Any further questions or concerns can be answered by contacting our photography team at photography@dixon.org. Emails will be answered within 24-48 hours, thanks!