Commercial Photography Guidelines

Mass Audubon welcomes visitors to capture the beauty and wonder of our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries through photography.

We ask that all visitors help us fulfill our mission of protecting the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife by following our sanctuary guidelines as well as our photography guidelines.

Commercial Photography Requests

To use a wildlife sanctuary for commercial photography purposes, you must fill out a request form and speak with the sanctuary director or designated staff at least two weeks in advance. Commercial photography includes (but is not limited to):

• fashion shoots
• advertising
• films
• portrait photography (including wedding, engagement, family, prom, graduation, and other posed portraiture)

Fees

Commercial photography fee guidelines are generally based upon the total number of people on location. If you will need to use the nature center facilities for any purposes, an additional room rental fee will be applied.

Mass Audubon will require higher fees for large commercial projects that have bigger impacts on sanctuary operations, such as films, commercials and other high-intensity uses. Mass Audubon may occasionally reduce the fees for photography sessions that offer unique community benefits.

After contacting the sanctuary to see if your proposed date is available, please submit the commercial photography request form and agreed upon payment to the sanctuary at least 2 weeks prior to the proposed date.

Download Request Form

Photography Regulations

To ensure our wildlife sanctuaries stay protected for people and wildlife, we ask all photographers to follow these rules:

• Photographers must not interfere with the visiting experience of other guests at the sanctuary.
• Moving or removing plants or structures—such as benches, containers, displays, fences, etc.—is strictly prohibited.
• No photographer, assistant, or subject may step in flower beds, walls, benches, or places other than on designated paths and open grassy areas. Climbing or mounting equipment in trees or on buildings is not permitted.
• Balloons, kites, and flying lanterns are prohibited. Photographers should contact the Sanctuary Director or his or her designee to gain approval for any props proposed to be used. 
• All photo subjects must be fully clothed. Swimsuit or lingerie photo shoots are not permitted.
• All cords or wires must be placed and guarded in a way that doesn’t alter the pathways and put sanctuary visitors at risk.
• Littering is prohibited. Photographers and other visitors should carry out anything that they carry in.
• Launching, operating, or retrieving drones or other remote-controlled aerial vehicles for commercial or recreational photography is not permitted. Drone use is only permitted for approved research or specific Mass Audubon purposes.
• Photographers will be held accountable for their actions and those of clients, crewmembers, and subjects if they damage sanctuary facilities and property.