With 12 display gardens, seasonal blooms, and historic architecture, the Garden at Elm Bank is a beautiful setting for your next photography session!
Private photography includes all who wish to use the Garden at Elm Bank as a backdrop or setting for their portrait or commercial photography—even if the photographer is not a professional. Session types include but are not limited to:
portrait shoots (engagements, graduations, seniors, families, etc.)
photography taken to be sold or exhibited as art
group and mini-sessions
marketing or stylized shoots
Private sessions must be reserved in advance and follow all guidelines and restrictions below.
Photography Bookings will resume when the Garden reopens on April 1, 2026. We do continue to host marketing and stylized shoots during the off-season by request. Please reach out using the form below.
Applies to private portrait sessions including, but not limited to, senior, engagement, headshots, family, and graduation shoots. A single session includes up to 4 people and is 90 minutes long. Reservation is required.
Session Fee: $85 each
Additional Guests or Photography Assistant: $14 per person
Additional 30 Minutes: $30 (up to 2.5 hours max)
Availability: During the operating hours of the Garden at Elm Bank. Cannot occur when private events are taking place on the property.
Last available booking time:
Monday-Thursday is 3 pm
Friday-Sunday is 2 pm
If you are looking to book a session longer than 90 minutes, you will need to move your start time forward.
Photographers looking to book mini-sessions (multiple consecutive client sessions scheduled by a single photographer within the same date), must book through our Group Bookings rate.
Applies to private photography bookings involving more than 10 total individuals, including photographers, assistants, clients, and rotating participants. A single session includes 10-20 people and is 4 hours long. Reservation is required.
Session Fee: $450
Session Time Block: 4 hours
Participant Limit: Up to 20 throughout the time block
Additional Participants: $14 per person
Availability: During the operating hours of the Garden at Elm Bank. Cannot occur when private events are taking place on the property. Reservation provides non-exclusive access to the Garden. Please keep areas open for others to enjoy.
Time Block Options (subject to availability):
Monday-Thursday
10am-2pm
11am-3pm
12pm-4pm
1pm-5pm
Friday-Sunday
10am-2pm
11am-3pm
12pm-4pm
Mini-sessions are defined as multiple consecutive client sessions scheduled by a single photographer within the same date and are not permitted under standard portrait session pricing.
Applies to afterhours sessions, custom engagement moments, or larger commercial activations. Sessions require separate approval and pricing.
Marketing & Stylized Sessions can include a content creation day, branding launch, clothing line, commercial use or any other session requiring large amounts of equipment and site use.
Please use the form below to reach out to us as we're happy to work with you on scheduling.
Applies to private portrait sessions including, but not limited to, senior, engagement, headshots, family, and graduation shoots. A single session includes up to 4 people and is 90 minutes long. Reservation is required.
Session Fee: $85 each
Additional Guests or Photography Assistant: $14 per person
Additional 30 Minutes: $30 (up to 2.5 hours max)
Availability: During the operating hours of the Garden at Elm Bank. Cannot occur when private events are taking place on the property.
Last available booking time:
Monday-Thursday is 3 pm
Friday-Sunday is 2 pm
If you are looking to book a session longer than 90 minutes, you will need to move your start time forward.
Photographers looking to book mini-sessions (multiple consecutive client sessions scheduled by a single photographer within the same date), must book through our Group Bookings rate.
Applies to private photography bookings involving more than 10 total individuals, including photographers, assistants, clients, and rotating participants. A single session includes 10-20 people and is 4 hours long. Reservation is required.
Session Fee: $450
Session Time Block: 4 hours
Participant Limit: Up to 20 throughout the time block
Additional Participants: $14 per person
Availability: During the operating hours of the Garden at Elm Bank. Cannot occur when private events are taking place on the property. Reservation provides non-exclusive access to the Garden. Please keep areas open for others to enjoy.
Time Block Options (subject to availability):
Monday-Thursday
10am-2pm
11am-3pm
12pm-4pm
1pm-5pm
Friday-Sunday
10am-2pm
11am-3pm
12pm-4pm
Mini-sessions are defined as multiple consecutive client sessions scheduled by a single photographer within the same date and are not permitted under standard portrait session pricing.
Applies to afterhours sessions, custom engagement moments, or larger commercial activations. Sessions require separate approval and pricing.
Marketing & Stylized Sessions can include a content creation day, branding launch, clothing line, commercial use or any other session requiring large amounts of equipment and site use.
Please use the form below to reach out to us as we're happy to work with you on scheduling.
Payment must be made two days prior to your session via your invoice. Please bring a copy of your invoice with you when paying onsite.
There is no penalty for cancellation or rescheduling before the date. In the case of inclement weather, we are happy to reschedule your session.
Thank you for your courtesy to Garden guests and our plantings. Please review all Garden Rules & Etiquette in advance.
Photographers, please take note:
Please help us in our work to keep the Garden at Elm Bank beautiful by staying on paths.
Refrain from climbing trees, stepping in gardens, or wading in pools.
Please be respectful of private events by not interrupting or taking photos while the garden space is in use.
Parties not in compliance will be asked to leave immediately.
Elopements, weddings, and vow renewals require a private event reservation. Please reach out to our events team for more information.
Balloons, pets, and props are not permitted.
Tenting, lighting tools, and large screens are not allowed on site unless permitted.
Sound instruments and music are not allowed in the Garden. Please keep the area peaceful for others to enjoy.
Drones or any other form of UAV are not permitted without prior written approval and will fall under a Stylized Session. Must submit a valid Certificate of Insurance (COI) no later than two (2) weeks prior to scheduled session, in accordance with MHS policy.
All fees from photo sessions directly support the mission of Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Photography sessions not abiding by any portion of this policy will be asked to leave the Garden. Thank you for choosing MHS's Garden at Elm Bank for your session!
©2026 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. All rights reserved.
