To balance everyone's experiences at 577 and ensure that you have a productive and meaningful photo session, all photography sessions MUST be scheduled in advance.

Golden Hour Photography Session Reservation process:

• At least two weeks prior to your desired date, submit your request to Danielle Marino, 577's Assistant Director of Education and Outreach, via this form. Or you can give her a call at 419-874-4174, ext. 120, or dmarino@577foundation.org.
• All sessions will be scheduled after 5:00 p.m.
• We will respond within 3 business days to schedule your date and process your payment. Your request is not confirmed until the application is completed, signed, and payment has been made.
• After you have paid the fee, you will receive a confirmation email. Please keep your confirmation email as proof of payment.
• Scheduling is subject to staff availability and event calendar.
• Once we have piloted and improved this program in 2023, you will be able to view open dates and make a request through the online reservation portal at 577foundation.org.

Unscheduled photographers and unauthorized groups will be asked to leave the grounds and instructed to schedule a session for a future date. While Photography Sessions occur outdoors after 577's closing time, these spaces are always shared. Community gardeners, independent pottery students, class participants, staff, and volunteers have permission to be at 577 after 5:00 p.m. They may be present during your session.

No ceremonies — including gender reveals, birthday parties, weddings, memorials, or the like — may occur during photography sessions. Performing a ceremony will result in immediate termination of the session with no refund of fees. 

577 reserves the right to halt any photography sessions deemed to be disruptive. The photography session guidelines must be followed in addition to the general visitor guidelines. 577 reserves the right to adjust these policies at any time, with or without notice, in the best interest of 577's mission and the community.

On the day of your session, please maintain the integrity of 577 by honoring these guidelines:

• Groups should check in at the Welcome Center at their designated start time. There are no refunds for late arrivals. No adjustments to session times will be made due to late arrivals on the day of the reservation.
• Please keep the confirmation email or payment receipt (as proof of payment), the group's personal items, and equipment with you at all times. If proof of purchase is not available or there is not a confirmed reservation request, your group may be asked to leave the property.
• 577 is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced property/items. Items left at 577 after the agreed-upon departure time may be disposed of by 577 Staff, including any props left behind. Please call as soon as possible to report missing items. Access will be granted the following day to retrieve items with prior permission.
• All groups must arrive camera-ready, as there are no dressing room facilities. Bathrooms may not be used to change outfits during the reservation. All photo subjects must be fully and appropriately clothed. Swimsuits, underwear, and boudoir photo shoots are not permitted.
• Groups are responsible for bringing a photographer. 577 does not provide photographers.
• Groups must set up their shoot in a manner that does not impact staff, volunteers, gardeners, or students who are using the grounds for 577's primary mission: classes, events, garden maintenance, or the like.
• Please be advised that some areas of 577 may not be accessible or available due to restoration, programs, event rentals, or unforeseen circumstances. 577 will provide notice as soon as possible if this were to occur.
• Photo sessions are not permitted in any building interior spaces including the Geodesic Biodome, Cottage, Log Home, Pottery Studio, Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop, and Virginia's House.
• You must have 577's written permission to use props in your photos. Furniture such as tables, chairs, or mirrors, environmentally unfriendly materials that may harm wildlife, or any unusual props that may be loud, dangerous, or disruptive to other visitors, are strictly prohibited. Balloons, glitter, confetti, rice, kites, flying lanterns, or any other materials that leave waste or residue are strictly prohibited.
• Take only photos, leave only footprints. Moving or removing potted plants or structures —such as benches, containers, displays, plant signs, fences, etc.—is strictly prohibited. Do not pick or harm plants or wildlife.
• No photographers, assistants, or subjects may step in plant beds, fountains, ponds, or places other than on designated paths. Climbing or mounting equipment in trees or on buildings or other structures is not permitted. Tripods must also stay on paths or on the lawn, do not place them in garden beds.
• Do not place equipment or subjects where they will block pathways or restrict visitor access. All cords or wires must be placed and guarded in a way that doesn’t alter the pathways or put 577 staff, volunteers, or visitors at risk. Any use of electrical equipment, including additional lighting, must be approved in advance of the shoot.
• Drone photography is prohibited in order to ensure 577 staff, volunteer, and visitors' safety and privacy.
• Vehicles may not be left in 577 parking lots past agreed-upon rental time.

I acknowledge that by reserving a Golden Hour Photography Session, I agree to follow the guidelines listed included in the packet. The Reservation Holder is responsible for their guests’ and contract service providers’ actions and enforcement of 577 policies. It is understood by the Reservation Holder that The 577 Foundation shall have the right to terminate any reservation without notice in the event of non-compliance with any 577 rules and regulations.. The Reservation Holder is responsible for their guests’ and contract service providers’ actions and enforcement of 577 policies. It is understood by the Reservation Holder that The 577 Foundation shall have the right to terminate any reservation without notice in the event of non-compliance with any 577 rules and regulations.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Reservation Holder shall indemnify defend and hold harmless The 577 Foundation, employees, and volunteers, from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys' fees, arising out of the acts or omissions of the Reservation Holder, provided that such claim, damage loss or expense is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or to injury to or destruction of property including loss of use resulting there from, but only to the extent caused in whole or in part by the acts or omissions of the Reservation Holder, its agents, guests, or anyone directly or indirectly invited by them or anyone for whose acts they may be liable, regardless of whether or not such claim damage, loss or expense is caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder. Such obligations shall not be construed to negate, abridge, or reduce other rights or obligations of indemnity which would otherwise exist as to a party or person described in this paragraph.