Film and Photography

Visitors to the Deering Estate are welcome to take souvenir snapshots or souvenir videos on the main grounds and inside of the house for personal use. Souvenir snapshots do NOT permit any kind of equipment, accessories, outfit changes, or props.

For the benefit of other visitors and to protect our sensitive collections Flash photography and videography with lights are not permitted inside of the historic houses – Stone House, Richmond Cottage, Carriage House, Power House and Pump House.

Portrait style Film and Photography is strictly prohibited inside the historic houses. All individuals or groups who have a photographer and/or videographer (amateur, professional, semi-pro, student, paid or unpaid) using Deering Estate for a back drop or posed portraiture back drop require a Deering Estate Film and Photography permit.

Deering Estate reserves the right to further define souvenir snapshots and what requires a Film and Photography Permit.

Small Film and Photography Permit (Review What are the Deering Estate Film and Photography Rules? dropdown below before purchasing)

A Small Film and Photography permit provides admission for up to seven (7) people, including all cast, crew, personnel and subjects being photographed and/or filmed (whether your photographer and/or videographer is amateur, professional, semi-pro, student, paid or unpaid). This permit is valid for one group only, and all members of the group must check in at the Main Gate Ticket Booth together at the same time. Groups of 4 or more additionally require a permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment. No support vehicles or set up are permitted on the property, and no spaces or areas are reserved for exclusive use. Other guest activities may be happening on the grounds nearby at the same time as your Small Film & Photography shoot.  Small Film & Photography permits do not allow vehicles onto the premise, and all equipment must be handheld & carried. Designated photographer must wear provided wrist band at all times. Permit fees are non-refundable. No refunds, no exchanges/date changes, & NO RAINCHECKS.

• 10am – 5pm (gates close 4pm): $150.00 plus tax (Deering Estate Foundation Members receive 25% off Small Film & Photography, 10am-4pm visits only, when paying at the Main Gate Ticket Booth the day of your visit.)
• For non-members purchasing online, it is recommended to purchase your Deering Estate Small Film & Photography permit NO EARLIER THAN 3 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT to give you time to review the latest weather forecast. No refunds, no exchanges/date changes, & NO RAINCHECKS.
• Small Film and Photography Permit group wanting to visit during normal operating house (between 10am and 5pm; gates close at 4pm) can purchase their Deering Estate Small Film and Photography Permit online by clicking here. This visit does not need to be scheduled with the Special Events Office.
• Before/After Hours option: $450.00 for 2 hours. Before/After hours requires scheduling through the Special Events Office (Contact Us below)
• Small Film and Photography Permit group wanting to visit Deering Estate before/after hours require approval & scheduling through the Special Events Office; please submit a form below.
• Groups of 4 or more additionally require a permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment.

Medium Film and Photography Permit

A Medium Film and Photography permit provides admission for up to fifteen (15) people, including all cast, crew, personnel and subjects being photographed and/or filmed (whether your photographer and/or videographer is amateur, professional, semi-pro, student, paid or unpaid). One outdoor space may be used and up to one (1) support vehicles is permitted on property in an approved area. An additional permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment is required.

• 10am – 5pm: $1,500.00 plus tax
• Additional AM/PM Hours: $200/hour
• Additional fees may apply to accommodate the needs of the film or photography shoot.
• Medium Film and Photography Permit require approval & scheduling through the Special Events Office; please submit a form below.

Large Film and Photography Permit

A Large Film and Photography permit provides admission for up to thirty (30) people, including all cast, crew, personnel and subjects being photographed and/or filmed (whether your photographer and/or videographer is amateur, professional, semi-pro, student, paid or unpaid). One outdoor space may be used and up to one (2) support vehicles is permitted on property in an approved area. An additional permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment is required.

•  10am – 5pm: $2,500.00 plus tax
• Additional AM/PM Hours: $300/hour
• Additional fees may apply to accommodate the needs of the film or photography shoot.
• Large Film and Photography Permit require approval & scheduling through the Special Events Office; please submit a form below.

Larger still photography and filming permits than what is defined above require approval and will be approved on a case by case basis after submitting detailed request in writing. Approvals may require additional rental or staffing fees.

Medium or Large Film and Photography shoots permits (or Small permit requesting before/after hours) require approval & scheduling through the Special Events Office; please submit a form below.

Deering Estate Permits for Small Film and Photography* shoots for between 10am and 5pm (gates close at 4pm) can be purchased online by clicking here.  If purchasing online, it is recommended to purchase your Deering Estate Small Film & Photography permit NO EARLIER THAN 3 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT to give you time to review the latest weather forecast. Deering Estate Foundation Members receive 25% off Small Film & Photography (between 10am-4pm) when paying at the Main Gate Ticket Booth the day of your visit. Permit fees are non-refundable. No refunds, no exchanges/date changes, & NO RAINCHECKS.

*Groups of 4 or more people, including all cast, crew, personnel, and subjects being photographed and/or filmed (whether your photographer and/or videographer is amateur, professional, semi-pro, student, paid or unpaid) will require an additional permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment.

For Medium and Large Film and Photography shoots (or Small permits requesting before/after hours) require approval & scheduling through the Special Events Office; please submit a form below.

Small Film and Photography Permit Rules

• Film and Photography is permitted in outdoor areas only; NO Small Film or Photography is permitted inside the Deering Estate Historic Houses – no exceptions. Props and equipment must remain with you at all times including camera equipment, changes of clothes, props, and bags. Deering Estate is not responsible for any items lost, stolen or damaged.
• No support vehicles permitted on the property.
• All equipment must be handheld and carried.
• Areas and spaces are not reserved for exclusive use.
• Other guest activities may be happening on the grounds nearby at the same time as your Small Film & Photography shoot.
• Film and Photography must not block stairways, paths, restrooms entrances or exits from use. There are no dressing facilities available. Obstruction of public restrooms from use is not permitted.
• No swimsuit, lingerie or any revealing clothing are permitted for photography on premises.
• Buildings, furnishings, fixtures, plants and trees including sea grass are not props and should not touched or altered. Trimming, cutting or picking flowers, breaking tree branches hanging or attaching props or décor items to fixtures, trees or plants is not allowed. Tree climbing is not permitted. Wildlife may not be touched, disturbed or relocated.
• Items posing a threat to our natural environment or wildlife including but not limited to confetti (nor eco-confetti), balloons, drones, foggers / smoke makers, fireworks or cold spark machines, sparklers of any type (open flame prohibited), and rice or birdseed throwing are not permitted at Deering Estate.
• Drones are not permitted; the operation or controlling of drone flights above and around Deering Estate airspace is strictly prohibited.
• *Note: Photographers using the Estate as the subject for scenic, fine art or commercial film or photography are required to credit all work that is exhibited or reproduced elsewhere, as such: “The Deering Estate.”
• Please note, certain areas of the estate may be closed or under construction with or without notice.
• It is recommended to purchase your Deering Estate Small Film & Photography permit NO EARLIER THAN 3 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT to give you time to review the latest weather forecast.
• Permit fees are non-refundable. No refunds, no exchanges/date changes, & NO RAINCHECKS.
• Guests found to be in violation of rules will be asked to leave the premise without refund.

Medium & Large Photography and Filming Permits Rules

• Medium & Large Photography and Filming Permits require approval and will be approved on a case by case basis after submitting detailed request in writing. Approvals may require additional rental or staffing fees.
• Permit fees are non-refundable and must be paid in advance for Medium & Large Permits. To request a reservation for a Medium or Large option, contact the Special Events Coordinator by completing the form below.

Individuals filming, taking photos, or videotaping while using a hand-held camera, one camera on one tripod (except for such use on public transit and public transit platforms), handheld props and/or hand-held equipment with a cast, crew, and group size of 3 or less people,  do not require a film permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment, however they will still need to obtain a Small Film and Photography Permit from the Deering Estate. There are additional exceptions to who needs a permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment which are located at http://www.filmiami.org/permit_who.asp. To sum it up, there is no longer a distinction between whether the production is for “commercial” or “non-commercial” purposes. Productions will need a film and photography permit based on impact to the general public. Groups of 4 or more people require a permit from the Office of Film and Entertainment.

You can apply for a permit on the Office of Film and Entertainment website at the link below. There is a $100 permit application fee which is good for 28 days at as many locations as you would like within the jurisdiction of the Office of Film and Entertainment. New locations can be added to the permit during the duration of the 28 days.

• Apply for a permit: http://filmiami.org/permits.asp

• Apply for a permit: http://filmiami.org/permits.asp
• Permitting Information Center: http://filmiami.org/permit_guide2020.asp
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): http://filmiami.org/permit_guide2020.asp
• Information required to apply for a permit: http://www.filmiami.org/permit_what.asp
• Insurance Requirement information: http://www.filmiami.org/permit_COI.asp
• Description of scene form: http://www.filmiami.org/2020/description-of-scene.pdf
• How to tutorial Videos: Apply for a permit: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eax_4t3M0Sw
• Add a Location: https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfnDm45YK
• Determine jurisdiction: https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfnDm45YK