Admissions - Programs - Events
Crane Estate Portrait Photo Permit
Membership required
The Crane Estate is owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations, a member-supported nonprofit conservation organization that preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts, and works to protect special places across the state.
A Trustees membership at the Family ($80) level or higher is required to shoot onsite. This membership may be held by the photographer or client.
Pricing:
- Booking Fee: $200 per 90 minute session
- Vendor Fee: $850 for 5 pack (90 mins) sessions
Vendor Fee Premium: $1500 for 10 pack (90 mins) sessions
Sessions may be booked 7 days a week and are subject to availability.
Bulk sessions expire one year after purchase. Guests purchasing bulk sessions will be emailed upon purchase with further instructions.
We are pleased that you are considering our property for your photoshoot. Castle Hill and Crane Beach may be used as sites for outdoor portrait photography. The Crane Estate defines portrait photography as all engagement, family, maternity, prom, graduation, and any other posed portraiture of individuals by professional photographers. However, wedding, and bridal photography is not allowed at Castle Hill. Photographs may not be commercial in nature or resold for commercial purposes.
To provide the best possible experience and avoid conflicts with other visitors to the property, the following guidelines must be followed:
- No more than 10 people (not including the photographer) may attend the photography session.
- On the day of your appointment, free admission will be granted for all photographers, subjects and guests associated with the shoot. No additional guests or attendees will be permitted. Upon arrival, all portrait photographers must check in at the admission booth. Photographers will be required to show proof of booking upon arrival.
- The User is not entitled to exclusive use of the property. The grounds will remain open to the public. To fulfill our mission regarding a positive visitor experience, the Crane Estate prohibits photographers from blocking off a location or scheduling mini sessions (sessions which include multiple clients).
- Considerations for public safety and the protection of the structural and natural resources at the Crane Estate take precedence over any of the User’s activities. Conduct which disturbs the tranquility of the property or its enjoyment by others is prohibited. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right to end the activity at any time.
- The Trustees reserves the right to monitor all the User’s activities and prohibit any use that it deems to conflict with the Crane Estate and/or The Trustees regulations, (https://tinyurl.com/craneregs), including but not limited to:
- Wedding/Bridal photography is prohibited at Castle Hill. This applies to anyone dressed in wedding attire. White dresses are included in "wedding attire".
- Nudity is prohibited.
- Clients should arrive ‘camera-ready’ as our limited restroom facilities cannot serve as a dressing room.
- No staging, pop-up dressing rooms, accessories, balloons, kites, flying lanterns, or other such props are allowed.
- All equipment used as part of the photo shoot must be hand-held; Carts, cases, and dollies are not permitted.
- Commercial or recreational use of drones is not allowed at Trustees properties unless it is for purposes deemed beneficial to The Trustees and approved in advance by the Director of the Crane Estate.
- Promotion of your brand using Crane Estate imagery is prohibited.
- The photographer, clients and guests shall park in the parking area designated for the location or locations selected. Parking anywhere but the designated area for the selected location is prohibited.
- Dogs are not permitted on the grounds of Castle Hill and are only permitted seasonally at Crane Beach under certain guidelines.
- User shall be responsible for all the actions and activities of their party: photographer, client, and guests. The User agrees to assume all liability for any property or personal damage resulting from their use of the property. The User shall hold the Trustees of Reservations harmless for any loss, injury, damage, or expense arising out of his use of the property.
- We permit one free rebooking due to inclement weather or other reason. A full refund, if requested, is possible up to 7 days before a shoot date.