Photography and Filming AT Vizcaya

a picture-perfect Location

Vizcaya’s enchanting gardens, vine-covered gazebos, water-front terraces, and impressive architecture offers a memorable and intimate backdrop for photography and filming.

Learn more about each permit option:

Not sure which is right for you? Check out the guide by clicking below.

PERMIT OVERVIEW

 

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Love young girl in a yellow dress poses for her quince photos in the Tea House at Vizcaya. Photo by Sunlife Photography
Photo by Sunlife Photography

DAYTIME photo permits

Photo by Michael Reyes

A photography permit covers specific photography sessions and includes any of the following situations, or any combination thereof:

  • Anyone having a portrait taken at Vizcaya, including those celebrating their Quinceañera, marriage, engagement, proposals, birthday, communion, pregnancy, graduation, or another special occasion.
  • A session where a photographer (amateur, student or professional) has a subject(s) posing for a portrait with Vizcaya as the backdrop.
  • Any visit to Vizcaya involving photography, where the main purpose is portrait or occasion photography, rather than a recreational visit to the House and Gardens.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY PERMIT PRICE | Week day: $250 + tax. & Weekend: $350 + tax. 

Photographers and their clients gain access to the gardens on a day that the museum is also open to the public. Photography groups must yield to visitors and never block paths, gates, or walkways. Reservations must be purchased online. Permits are for gardens only and don’t include access to the Main House. 

PREMIUM SUNRISE PERMIT PRICE | $450 + tax.

Premium Sunrise Photography experiences can be requested for a date of your choice. This permit allows nearly private access to the gardens from 7:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. when we open to the public. Date inquiries can be made by emailing us at vizcayainformation@vizcaya.org. All Rules and Regulations still apply. Groups of 5 or less per permit. (This permit is for personal portrait photography only, not for commercial use. Commercial permits can be found on this page below.)

PREMIUM INDOOR PERMIT PRICE  | $750 + tax.

For the first time photographers and their clients gain access to select areas of the Main House, which include the Main Stairs, Courtyard, Entrance Loggia, East Loggia, and Enclosed Loggia. The permit allows nearly private access to the gardens for sunrise photos from 7:00 a.m. and indoors from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Inquiries can be made by emailing vizcayainformation@vizcaya.org. All Rules and Regulations still apply in addition to Main House rules. Groups of 5 or less per permit. (This permit is for personal portrait photography only, not for commercial use. Commercial permits can be found on this page below.)

For more information about Portrait Photography at Vizcaya, please email us at vizcayainformation@vizcaya.org. To review the refund policy, please click here.

Quinceañera Teen girl in red ball gown standing in a balcony
Photo by Sunlife Photography

Advanced reservation requires a non-refundable and non-transferrable deposit of $25 plus tax. The remaining fees of $225 plus tax for a week day permit or $325 plus tax for a weekend permit are paid day of at the Admissions booth. Upon entering, fees are non-refundable, and permits are issued “rain or shine”.

Additional guests must purchase their tickets separately upon arrival at Admissions. Only groups of 9 or less are permitted due to county restrictions.

It is important that you review our previous Portrait Still Photography Permit Rules and Regulations prior to your visit. While purchasing your reservation, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Rules and Regulations and that you have forwarded it to your photographer.

For more information about Portrait Photography at Vizcaya, please email us.

Reservations:

Reservations are available approximately 4-6 weeks in advance.

BUY PHOTO PERMIT

READ THE RULES

It is important that you review our Permit Rules and Regulations prior to your visit.

Read the Rules
OVERVIEW

While purchasing your reservation, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Rules and Regulations and that you have forwarded it to your photographer.

  • Wagons or any luggage or wheeled carriers are not permitted. Re-entry is temporarily permitted to allow access to vehicles on an as-needed basis. Individuals must inform Admissions of their intent to return.

For more information about  photo permits at Vizcaya, please call (305) 250-9133 or email us.

Couple on the stairs of the Garden Mound.
Couple on the stairs of the Garden Mound. Photo by Emma Anne Photo

Do I need a reservation?

You will need to make a reservation online through our website. This is a $25 plus tax non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. The rest of the fees are paid on-site at Admissions on the day of your photo shoot. We do accept walk-ins, however, you will still be asked to purchase the initial payment online.

Why can’t I bring a wagon/cart/makeup case on wheels?

We do not allow wheeled carriers because it reduces the amount of damage done to the property. 

Do I need to wear a mask for my pictures?

No. We follow the County recommendations and currently masks are not required. 

I don’t see my future date on the calendar. When can I purchase my reservation?

We open reservations approximately 4-6 weeks in advance. If it is more than 4-6 weeks away, it is likely that the dates have not been made available yet.

Can I come for just one hour and pay a different rate?

Our Portrait Photography Permits are not timed so that you can take as much time as you need. The rate is the same whether you come for one hour or the entire day.

Can I also film with the same permit?

No, filming would require a different permit. Currently we only have one filming permit option, which starts at $20,000 + tax. For more information about filming, scroll down on this page to the Movie, Television and Video Filming section.

What if I have more or less than 5 people in my party?

The Portrait Photography Permit covers up to 5 people (including your photographer, makeup artists, and any assistants). Any less than 5 people and the fee remains the same for the permit. Any more than 5 people and you will be asked to pay the General Admission rates for each additional person.

What form of payment do you accept?

Currently we accept credit card payments for online purchases only.

What type of props are allowed on the grounds?

We get all sorts of requests so it’s really best if you email us if you have any unusual props that you aren’t sure about. Remember that we are also open to the public, so we only allow things that are not going to be dangerous or disruptive to other guests.

A PHOTOGRAPHY PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF VISITORS MEET 2 OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

  • INTENT: If the purpose of your visit is to use Vizcaya as a backdrop for photos.
  • A PHOTOGRAPHER: Either amateur or professional. Someone (or several) who are the designated photographer(s) within your party.
  • PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES: Lights, reflectors, camera lenses, tripods.
  • PROPS & MAKEUP: Flowers (real or artificial), parasols, posters, bags or luggage that contain props, makeup cases.
  • A CHANGE OF CLOTHES: Changing in or out of any additional outfits other than a sweater or jacket to go over an existing outfit.
  • SPECIAL OCCASION OUTFIT/COSTUME: Arrive wearing anything other than tourist-style casual clothing to include: matching outfits (color, pattern, style, or otherwise), tuxedo or suit, bridal gowns, formal attire (of any global culture), cocktail dresses, fur coats, bathing suit (top, bottom, or both), or costumes (such as carnival attire, cos play, etc.).

Vizcaya staff reserve the right to determine when an individual/party meets the following requirements for purchasing a photography permit and may deny entry to the estate if a permit is not available or acquired.

In the event the above are concealed upon entry and discovered later during the visit, the entire party will be asked to leave without refund.

Commercial Still photography

video camera

Commercial Still Photography includes, but is not limited to, still photography shoots for commercial products, services or entities.

If filming also occurs during the commercial still photography shoot for any purpose, a Filming Permit is required.

Commercial Still Photography Day Rate (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

  • Small-scale Commercial Still Photography (up to 20 talent/crew & limited to no more than 1 trailer/related vehicle): $3,500 + tax
  • Medium-scale Commercial Still Photography (up to 40 talent/crew & limited to no more than 2 trailers/related vehicles): $6,000 + tax
  • Large-scale Commercial Still Photography (up to 60 talent/crew & limited to no more than 3 trailers/related vehicles): $9,000 + tax
  • Extra Large-scale Commercial Still Photography (up to 80 talent/crew & limited to no more than 4 trailers/related vehicles): $12,000 + tax

There may be additional costs for security, staffing, prop requests or other items depending on the scope of the proposal.

Commercial Still Photography (any size)

  • Each additional hour between 6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: $1,000 + tax

Fees are taxable and non-refundable. All fees must be paid at least one day prior to arrival. Both checks and credit cards are accepted.

Fees subject to change.

Certificate of Insurance

We require a Certificate of Insurance for Public Liability Insurance in the minimum amount of $1 million combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage, naming Miami-Dade County and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc., 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33129, as additionally insured. Please fax this documentation to 305-285-2004 or email to your booking contact.

Commercial Film and Photography Permit Rules and Regulations

Review, sign and return the Commercial Film and Photography Permit Rules and Regulations.

Marine Garden reflecting pool
Click for Permit Rules
The North side of Vizcaya's Main House, which sits directly across from the Orchidarium. Photo shows the steps and balcony with three closed glass doors that lead to the basement.

To coordinate your shoot, please fill out the form below. You will be contacted regarding the availability on your requested date. Your request is not confirmed until all required documents and payments are received and Vizcaya staff confirms the date in writing.

Vizcaya reserves the right to refuse any photography request. Photography clients are subject to all rules, regulations and guidelines of Vizcya Museum and Gardens and may be asked to leave at any time without refund of fees if client is in violation.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Movie, Television and Video Filming

clap board roadside

Filming of any kind including for commercial products or entities includes, but is not limited to, movies, television, videos, social media and other motion-media require a commerical filming permit.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and an accredited museum open to the public. Therefore, there is limited availability for filming at the estate, and requests must be received a minimum of 30 days in advance.

Restoration work is ongoing at Vizcaya and may coincide with your project.

Filming is permitted outside only in the estate’s gardens and grounds and on the terraces surrounding the Main House.

Filming requires a detailed written request a minimum of 30 days in advance. Requests are approved on a case-by-case basis.

Fees

  • Commercial Film Day Rate (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)    $25,000 + tax.
  • Each additional hour between 6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.    $2,000 + tax.

There may be additional costs for security, staffing or other items depending on the scope of the proposal.

Fees subject to change.

Certificate of Insurance for Public Liability Insurance

Vizcaya requires a Certificate of Insurance for Public Liability Insurance in the minimum amount of $1 million combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage, naming Miami-Dade County and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc., 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33129, as additionally insured.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance

Vizcaya requires Worker’s Compensation Insurance for all employees of the Producer as required by Florida Statutes 440. A waiver of subrogation must be included in favor of VMGTI and Miami-Dade County as respect to this coverage.

Automobile Liability Insurance

Vizcaya requires Automobile Liability Insurance covering all owned, non-owned and hired vehicles used in connection with the work, in an amount not less than $300,000 combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage.

Commercial Film and Photography Permit Rules and Regulations

Review, sign and return the Commercial Film and Photography Permit Rules and Regulations.

View from the Secret Garden through the archway to the Gazebo.
Oak trees on the Garden Mound

Vizcaya has long been recognized as an ideal setting for film shoots. The estate provides a diversity of settings that evoke the glamour of the Jazz Age, the history of the Mediterranean and the passion of the tropics.

Requests in writing must be made a minimum of 30 days in advance and are approved on a case-by-case basis. Requests must include the following information:

  1. Dates and times requested for filming.
  2. Contact name, email and cell phone number.
  3. Locations of estate requested for filming.
  4. Summary of content of film project.
  5. Number of crew and talent.
  6. Description of equipment, lighting, props, etc.
  7. Electrical needs.
  8. Number and description of vehicles.
  9. Film project’s plan for catering.
  10. Any use of tents.
  11. Will client provide their own security? If so, which firm and how many?
  12. Are any documents or location releases required to be signed? If so, documents must be included in the written request.

Written requests and questions should be emailed to facility.rentals@vizcaya.org.

Vizcaya reserves the right to refuse any filming request. Film clients are subject to all rules, regulations and guidelines of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and may be asked to leave at any time without refund of fees if client is in violation.