Planting Fields Arboretum
Photo Permit

Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay is one of my favourite locations on Long Island: formal gardens, historic buildings, and in summer a flower arch that photographs beautifully for engagement sessions.

It is also one of the most rule-bound locations I shoot, and the rules change. Knowing them before the day is the difference between a session that uses its full window and one that spends twenty minutes being redirected.

What the permit costs

Engagement, family, and sweet sixteen sessions are $100. Wedding photography is $250.

The Camellia Greenhouse is a separate $250 permit. It is extremely limited and must be approved in advance by the park — it is not something that can be added on the day, and it is worth deciding early whether you want it.

The rules that catch couples out

Sessions are capped at ninety minutes. That is the single most important number on this page, and it is shorter than most couples assume when they picture wandering a garden.

There is an $8 vehicle fee in season, separate from the permit itself.

As of 2026 the Piet Oudolf Garden is off limits for photography, with the Rose Arbor permitted instead. This is exactly the kind of change that turns up on the day if nobody checked, and it is why permit rules are worth confirming directly with the park rather than trusting a blog post — including this one.

Making ninety minutes count

Ninety minutes across a property this size means choosing two or three settings and committing to them. Walking the gardens looking for something better is how the window disappears.

If you want an outfit change, understand that it realistically costs around twenty-five minutes once you include the walk to the car and back. On a ninety-minute permit that is more than a quarter of your time, and it is usually better spent shooting one look properly.

Light in the gardens is best late in the day; midday sun through open planting is harsh and unflattering. Booking the last permit slot of the day, where available, is worth more than any single location choice.

Frequently Asked

How much is a photo permit at Planting Fields Arboretum?

Engagement, family, and sweet sixteen sessions are $100. Wedding photography is $250. The Camellia Greenhouse requires a separate $250 permit that is extremely limited and must be approved in advance by the park. There is also an $8 vehicle fee in season. Fees are set by the park and can change, so confirm current pricing directly.

How long can a photo session last at Planting Fields Arboretum?

Sessions are capped at ninety minutes. That is shorter than most couples expect for a property of this size, so choosing two or three settings in advance rather than exploring on the day is what makes the window work.

Which gardens are off limits at Planting Fields Arboretum?

As of 2026 the Piet Oudolf Garden is off limits for photography, with the Rose Arbor permitted instead. Permit rules at Planting Fields change from season to season, so the current list should always be confirmed with the park directly before a session.

Is the Camellia Greenhouse worth the extra permit at Planting Fields?

The Camellia Greenhouse is a separate $250 permit, is extremely limited, and must be approved in advance by the park. It cannot be added on the day. Whether it is worth it depends on the look you want, but the decision has to be made early rather than during the session.

When is the best time of day to photograph at Planting Fields Arboretum?

Late in the day. Midday sun through open garden planting is harsh and unflattering, while the last light of the afternoon suits the gardens and the historic buildings. Where a later permit slot is available it is worth more than any particular location within the grounds.

Related: Sands Point Preserve engagement photos · Oyster Bay wedding photography · more photo locations across NJ, Long Island and Brooklyn · Long Island wedding photography.