– Photography Policy – 

The Howard County Conservancy’s 232-acre farm provides a beautiful backdrop for photography. We welcome the opportunity to host photographers and their clients on the grounds, but we must ensure minimal interruption of Conservancy events and damage to sensitive areas on the property. We invest substantial funding and effort each year to ensure that the grounds and buildings are maintained. To aid the many requests for posed photo shoots, the Conservancy offers an Annual Photography Pass at a fee of $150 per calendar year (January 1 – December 31). 

For the purpose of this policy, a “professional photographer” is defined as someone who is being paid to take photographs. This includes amateurs acting in the role of professional photographer. Photography passes are not required by professional photographers who have been hired by a client to photograph a rental event at the Conservancy. Regardless of whether the group is using a professional photographer, groups of more than 10 people who are using the grounds for an organized event/photo session must have an outdoor area reservation with us ($250). This includes prom/homecoming/class photos. Contact our event manager to arrange this reservation. 

Conservancy events and rentals receive priority access and no other photo shoots may take place at those times. After purchasing an annual pass, photographers will receive access to a Conservancy Events Calendar. Photographers must review this calendar regularly and avoid photo shoots during Conservancy Events, including private rental events. Should you arrive for your photo shoot during a scheduled Conservancy event, you will not be permitted to proceed with your shoot. Occasionally, a Conservancy event may not be listed on the calendar but will receive priority, in which case, photographers may be asked to relocate to another area of the property. Please note that late afternoon and evening availability will be limited on the weekends during our peak rental season, April through November.  

We will not limit the number of photo shoots during non-Conservancy event times, so please be professional and courteous to others taking photos at the same time. Photographers may not host events or use areas of the Conservancy in a way that hinders other uses of the space, including for consecutive photo sessions, unless they have paid for a reservation with our event manager. There are many beautiful locations on the 232 preserved acres at the Howard County Conservancy for your photo shoot. 

New this year! The Howard County Conservancy is piloting a one-day photography pass for 2026 and will re-evaluate the program at the end of the year. A one-day photography pass costs $50, and photographers must apply two to four weeks in advance for the day/time they wish to conduct a photography session. The request will not be approved if it interferes or potentially interferes with any private rentals, public programs, or Conservancy events scheduled for that time. The photographer will be notified if the request is denied, and alternative dates/times will be suggested.

If the request is approved, the photographer will receive a link to pay for the pass. The photography session will not be scheduled at the Conservancy unless payment is received by the due date noted on the payment form, and photographers must pick up their pass on the day for which it is issued. 

Please keep in mind that there are many beautiful covered areas on the grounds: Montjoy Barn, the farmhouse porch, and the deck, side porch, and patio of the education building. However, if inclement weather prohibits photography on the scheduled date, the photographer may contact the Conservancy immediately after the date has passed to request a rescheduled session. Please note that the rescheduled date must fall within the same calendar year, and the Conservancy cannot guarantee that it will be able to reschedule the pass. Photographers may request a donation receipt if they are unable to reschedule their unused one-day pass. 

Please note that all fees collected from photography passes support the upkeep of our 232 acres and are non-refundable. Additionally, photographers MUST abide by the Site Rules & Regulations listed below, and the content of all photo sessions must be consistent with our family-friendly location.  Any photo shoots that staff deem inappropriate will be asked to leave the grounds; the photography pass will be revoked; and fees will NOT be refunded.