New Orleans Photography Permits: Where You Need One (2026)
If you're paying a professional to photograph you in New Orleans, assume the location needs a permit. City Park, Audubon, the museums, the gardens and most hotels all charge for or approve professional sessions, and getting turned away on the day of your engagement or senior shoot is the worst way to find out.
After 30+ years photographing weddings, seniors and families across the city, here's the guide I wish every client had. Each location below links straight to the official permit page or contact, sorted by type.
A few ground rules before you book:
Personal vs. professional. Snapping photos on your phone is fine almost everywhere. The moment there's a hired photographer, pro gear or a paid session, most venues treat it as commercial.
Apply early. Many locations need 4–5 business days; popular spots fill weeks ahead in fall and spring.
Insurance. Several venues require a certificate of liability insurance naming them as additional insured. Your photographer should have this ready.
Policies change. Fees and rules below were checked in October 2026. Always confirm with the location before your session.
City-Wide Permits (Streets, Sidewalks and City Property)
The city requires a film permit for all commercial filming, and anything that blocks a street, uses parking or brings a crew needs city sign-off. The city's pages don't spell out the rules for small still-photo portrait sessions, so check with Film New Orleans if you're unsure.
Film New Orleans Film Permit
Who needs it: All productions and student films in Orleans Parish, including drone filming.
Cost: Free. Apply at least 4 days before shooting; certificate of insurance required.
Contact: 504-658-4355, filmneworleans@nola.gov. See also the city's film permit overview.
Park or Rec Center Use Permit
Covers: Events and weddings in city-run parks and NORD parks.
Cost: $50 processing deposit; weddings at Jackson Square or Armstrong Park run $250–$1,000 by guest count.
Contact: Parks & Parkways, 504-658-3201, ParksandParkways@nola.gov.
Parks and Public Green Spaces
City Park is the only major park with a simple, published portrait-session fee: $75 per session. The others either route you through an online request or treat photography as an event rental.
New Orleans City Park
Permit: Required for any commercial or professional shoot (bridal, family, senior) using more than a cell phone.
Cost: $75 per session, non-refundable; rain date within 30 days.
Apply: Photo Permit application (PDF) to permit@nocp.org, or in person at the Tolmas Visitor Center, Wed–Sun 10–4. 504-482-4888.
Off-limits: Carousel Gardens, Storyland, Popp Fountain, Tad Gormley Stadium and City Putt.
Audubon Park, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and The Fly
Permit: Yes, through Audubon Nature Institute.
Cost: Varies by request (photographer permits have been reported at $25–$50); commercial shoots need $1M liability insurance.
Apply: Online Photography and Film Request form, at least 5 business days ahead.
Jackson Square, Armstrong Park and Lafayette Square
Permit: Yes for filming and events; managed by Parks & Parkways.
Cost: Filming $1,500 for up to 4 hours; weddings $250–$1,000.
Contact: 504-658-3201, ParksandParkways@nola.gov.
Washington Square, Coliseum Square and Other City Parks
Cost: Filming $1,250 for up to 4 hours; neighborhood park events $150.
Neutral grounds (St. Charles, Esplanade, etc.): filming $850 for up to 4 hours.
NORD parks and rec centers: fees vary; call NORD at 504-658-3080.
Crescent Park and Lafitte Greenway
Crescent Park: Run by the French Market Corporation; no published photo fee. Ask before booking.
Lafitte Greenway: No published photo permit. Contact Friends of Lafitte Greenway for larger shoots.
My take: For a classic portrait session, City Park's $75 permit is the best value in town. For Jackson Square, a quick portrait on the public walkways is common, but anything with a crew, lighting or a ceremony needs Parks & Parkways.
Gardens, Museums and Historic Sites
NOMA's Sculpture Garden has the clearest published rules: $150 for two hours, booked online at least 48 hours ahead. Cemeteries are the strictest; most are effectively closed to portrait sessions.
NOMA Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Portico and Front Steps
Permit: Yes; not covered by a City Park permit.
Cost: $150 for 2 hours, $25 per extra hour; max 5 people including crew. Indoor shoots are $600 per hour, outside museum hours only.
Apply: Online permit form, 48+ hours ahead; photopermits@noma.org. No permits on Mondays or after 3 pm on weekends.
New Orleans Botanical Garden
Inside City Park. The $75 park permit doesn't say whether it includes the garden, so call City Park permitting at 504-482-4888.
Longue Vue House and Gardens
Private museum and gardens with no published photo fee. Contact Longue Vue directly.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park (Chalmette Battlefield, Barataria Preserve)
Permit: "Maybe," per the park. Federal rules generally require one only when a shoot uses props or sets, models, or closed areas.
Apply: NPS filming application (PDF); park office 504-589-3882.
Cemeteries
City-owned (Carrollton No. 1, St. Mary's, Lafayette No. 2, Valence): $2,500 location fee plus $2,500 deposit and a Film New Orleans permit, through the Division of Cemeteries.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and Holt Cemetery: closed to filming.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1: Archdiocese-owned; visitors only with a licensed tour since 2015.
My take: NOMA's steps and the Sculpture Garden are worth the $150 for engagement and senior sessions. Skip the cemeteries for portraits unless you have written permission in hand.
Hotels
Hotels are private property: a professional shoot in a lobby, courtyard or rooftop needs the hotel's permission, even if you're a guest. Few publish a policy, so email the hotel's marketing or events team a week or more ahead.
Virgin Hotels New Orleans — the only one with a published policy: 24+ hours' notice, a signed location agreement and a location fee starting at $300. Email marketing.neworleans@virginhotels.com.
The Roosevelt — the holiday lobby is one of the city's most-photographed spots and gets crowded on weekends.
Hotel Monteleone — the Carousel Bar and lobby are popular backdrops.
The Ritz-Carlton, Royal Sonesta, Windsor Court and The Pontchartrain — contact each hotel's events office.
Tip: If your wedding or event is booked at the hotel, your shoot is usually covered under that contract. Confirm with your coordinator which spaces are included.
Event Venues, Campuses and Attractions
These are private or institutional properties, so permission comes from the owner, not the city.
Audubon Zoo, Aquarium and Insectarium — online request 5+ business days ahead; $1M insurance naming Audubon.
Mardi Gras World — no published photo policy; use their contact page.
Tulane University — popular for cap-and-gown portraits; ask Campus Services at 504-865-5441.
LSU Health Sciences Center — has its own film and photo permit guidelines.
Loyola University New Orleans — no published policy; ask the university's marketing office.
Nearby Parishes and State Parks
Louisiana State Parks (Fontainebleau, Bayou Segnette, Fairview-Riverside) — everyday portraits during regular hours fall under separate portrait conditions; commercial stills start at $300/day. Reserve facilities at ReserveLaStateParks.com or 877-677-7652.
Lafreniere Park (Metairie) — no published photo permit; parish rules bar advertising or solicitation without authorization. Call 504-838-4389.
Let Your Photographer Handle the Paperwork
Permits are part of the job, not something you should have to chase. When you book a session with GK Photography, I help pick the right location for your story, secure the permit and work around the rain dates, so all you have to do is show up. Planning engagement photos, senior portraits or a branding shoot in New Orleans? Let's find your spot.
Call or text 504-957-8412 to commission GK — gkphotography.com
