Film & Photography Policy

The museum allows researchers, media, and commercial filmmakers to photograph collections, preserved specimens, animals, exhibits and/or use the museum grounds as a backdrop only with prior permission from the museum. 

The following guidelines relate directly to filming and photography on any of the museum grounds, both interior and exterior, including all buildings and entrances, gardens, exhibitions, preserved and living collections, public spaces, meeting spaces, and administrative offices.

1. Filming and photography crews must reach out to museum staff in advance to schedule and coordinate film and photo shoots. Please use the form linked below to submit your request.
2. Depending on the nature of the request, crews may be given access when visitors are not present. If crews are given access when visitors are present, crews must take care to not disrupt visitors' experiences.
3. Filmmakers and photographers must sign an agreement covering terms, conditions, limitations, procedures, and intellectual property rights before photographing or filming.
4. Filmmakers and photographers must pay a fee in order to begin production. Pricing is available upon request.
5. The museum must receive credit or acknowledgement in the final piece.
6. Filming and photography crews must be accompanied by museum staff and equipment must be attended by a crew member at all times.
7. Carts and all filming and photography equipment must be kept a safe distance from works of art, preserved collections, collections cases, plants, and living collections.
8. All light and camera stands must either be secured or held by assistants so that they cannot tip over and cause damage.
9. Animals in the living collections as well as objects from the preserved collections and archives are sensitive to light. Flash photography and photography equipment is prohibited without express, written permission. Crews must limit the amount of time that filming and photography lights are used to the greatest extent possible.
10. The museum has items from other organizations and individuals on display through loans that are separate from the Academy's collections. These may have independent restrictions on photography and filming. When submitting a request, the filmmaker/photographer should be clear about which collection(s) and/or exhibit(s) they wish to film.
11. If filming occurs while visitors are present, electrical cords must be kept on the floor and near the perimeter of any space to the greatest extent possible. Cords must be taped down to prevent tripping.
12. All materials and equipment must be carried at or below waist level when moving through the museum. Large loads should be transported carefully using a cart.
13. Food and drink are restricted to designated areas within the museum and collections facility. No food or drink may be brought into exhibit spaces or collections storage areas.
14. Hair-styling and make-up products may only be applied in the museum’s restrooms and administrative offices.
15. Filming and photography crew members who violate these guidelines or conduct themselves in a reckless manner may be removed from the premises.