Photography 

Get creative at Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre for your next project. The lavish interior of the house and surrounding Heritage Gardens will help you create artistic, vintage-inspired, and unique images of your own. The museum and its grounds are your perfect backdrop for all sorts of photos, from weddings and engagements to Christmas photos, and everything in between.

We offer competitive pricing and a variety of historic backdrops. For inquiries and to arrange a complimentary site visit, please get in touch with us at info@dalnavertmuseum.ca or fill out the form at the bottom of this page. We work Wednesday-Sunday will process booking requests in a timely manner within our work week.

 

Our spaces

Please note: The museum is not a stagnant place. The exact artifacts on display and their locations may have changed since these photos were taken. In particular, mannequins and the dining room change multiple times a year. The museum also decorates for both Halloween and Christmas, with Halloween decorations up for all of October and Christmas decorations (including Christmas tree in the parlour) up from mid-November through mid-January.

We encourage you to arrange a complimentary site visit to see what everything looks like now and ensure the suitability of our space.

 

Rates

Subject to change.

  • Within museum business hours but outside of our open hours (Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-12pm Fall/Spring/Winter; Wednesday-Sunday, 4pm-5pm year-round), base rate: $50/hour

  • During open hours (Wednesday-Sunday, 12pm-4pm (Fall/Spring/Winter) or 10am-4pm (Summer)), base rate: $100/hour

  • Collections management fee, if photoshoot requires moving of artifacts: To be determined depending on the nature of the shoot

  • Outside of museum business hours (Mondays and Tuesdays, any day before 9am or after 5pm): Additional $25 per hour staffing charge, minimum 3 hours

All rates are subject to GST. Museum members receive 20% off photography fees. This discount does not apply to staffing charge.

 

Photography Booking Form

 

Terms

Dalnavert features an extensive collection of items from the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods. Please be mindful of the artifacts when taking photos on the grounds and in the house. 

We strongly encourage you to arrange a complimentary walkthrough in advance of your shoot to ensure the suitability of the space. The museum will limit or deny requests that could pose a risk to the collection. Make sure you discuss your expectations in detail with one of our staff before coming for a photoshoot so we can make every effort to support your vision while also protecting our collection.

If you are bringing children to your photo shoot, please allow one of our staff or volunteers to review museum practices with them before you begin your session. Children attending photo shoots must be supervised at all times.

The following guidelines set the parameters within which all photographic shoots held at Dalnavert Museum must be conducted:

  • Only designated FDM staff will be permitted to touch museum artifacts;

  • Designated FDM staff will be consulted at all times when the Museum or grounds are used in a manner that poses any risk or damage to the Museum, any of its contents, or the grounds, or of any activity, including but not limited to running and jumping, that might pose a risk or damage to Museum structure and contents;

  • Food and drinks are prohibited within the historic house;

  • Smoking, including vaping, shall not be permitted anywhere in the Museum or on the grounds;

  • All filming, lighting, cases, cables, and other equipment shall be kept off fragile surfaces to the satisfaction of FDM staff on duty;

  • All lighting devices will be positioned a safe distance from artifacts and historic surfaces as determined by designated FDM staff, and will be switched off when not in use;

  • Flash photography shall be kept to a minimum;

  • Potentially damaging aspects of the models’ costumes and/or activities will be disclosed to designate FDM staff prior to the shoot day. Renter(s) must not wear clothing that will leave behind remnants, such as glitter.  Specific attention will be paid to footwear (e.g. high heeled shoes) and other sharp or abrasive components. If any aspects of the model’s/participant’s costumes or clothing are determined to be damaging or potentially damaging, designated FDM staff may request a change or suggest an alternative protective measure;

  • Non-human animals, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in the interior at any time.

 

General Photo Policy

Museum guests are welcome to take photos of the house during their tour for non-commercial purposes, as long as it doesn't disrupt their tour group or guide. Please ask before taking photos of your tour guide or other DMVC volunteers and staff. Flash photography is not permitted outside of limited, expressly-approved use within photography bookings.

Due to limited space within the house and the exposed display of artifacts, selfie sticks are not permitted inside the home. Please feel free to take selfies outside the home or in the Heritage Garden.

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