At the Tampa Museum of Art, our first responsibility is to protect and preserve every work of art on view and to respect the artists’ copyrights. These guidelines outline the conditions under which guests, journalists, and production crews may take photos or video within and around the Tampa Museum of Art.
1. Key Definitions
Key definitions that summarize the categories of photography and videography that take place at the Tampa Museum of Art.
| Type of Photography | What It Means | Typical Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Personal-Use | Photos or short videos taken by a visitor for personal memories or social media sharing; no money changes hands. The photos or videos may not be sold, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited. | Family and friends snapshots, selfies, and inspiration posts. |
| Press / Journalism | Editorial coverage created by accredited media for news or documentary purposes. | Online journalism, magazine or newspaper feature, TV news segment, and art critic review. |
| Non-Commercial Professional Session | A hired (or volunteer) photographer using professional-grade gear to capture portraits or content that are not used for advertising. | Professional headshots, graduation pics, engagements, family portraits, and corporate team or organization membership photos. |
| Commercial Photo / Video Shoot | Any production intended to market, advertise, sell, or otherwise generate profit. | Fashion campaign, product launch, film/TV scene, branded content, commercials, advertisements. |
2. Personal-Use Photography & Videography
- Hand-held equipment only: Cameras or phones weighing under 3 lbs.
- Equipment NOT allowed: Flash, external lights, selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, stands, drones, or other photography accessories.
- Where allowed: In most cases, photography is allowed in the permanent collection and the temporary exhibition galleries. Visitor Experience Representatives and posted signs will indicate if photography is not permitted in specific galleries. Please look for posted signs or ask a staff member for clarification.
- Respect others: Maintain a safe distance from the art and avoid blocking fellow visitors.
3. Press & Journalism
- Inside the Museum:
- Make an appointment with staff from the Marketing & Communications department. Email marketing@tampamuseum.org.
- A completed Photography & Videography Request Form must be submitted at least two weeks before your appointment day, allowing us to review and approve the equipment list, schedule a staff escort, and arrange any interviews. See Section 6 below for additional information about equipment types.
- Museum staff must escort the crew at all times. If we are unable to provide staff for your preferred date or time, the request will be declined.
- Outside the Museum: You are welcome to film on our first-floor terraces or plaza without an escort when no private event is underway. Spaces are first-come, first-served.
- Equipment and lighting: Must be listed on your request form and approved in advance. Some galleries prohibit the use of extra lights to protect sensitive artworks.
4. Non-Commercial Professional Sessions
- Not permitted inside exhibition galleries under any circumstances.
- Outdoor option: You may photograph on the first-floor terraces or plaza when no private event is in progress, first-come, first-served.
- Indoor option (atrium, grand stair, or second-floor terraces): A space rental agreement must be arranged through our Private Events office to reserve the spaces for a professional portrait session. Request details on private rentals.
- A completed Photography & Videography Request Form must be submitted at least two weeks before your scheduled rental, allowing us to review and approve the equipment list, and schedule a staff escort. See Section 6 below for additional information about equipment types.
5. Commercial Photo & Video Shoots
- Indoor and outdoor photo and video shoots always require both:
- A rental contract for the location, which must be arranged through our Private Events office. Request details on private rentals.
- A completed Photography & Videography Request Form must be submitted at least two weeks before your scheduled rental, allowing us to review and approve the equipment list and schedule a staff escort. See Section 6 below for additional information about equipment types.
- Museum staff must escort the crew at all times. If we are unable to provide staff for your preferred date or time, the request will be declined.
- You are responsible for obtaining copyright permissions and paying any associated fees for any protected artwork that appears in your images.
6. General Equipment Rules
The following rules apply to all uses beyond personal-use photography. For equipment rules related to personal-use photography, see Section 2 above.
- Tripods, monopods, light stands, reflectors, cables, drones, or any rigging that touches walls, floors, or display cases are prohibited unless expressly approved in writing via the Photography & Videography Request Form.
- Additional lighting may be limited or refused in sensitive galleries. Any approved lights must be weighted at the base and kept at least ten (10) feet from all artworks.
7. Copyright & Credit
The following rules apply to all uses beyond personal-use photography.
- You are responsible for obtaining copyright permissions and paying any associated fees for any protected artwork that appears in your images.
- If you have questions about which artworks may be subject to copyright restrictions, you can contact the Senior Registrar at curatorial@tampamuseum.org.
8. Enforcement & Courtesy
Museum staff may approach any guest or crew to verify intent, check equipment, or stop photography that violates these rules. The Tampa Museum of Art reserves the right to withdraw permission at any time to protect the art or ensure a pleasant visit for all guests.
Questions?
Email hello@tampamuseum.org or call 813.274.8130. Thank you for helping us safeguard the artwork and honor the artists who created it.