PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING

in the Botanic Garden incl. the Chinese Garden


Amateur Photography

Photographing and Filming for private, non-commercial purposes is permitted and free of charge in the Botanic Garden of the Ruhr-University Bochum as long as no professional effort and gear is involved (see "Professional Photography & Filming").


Professional Photography & Filming

As "professional shootings" we regard:
• all activities involving photography and/or filming carried out for the production of photos and/or film footage for marketing (print or internet) and/or for commercial purposes.
• all activities involving photography and/or filming which make use of artificial light sources which are separate from the camera (incl. reflectors).
• all activities involving photography and/or filming which are carried out by commercial photographers.

Please note: Professional shootings do not necessarily have to be commercial shootings. In any case, professional shootings require a written permission by the garden administration and are subject to a fee. The written permission has to be carried along on the day of the shooting and shown to garden staff upon request.


Rates for professional shootings

Non-commercial shootings up to a duration of 3 hours max.: 150,- €
Every additional hour of part thereof is charged at 50,- €.
• The photos/footage is not taken by a commercial photographer.
• The photos/footage is not used for marketing purposes in print or digitally (on the internet).

Commercial shootings up to a duration of 5 hours max.: 300,- €
• Every additional hour of part thereof is charged at 60,- €.
• Directly or indirectly, the images/footage is produced for commercial purposes by commercial photographers. This includes professional wedding photography, corporate commissions, portfolio extensions as well as marketing in print or digital form (internet).

Exceptions: In well-founded cases, e.g. if the photography/filming also serve the interests of the Botanic Garden or Chinese Garden, the fee can be waived.


How to apply for a shooting permit

In order to apply for a written permission to carry out photography or filming in the Botanic Garden, please fill in our application form (PDF) and send it to bota@rub.de. If your application is granted, you will receive written permission from the Botanic Garden administration to carry out your shooting. The agreed fee will be collected via invoice after the shooting has taken place. Applications should be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Cancellations are accepted up to 24 hours before the booked appointment otherwise the full fee is due, even if no shooting has taken place.


Important information

After receiving written permission, permit holders are entitled to carry out their booked shooting at the agreed time and place during the regular opening hours of the Botanic Garden. During the shooting, the following rules have to be followed:

• All photography/filming activities have to comply with the general garden etiquette and rules.
• The written permission to photograph/film in the Botanic Garden has to be carried along on the day of the shooting and presented to garden staff upon request.
• The written permission to photograph/film in the Botanic Garden is only valid during the regular opening hours and does not grant access to the non-public parts of the Botanic Garden.
• The photography/filming activities must not disturb other visitors of the Botanic Garden. In particular, any photography/filming gear must not block the paths or create and obstacle (risk of stumbling).
• The Ruhr-University Bochum reserves the right to withdraw permission to photograph or film upon violation of the above rules.
• The use of camera drones is generally not permitted.


POSTAL ADDRESS

Ruhr-University Bochum
Botanic Garden
Universitätsstraße 150
D-44801 Bochum
GERMANY

ADDRESS FOR SATNAVS

"N-Südstraße 6" or
GPS-COORDINATES 51.444761, 7.269031

CONTACT

phone: +49 (0)234 32 22005
E-Mail

OPENING TIMES

Summer
April 01 - October 31

Outdoor: Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Glasshouses: Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Winter
November 01 - March 31

Outdoor: Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Glasshouses: Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Closed from 23 Dec 2024 until 06 Jan 2025 (University-wide energy saving measure) as well as during storms and icy conditions

  • Admission free
  • No bicycles, e-scooters and drones
  • Dogs are allowed outdoors but only on the lead