Q: Why does Agritopia Farm require photography permits?

A: Agritopia Farm is a carefully maintained environment that our farmers, staff, and community take great pride in. Countless hours and resources go into organically maintaining this space each week. Photography permit contributions directly support these efforts and help fund the Arizona Urban Agriculture Foundation.

Q: Who needs a permit?

A: A permit is required for anyone conducting a session on the property using professional equipment, exchanging services or payment for photography or videography, or using the content for business or promotional purposes.

Q: Can I take photos in the Orchard without a permit if the photos are taken on my phone?

A: No. The Orchard is a special, private area of the farm and is not open to the public outside of Agritopia-hosted community events. A valid photo permit is required to access or photograph this space—regardless of camera type or device.

Q: How do I purchase a permit?

A: Complete the form below to request your permit. Requests are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and our team will respond within 24–48 hours to confirm availability and next steps.

Q: Who should I contact with questions about my upcoming session?

A: Our photography permit team is happy to help! Email photography@agritopiafarm.com or call the Farm Store at (623) 260-8896.

Q: What is the difference between the Garden & Orchard Permits?

A: The Garden Permit will not include access to the orchard.

Q: Do I need to book both permits to access the orchard and common areas?

A: No! If you purchase an Orchard Permit, you will have access to both the orchard and the common areas.

Q: Can I upgrade my Garden Permit to an Orchard Permit once I am on site?

A: Possibly! If Orchard Permits are still available on your scheduled date, our team may be able to accommodate the upgrade. The $50 difference will be due at the Farm Store when you pick up your physical permit.

Q: Are there any areas that are off limits?

A: Yes. The Orchard is off-limits without a valid Orchard Permit. Additionally, no photography is allowed in growing fields, fenced areas marked “Farm Staff Only” or “No Trespassing,” or inside community garden plots (unless you’ve received direct permission from a member). Guests found in restricted areas will be asked to end their session and leave without a refund.

Q: When & where will I pick up my permit once it is reserved?

A: Agritopia Farm requires a physical photography permit to be worn during all sessions on site. These temporary passes must be picked up at the Farm Store on the day of your session during posted store hours.
📍 Location: 3000 E Ray Road, BLDG 8, Gilbert, AZ 85296 — directly behind Garage East Winery.

Q: What if I cannot retrieve my physical permit before the session, or the store is closed before I plan to arrive?

A: You may send someone from your group to pick up the permit on your behalf during store hours. If that’s not possible, please email our team at: photography@agritopiafarm.com to coordinate an alternate handoff location prior to your session.

Q: Do I have to wear the permit during the session?

A: Yes. The photographer must wear the permit for the duration of the session. This helps our team identify authorized sessions and ensures a smooth experience for everyone on the farm.

Q: What do I do with the Permit after the session is over?

A: Please return your temporary permit to the Farm Store during business hours, or use the designated drop box located in front of the Farm Store if your session ends after hours.

Q: What if I forget to return my permit after the session?

A: Failure to return your physical permit may result in a fine. To avoid any additional charges, please return your pass promptly after your session concludes.

Q: How do I check permit availabilities?

A: You can view our availability calendar, hosted on Google, which is linked right above this section.

Q: How far in advance can I schedule out a Garden or Orchard Permit?

A: The calendar displays availability 2–3 months out from the current date due to changing farm operations and events. If the calendar appears blank for your desired dates, that month’s availability has not yet been released. We announce new dates through our photography community newsletter, which you can opt in for at the bottom of this webpage!

Q: What if my desired date is fully booked?

A: Permits are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all permits for a specific date are booked, we cannot accommodate additional requests. We recommend having a couple of backup dates in mind when scheduling.

Q; What happens if I need to reschedule?

A: All permits are non-refundable. If your planned date no longer works, email our team at photography@agritopiafarm.com to move your permit to another available date. You may also transfer your permit to another photographer if you notify our team via email prior to your session.

Q: What happens if the weather changes or it rains?

A: Photography permits are valid rain or shine. Please check the weather forecast before booking if you wish to avoid potential disruptions.

Q: Do you allow props on site?

A: Yes! Small props or decorations such as blankets, pillows, wagons, signs, and other easily transportable items are allowed. Large furniture (e.g., couches, tables, lounge chairs) or vehicles cannot be used as props at this time. If you’re unsure whether your props are allowed, please email our team at photography@agritopiafarm.com for clarification.

Q: Are flower petals, bird seed or confetti allowed during my session?

A: No! These items are difficult to clean completely and may end up in our growing areas, so they are not permitted.

Q: What if my clients want to pick fruit/veggies during their session?

A: Picking produce during a session is strictly prohibited. Fruit and veggie picking is only allowed during select dates and times each year, which are listed on our events page when they are available.

Q: Can I move furniture/tools found on site?

A: Please do not move any existing furniture or farm tools. These are part of the property’s setup and may be unsafe to relocate.

Q: Are restrooms available on site?
A: Yes! Restrooms are located directly in front of The Farm Store, on the back side of Garage East Winery. Additional bathrooms are available on the porch of Joe’s Farm Grill.

Q: Where can I park during my session?
A: Parking is available near The Orchard, The Coffee Shop, and behind Joe’s Farm Grill. During events, spaces may fill quickly, so we recommend arriving 10–15 minutes early to secure a closer spot. Otherwise, overflow parking can be found at Epicenter.

Q: Is the farm accessible for guests with mobility considerations?
A: Agritopia Farm is a working farm, so paths and common areas are sometimes uneven. Garden Permits are recommended for guests using scooters or those needing easier access, as the Orchard paths tend to be less maintained.

Q: Can I bring food or drinks on site?
A: Small personal items like water bottles or snacks are fine. We just ask that guests clean up after themselves and do not leave food items behind.

Q: Are drones allowed on site?
A: Drone use is typically reserved for commercial projects. If you are a licensed drone operator and would like to use a drone during your session, please reach out to our team in advance at photography@agritopiafarm.com to provide proof of credentials and request permission.

Q: What is the difference between a professional session and a commercial session?

A: Professional sessions are typically conducted by a hired photographer for personal use, such as family, school, or maternity photos. Commercial sessions are conducted for business, promotional, or influencer purposes.

Q: Do commercial projects require a permit?

A: Yes! All commercial projects will need a valid custom permit to be hosted on Agritopia Farm. Commercial Permits start at $250/hour, and increase in price based on the scope of the project.

Q: How do I request a commercial permit?

A: Email our farm director, Christy, at: info@agritopiafarm.com with as much detail around your project as possible! Christy will help assess the needs of your project and guide you through next steps.

Q: Why do commercial projects require a custom permit instead of the standard Garden or Orchard Permits offered?

A: Each commercial project is unique and may require different restrictions or guidelines. These projects can impact other sessions and may require private space rentals depending on scope. We evaluate each project individually to ensure it aligns with farm operations and other scheduled activities.

Q: What if I want to host a series of Mini Sessions at Agritopia Farm?

A: Mini sessions extend beyond the intended use of our standard Garden and Orchard Permits. If you want to host a series of mini sessions on a specific date, reach out to photography@agritopiafarm.com. We may be able to create a custom permit if the requested date and time allow!

Q: Are pets allowed on site for photos?

A: Yes! Pets are welcome, but they must remain leashed and stay within designated areas where pets are permitted.

Q: What areas are prohibited for pets?

A: Pets are not allowed in our growing areas, including fields, the community garden, and the orchard.

Q: Can I bring additional friends, family members, or assistants to my session?

A: Yes! Additional people are allowed, but they count toward your group total, even if they are not being photographed.

Q: Is Agritopia Farm available on holidays for photography sessions?

A: Agritopia Farm may be available on select holidays for sessions. However, this year we will be closed on New Yers Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. All holiday closures will be noted on the Google Calendar linked above and should indicate if permits will be available or not.

Q: How can I check if any events may be happening at Agritopia Farm on the dates I am looking at?

A: All events will be listed in grey on our Google Calendar linked above. If a scheduled event results in any space closures, those will be marked in red and show which permits may be unavailable that day.

Q: Will events effect parking on site during my session?

A: Parking may be effected by events. If there is an event booked on your session date, we suggest arriving an extra 10-15 minutes early to navigate parking and to get setup. Parking is available near The Orchard, The Coffee Shop, and behind Joe’s Farm Grill. Additional parking is available at Epicenter.

Q: When is your peak season for photography sessions?

A: Our peak season for photography, and events, typically starts at the end of October and runs through May. Sessions hosted from June–September are usually less busy, with significantly lower traffic around the property overall.

Q: Do you limit photography permits during peak season?

A: Yes! We now limit the number of permits available daily to help maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.

Agritopia Farm does not allow bridal or wedding sessions on site unless you have booked a wedding with our Events Team. If you would like to inquire about hosting your wedding on site, please fill out the form linked here.