Photography for personal enjoyment is encouraged at the Mission. Visitors are allowed to take informal vacation-style memory photos capturing the gardens, nature, architecture and family.

“Posed” portrait photography requires advanced reservations and permit. View photography packages and pricing below.

Note: Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions below for the Mission’s definition of vacation-style photography vs. posed portrait photography requiring a permit.

“Still” scenic style photography is permitted for private, non-commercial use only.

Photographs may not be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or used commercially in any manner. The use of flash photography is permitted outdoors only.

Mission San Juan Capistrano reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission from applicants to photograph on its premises or to reproduce photographs of objects in its collections. Policies have been outlined to provide further information on how to gain necessary approvals for various photography needs. The following are our various photography packages:

Photography Packages for You and Your Photographer

Wedding Package – Photography and Videography
Duration: 2 Hours
Guest(s): 1-10 Cost: $300
Guests: 11-25 guests Cost: $500
This package allows you to bring in your own photographer and videographer for up to two hours. If your head count is over 25 guests, please contact the Group Booking Department at bookings@missionsjc.com or (949) 234-1306 for approval and pricing. Photography members receive a $25.00 discount on the package price.

*Please note: If you do not have a videographer, please see the Portrait Package below for savings.

Engagement or First Look Package – Photography and Videography
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Guests: 2
Cost: $200
This package allows you to bring in your own photographer and videographer for up to 1.5 hours. It is designed specifically for an engagement or wedding couple and allows a maximum of two guests in the session. Photography members receive a $25.00 discount on the package price.

*Please note: If you do not have a videographer, please see the Portrait Package below for savings.

Quinceanera Package – Photography and Videography
Duration: 2 Hours
Guest(s): 1-10
Cost: $300

This package allows you to bring in your own photographer and videographer for up to two hours. You may also have a total of 10 guests with this photo session. Photography members receive a $25.00 discount on the package price.

*Please note: If you do not have a videographer, please see the Portrait Package below for savings.

Portrait Package – Photography Only/No Videography
Perfect for: Family, Engagement, Graduation, Maternity, Quinceanera, Wedding, Professional or Personal Headshots, Milestone Celebrations, Cultural/Religious Holiday
Duration: 1 Hour session. Additional hours can be added based on the pricing below.
Guests: 1-5 (or every 5)
Cost: $90 per hour – Tuesday through Sunday
Cost: $110 per hour – Monday only

This versatile package allows you to bring in your own photographer for a minimum of one hour. Pricing is based on the number of guests in the session and the number of hours requested. This package allows a maximum of one photographer – no assistant. If an assistant is required, please see our upgraded Engagement, Wedding and Quinceanera packages. Videography is NOT allowed when purchasing the portrait package, this also includes use of cell phone video cameras.

Mission Preservation Society Photography members reservations pay a reduced rate of $60 per hour, seven days a week.

PACKAGE DETAILS TO NOTE:

Mission San Juan Capistrano photography packages DO NOT provide a photographer.

Are you in need of a photographer? Book your session with a Mission Preservation Society Photography Member! View list of our Photography Members who are experienced photographing clients at the Mission.

The “guest count” for a photo session refers to the number of guests to be photographed. Photographers/videographers/assistants should not be included in the guest count.

One outfit change is permitted under the Wedding, Engagement, and Quinceanera packages or when a minimum of 2 hours is booked under the Portrait Package.

Sessions requiring more than two hours or multiple outfit changes will be considered a commercial session and will be priced accordingly.

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See What Visitors are Saying…

“What a beautiful place to take photos… so worth it when you first walk in there is a beautiful garden and you see this amazing fountain with so many lily pads with koi fish so beautiful. There’s so much history here it’s definitely a beautiful place to visit even just once! It was such a gorgeous day out today so it made it even more lovely to go see beautiful flowers and see some history.” – Jessica G.

Testimonials

High School Formal Dance

Formal dances can be some of the most memorable milestone events that one gets to attend. As such, high school students can capture the magic of their special night with pre-dance photography at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

We ask for respect and cooperation in following our guidelines, Mission San Juan Capistrano is a non-profit with limited resources working to welcome all guests safely and positively into the 18th century setting.

If students would like to book the Mission for pre-dance photos, please have the designated group representative for the event/school reach out to our Group Booking Department at 949-234-1306 to schedule this session.

We are happy to check our availability and schedule your pre-dance photos subject to availability and resources. Once confirmed, students/student groups will be provided with details on how to purchase their discounted pre-dance photo entry tickets.

WINTER FORMAL DANCES

Book BY CALLING (949) 234-1306

• Pre-dance photos are permitted between the hours of 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. To guarantee entry, reservations are strongly recommended.

• The Mission charges a rate of $10.00 per person for all high school formal dance photos. Students and their families may take their pre- dance photos after 3:30 p.m. with an approved reservation.

• Individuals, student groups, and family members coming in prior to 3:30 p.m. will be charged our general admission rate, or may be turned away if they do not have a reservation.

• Pre-dance photos must be taken on the same day as the actual formal dance to be eligible for this highly discounted rate.

• All students/parents who want to enter the Mission for pre-event dance photos must have a paid reservation or purchase tickets in advance online.

• Those arriving without a reservation will be considered a “walk up” and will be placed in a queue. They will only be admitted if time and resources are available, there is no guarantee that time will allow.

• Members of the Mission Preservation Society do not receive any discounts or benefits associated with their membership.

• Students must wear clothing that is appropriate for the Mission grounds. Clothing that is overly revealing is not permitted on church property. No sheer dresses or clothing revealing undergarments will be allowed.

• It must be apparent that everyone in the group intends to participate in either the taking of the photos or in being photographed.

• In the event an unmanageable crowd of dance-goers arrives to the Mission at the same time, we may be required to stagger entry to protect the guest experience of our full admission paying guests, wedding parties, and family photography sessions already onsite.

• The Mission reserves the right to limit the specific locations where pre-dance photos may be taken.

• Wedding and family photography that is paid for and underway will take precedent over high school dance photography.

• Photos are not permitted in the Serra Chapel, standing on any fountain, or sitting in windows.

• Climbing on any historic structure is strictly prohibited and will result in guests being asked to leave the property.

• Any guest that is disruptive or verbally disrespectful to our staff will be asked to leave without a refund.

• Corsage boxes must be taken with you or placed in designated trash receptacles. Please be respectful to the site by not leaving trash behind.

• The Mission closes daily at 5:00pm. At this time, dance photography should be complete, and all dance guests should be making their way to their offsite destination.
The Mission reserves the right to limit site capacity based on staffing and potential safety issues resulting from large crowds of students/parents descending upon our grounds without advance notice. To avoid an awkward situation, please reserve in advance by calling (949) 234-1306 so that we can work together to make your evening a success!

Photography Guidelines

Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes visitors, professional and commercial photographers as well as members of the media on our grounds according to the policies and procedures outlined below.

“Vacation-style” or impromptu photography/videography is permitted throughout the grounds. *For a definition of vacation-style photography, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions below.

• No flash photography or selfie sticks in any building.

• Guests are not allowed to use tripods, monopods or stabilizers. These items may be used by a photographer with a permit and liability insurance on file with the Mission.

• Additional photographic equipment such as lights, reflectors, props, costumes, models are prohibited, except under an approved permit or commercial contract.

• Drones are not permitted.

• No climbing on the walls, arcades, ruins, or any physical and historic structure that makes up the Mission.

• No wedding officiants or ceremonies permitted onsite.

• Elopement ceremonies, renewal of vows, exchange of vows, promises, first words, reading of love letters and poems are all strictly prohibited. Guests not adhering to this policy will be asked to leave the Mission grounds immediately without refund.

All posed photography, both commercial and non-commercial, require a reservation and permit in advance. *For a definition of “posed photography”, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions below.

• Non-commercial, posed photography includes, but is not limited to: maternity and family portraits, wedding and engagement photography, graduation portraits, quinceañeras, religious and cultural holidays and headshots.

• Permit fees and insurance are required in advance. To apply for a photography permit and reserve a session time, book online or contact the Group Bookings Department at bookings@missionsjc.com or (949) 234-1306.

• Commercial filming and photography are permitted by appointment only. Location fees, permits, and insurance are required, certain restrictions may apply. Learn more or contact the Group Bookings Department at bookings@missionsjc.com or (949) 234-1306.

PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDELINES/WAIVER

Frequently Asked Questions

• Vacation-style photography is taking a quick snapshot of an individual or family to capture the essence of the experience as a guest.
• Vacation-style photography is when guests are taking a self-guided audio tour of the Mission and are engaged in the historical meaning of the site. The guest finds a nice spot and they snap a quick photo to help capture memories of the day.
• Visiting the Mission when the focus of the experience is taking photographs of an individual or group.
• Planned use of the Mission setting specifically as a backdrop for staged photos over an extended period of time.
• Lingering in any area or multiple areas with a subject engaging in poses at varying angles trying to get the “perfect shot” or monopolizing a specific area while taking photographs.
• Changing clothes or shoes after entry to enhance the look of the photos or adding any type of accessory to change the look of the subject.
• Being dressed in special attire for an event such as a wedding, quinceneara or cultural holiday.
• Content creators and recreational photographers taking posed photographs for paid or organic use.
• Couples or families coming in with coordinated outfits and taking posed holiday card photographs.
• A permit provides its applicant approval for a pre-paid designated time slot to take posed photographs at the Mission.
• Permits are not just for professionals. Amateur photographers are also required to have a permit if they are taking any photos not deemed as “vacation-style”.
• Permits must be secured in advance, or you will be charged the “walk up” photography rate of $200 per hour.
• The requirement to purchase a permit is based on behavior/intentions of the guest and not the type of camera being used. The Mission reserves the right to ask guests to leave the property without refund or purchase a walk-up permit if guests are found by our staff using the Mission grounds to take portrait photography.

Disclaimer: Staff reserves the right to decline or approve admission and photography as necessary.

Protecting the Mission as a Landmark
The Mission is a place of spiritual and historical meaning. Our guests come from around the world, as a place of peace and inspiration it deserves behavior on site that is in keeping with providing the best possible guest experience. Any issues or concerns my be directed to the Executive Director.

Reservation slots are limited, therefore, please call in advance to check availability. Additionally, please be aware that Mission preservation projects or special event days may not allow for photography or may exclude access to a particular area on site at any given time.

Mission San Juan Capistrano may photograph, film, or videotape visitors for educational and promotional purposes. Use of a ticket is implied consent for the use of the holder’s likeness, voice, or video image for marketing purposes.

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Member benefits include free daily admission and other exclusive perks.

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Filming and Photography

Photography Packages for You and Your Photographer

See What Visitors are Saying…

High School Formal Dance

Photography Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

Artifact of the Month: The Leon René Piano (1930)

Henry Chapman Ford Etchings

Artifact of the Month: The Leon René Piano (1930)

Henry Chapman Ford Etchings

Artifact of the Month: The Leon René Piano (1930)