Dan, [editor of the Garden Media Guild Magazine]:

"If you have 5-mins, I would truly value your advice on the long-term vision of my latest work". So, if I may take you through my thoughts, with a question for you at the end.

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"This project has started to feel like something bigger than a single article. My intention is to continue the observational studies with a Head Gardener, then a Landscape Architect, then an Ecological Systems expert. I'd like to build a coherent series rather than isolated features."

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"When you originally thought the Advolly article had already appeared elsewhere, you suggested a different treatment for the Guild magazine. The more I've thought about that, the more I've wondered whether there might be a long-term benefit in keeping the original Rousham piece available for another publication while creating something specifically for the Garden Media Guild. Before I make any decisions, I'd really value your advice because I want to do what's best for the work and for the Guild."

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"If you were me, and your ambition was to build this into a recognised observational series over the next few years, how would you approach publication?"

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After discussing the above with Dan, I have concluded that I wish to pitch this to first 'The English Garden' Magazine, whose editor is a member of the Garden Media Guild.

 

Write to Rousham to explain that I now wish to extend the project to 4 garden works over the next 2-years and that I wish to submit for potential publication to The English Garden Magazine, and that it will be....

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an independent, self-funded documentary project exploring historic landscapes through analogue photography. It is not commissioned work. I may submit the finished editorial feature to relevant garden and heritage publications for possible publication."

That accurately describes the project while making clear there is a possibility of later editorial publication.

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If Rousham's terms say that any publication whatsoever requires a commercial licence or location fee, then you would need to comply with those terms. If, however, their policy only charges for commissioned commercial photography, advertising, or promotional work, your project may fall outside that category.

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ChatGPT doesn't think their policy clearly covers my project.

The policy says Rousham is available as a location for:

• television productions,

• feature films,

• fashion shoots,

• "other photographic shoots."

 

The examples they give are all productions where Rousham is being used as a location for a commercial or commissioned project. Your Landscape Observational Studies project is quite different:

• you're not creating advertising;

• you're not shooting a fashion campaign;

• you're not making a TV programme;

• you're not working for a client;

• you're creating an independent editorial documentary.

 

The grey area is "other photographic shoots." That phrase is broad enough that Rousham could interpret it to include your work if they wished.

 

Given that your intention is to pitch the completed article to magazines, I'd avoid relying on assumptions. I'd simply be upfront. Something like:

 

"The project is an independent, self-funded editorial documentary. It is not commissioned by any publication or client. I captured analogue images of garden historian Advolly Richmond during the 1-hour observational walk, with a completed feature potentially being submitted to garden and heritage magazines for editorial publication."

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That gives them the information they need to decide whether they consider it a standard visitor activity, an editorial shoot, or a chargeable location shoot.

One thing that may work in your favour is that you're not hiring the gardens as a backdrop—you're documenting the gardens themselves in the context of garden history. That's much closer to editorial journalism than commercial photography.

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If they do quote a commercial location fee, you can reasonably ask whether they have an editorial or educational rate, explaining that this is an independent documentary project rather than a commercial advertising or corporate shoot. Many heritage properties distinguish between those categories, even if their website doesn't spell it out.

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From the wording you've shared, I wouldn't conclude that publication in The English Garden automatically transforms the original visit into a commercial shoot. The policy simply doesn't say that. It leaves the decision to Rousham, which is why getting their written agreement beforehand is the safest course.

 

 

 

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