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Notice: Formal photography for personal use requires a pre-approved permit. Formal photography includes posed or staged individual or group photo sessions for portraits, engagement, wedding, graduation or other special occasion photography or non-commercial content creation. The photographer may be paid or unpaid.

Rules of Behavior for Photography on Library Premises

Formal Photography for Personal Use – Permit Request 

This permit request form is only for individuals and groups who wish to engage in formal photography for personal use under 36 C.F.R. 702.4.  “Formal photography for personal use” includes posed or staged individual or group portrait sessions, engagement or wedding photography, modeling shoots, graduation or other special occasion photography, non-commercial content creation, or any other photography, videography, or other filming involving directing or organizing subjects.

This form is NOT for photography for commercial, promotional, media, or news purposes via television, online or other media channels, or any photography involving use of the Library name, seal, logo, staff, or collections.  Individuals or groups wishing to engage in this kind of photography require specific permission from the Library of Congress Office of Communications.  Requests for permission must be made at least one week prior to the proposed photography.  Contact the Office of Communications at news@loc.gov.

Photography timeslots may be subject to cancellation by the Library for reasons including, but not limited to, closure of Library buildings for inclement weather, maintenance or security emergencies, or special events. When possible, the Library will notify registrants of cancellations using the contact information provided during registration. Otherwise, changes to the Library's operating status will generally be announced at www.loc.gov. Registrants are also reminded to follow all instructions from Library personnel and the U.S. Capitol Police.

Formal Photography – Rules of Behavior

By requesting this permit for formal photography for personal use, I acknowledge that I have read and understand that I and the other members of my group (if applicable) must comply with the regulations governing conduct on Library premises found at 36 C.F.R. § 702.2, the regulations governing photography on Library premises found at 36 C.F.R. § 702.4, and the following additional rules of behavior:

  • Individuals and groups may register for only one photography timeslot per day.
  • Individuals and groups may not use regular timed-entry visit tickets to extend their photography sessions.
  • Groups may consist of no more than 20 people (including the photographer.)
  • Groups will be escorted by Library personnel for the duration of their photography timeslot.
  • Everyone in the group must obey all directions from Library personnel and U.S. Capitol Police personnel.
  • Timeslots will be strictly enforced.  Groups must remove all equipment and other personal property and depart the building by the scheduled timeslot end.
  • Photography is permitted only in the Great Hall and Mezzanine areas of the Thomas Jefferson Building.  Photography is not permitted in other Library buildings, exhibit areas, reading rooms, hallways, elevators, staff areas, or other Library spaces.
  • Please note that while photography is not permitted on the Great Hall stairs during regular visiting hours, it is permitted during your dedicated photography session.  Please use caution on the stairs.
  • Do not move or climb on any Library furniture, fixture, signage, or architectural feature.
  • Do not mount or hang any photographic equipment, prop, or other personal property on any Library furniture, fixture, signage, or architectural feature.
  • Do not cause damage to any Library furniture, fixture, signage, or architectural feature, including but not limited to the mosaic and marble floors.
  • All camera equipment and supplemental photography equipment must go through the x-ray machine on entry.  Bags will be checked upon departure.  Bags and accessories must remain with their owners at all times.
  • Supplemental photography equipment (e.g., light sources or modifiers, props, microphones) must be contained in one crate or container with dimensions no larger than 24” H X 24” W X 36” L.
  • Drones are not permitted anywhere on U.S. Capitol Complex grounds, including in any Library facilities.  For a complete list of items prohibited on U.S. Capitol Complex grounds, see https://www.uscp.gov/visiting-capitol-hill/regulations-prohibitions/prohibited-items.
  • Balloons, confetti, glitter, bubbles, food, drink, or other props that may escape from control or require cleanup are strictly prohibited.
  • Violation of any of these rules of behavior, or the regulations cited above, may be grounds for removal from Library premises and prohibition from further use of Library facilities.

Regular Visitor Timed Tickets

Photography Rules

  • “Photography” includes all photography, videography, or other filming on Library premises through any device or technology.
  • During a regular timed-entry ticket, you may take informal photographs for your personal use.  “Informal” photography is spontaneous casual tourist photography of the kind a typical visitor engages in.  It does not involve any supplemental equipment beyond the single device capturing the images (e.g., no selfie sticks, supplemental lighting, microphones, or other props).
  • Regular timed-entry tickets are NOT valid for:
    • Formal photography for personal use, such as posed or staged individual or group portrait sessions, engagement or wedding photography, modeling shoots, graduation or other special occasion photography, non-commercial content creation, or any other photography, videography, or other filming involving directing or organizing subjects; or
    • Photography for commercial, promotional, media, or television or online news purposes, or involving use of the Library name, seal, logo, staff, or collections.

Engaging in these types of photography during a regular timed-entry ticket is strictly prohibited.

Individuals or groups wishing to engage in this photography must follow special procedures to obtain permission, described further on the photography permit form page.

All photography must comply with all directions from Library and U.S. Capitol Police personnel, including all posted signs, and is subject to termination at any time if Library or U.S. Capitol Police personnel determine the photography poses a risk to others’ safety or access to Library buildings or collections or to the maintenance of Library facilities.

All visitors to Library facilities must comply with all regulations governing conduct on Library premises found in 36 C.F.R. Part 702