Mount St. Francis is home to the Conventual Franciscan Friars, the offices of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation and the Center for Spirituality. This private property includes the Friary which is home to number of priests and religious brothers, the Center for Spirituality, and the Mary Anderson Center for the Arts. Thousands come here each year for retreats and other programs. Many join the Friars for daily prayer, Mass and community celebrations. 
Every year as the seasons change, it is a pleasure seeing photographers bring their clients to this special place.  In order to maintain the integrity of this property, Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality has instituted the Photographer Membership Policy. In welcoming photographers, we request your assistance in helping us implement a new policy guiding photo shoots on the property of Mount St. Francis.
Soon, you will see signs as this new policy is implemented in order to protect the structures and peaceful quiet place that is here on our property.  We anticipate that it may take a while to get all of the photographers who bring their clients here registered and paid. We appreciate you completing this form as soon as possible and helping us as we continue to register others.
The policy is not meant to be offensive to photographers or their clients, nor bring a large influx of monies to Mount St. Francis.  This policy is meant to protect you, our grounds, buildings, the Friars who reside here, and those on retreat who come here for spiritual programs, educational opportunities or community events.
In order to receive a permit, photographers must submit a competed application with $75 payment below. Permit applications and payment must be received in advance of intended date(s) of photography. Please allow 7-10 business days for your permit to be processed. Memberships are good one year from the date of purchase. Permits will be mailed to the address provided on the registration form once processing is complete.

Who needs to purchase a permit?

• Simply using a professional SLR or DSLR “professional camera” for informal casual photos does NOT require a permit.
• All photography and video shoots with clients, professional or amateur, and utilizing professional equipment require a permit.
• Professional equipment is defined as using the following: tripod, monopod, lights, umbrellas, diffusers, detachable flash, multiple lenses, large photography bags, reflectors, props, etc. and requires a permit.
• All shoots that are works for hire, involve client photography, or involve the exchange of money or favors for a service rendered require a permit.

 
We all want to keep Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality open and accessible allowing us to share its history and beauty with the community for many years to come. Please help us accomplish this by adhering to the following guidelines:
 

• Photographer(s) are required to keep permits visible at all times while on any part of Mount St. Francis property. We prefer that the photographers wear their permits on a lanyard.
• Guests and photographers are not permitted inside any buildings, including the chapel, gallery, barns, or kiln areas at any time. Failure to honor this request could result in cancellation of future privileges at Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality.
• Guests and Photographers are permitted to park in the general parking lot only.
• Anyone seen using chalk to write on our buildings or otherwise marking or defacing our buildings will have their permits revoked and asked to leave the premises. Please be respectful of the grounds and buildings as Mount St. Francis is over 100 years old and home to the Conventual Franciscan Friars.
• Please be courteous to other photographers and visitors to the grounds. Mount St. Francis is meant to be enjoyed by all.
• Photographers and clients are not permitted on the grounds during private events. Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality requests that photographers check date availability prior to shooting by emailing requests to retreats@mountsaintfrancis.org or contacting our office at 812-923-8817.

Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality staff has the authority to approach anyone conducting a photography or video shoot and enforce these rules. Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission to take photographs on its premises.
Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality staff will be spot checking photographers. Please make sure your permit is visible. Photographers found shooting on the grounds without the permit will be required to purchase one in the front office or online as soon as possible.
We anticipate your continued support when the new guidelines are posted and included on Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality web site.
Thanks for any ideas and assistance you can provide in making photography at Mount St. Francis  an enjoyable experience for everyone.