Fairmount Cemetery Tightened Photography Rules

Officials updated photography guidelines after discovering fake blood stains and unauthorized activity on private mausoleums.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Photography

Fairmount Cemetery Tightened Photography Rules

Live Poll

Should private institutions be allowed to restrict public activities to protect their grounds?

Fairmount Cemetery in Denver has implemented new photography guidelines to curb property damage and disrespectful behavior on its grounds. The decision followed the discovery of fake blood on a private mausoleum in October 2026.

Why it matters

Management aims to preserve the integrity of the historic grounds while maintaining public access for families. These measures were enacted to prevent further damage to gravestones and ensure that visitors treat the resting place with proper decorum.

Fairmount Cemetery now charges $200 for weekday photo sessions and $275 for weekend sessions. The rules explicitly prohibit fake blood, gore, and serial killer costumes while requiring that photographers remove names from headstones in their images.

The players

Fairmount Cemetery

This historic Denver site serves as a burial ground and is currently managing increased interest in photography sessions on its property.

Riverside Cemetery

This cemetery shares ownership with Fairmount and has adopted the same stringent photography rules for its visitors.

The details

Photographers must now contact the cemetery to secure official permission, at which point staff will provide a golf cart for the session. Previous incidents involved unauthorized photographers climbing or laying on gravestones, prompting the new enforcement measures at the site.

Staff discovered fake blood on a mausoleum in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The changes at Fairmount Cemetery reflect the growing tension between historic preservation and the rise of social media-driven cemetery tourism. As content creators seek unique backdrops, venues are increasingly forced to balance accessibility against the need to protect delicate sites from wear.

Photographers wishing to use the grounds must now budget for site fees and comply with strict costume and equipment restrictions. Failing to adhere to these rules could result in the total prohibition of all private photography sessions at both locations.

The takeaway

Visitors planning a professional shoot at a historic location should always verify current guidelines well in advance to ensure compliance with site regulations. Maintaining respect for private property is essential for keeping these unique cultural venues open to the public.