Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — A new policy at the George Eastman Museum is drawing pushback from local photographers after the historic venue announced it will begin charging hundreds of dollars per hour for photo sessions on its property.

The museum posted revised rules Monday, stating it will now charge $400 per hour for outdoor photo sessions and $600 per hour for indoor sessions. The policy says all special-event photography will only be permitted with a pre-approved, paid reservation. This applies to both paid professional and unpaid non-professional photography.

BACKGROUND: George Eastman Museum introduces new photography restrictions

Local photographer Erin Cummings, who has taken photos on the historic grounds for years, said the new fees could deter clients from booking sessions at the museum, which she described as her most requested location.

“I feel like a lot of photographers that I know are taking it as a message of ‘We just don’t want you there,'” Cummings said. “I hope that’s not their intention.”

Museum leaders said the changes are necessary due to popularity, and said many photographers who have not made prior arrangements are disrupting visitors’ enjoyment.

“I think every prom photo request I got was at the George Eastman House,” Cummings said. ” So I am trying to see it from their perspective; they need to protect the museum, and they need to protect the grounds. This just feels like a big overreaction to that.”

Cummings said before the change, she did not have to pay anything to shoot sessions outside.

“I’m going to have to have conversations with every single one of the seniors that I’ve already arranged with and try and pivot,” Cummings said.

The museum also said on its website that the new policy will help it protect and maintain the historic gardens and provide an orderly environment.

Cummings believes there could be other solutions.

“I think we can come to a resolution if the museum is open to it, and I don’t think the father of popular photography would approve of the decision, given that his goal was to put a camera in every hand in America, right?” Cummings said. “That was his whole thing.”

13WHAM reached out to the museum to request an interview and further comment and has not yet heard back.