The Huntington Library, Los Angeles Arboretum, Descanso Gardens Event and Photography Fees and Costs
Updated: Mar 7
updated March 7, 2023
First of all, thank you for coming to read this blog entry. It is without a doubt our largest single page hit after our pricing page. We'd be honored to help you with any event, regardless of where you hold it, just ask!.
The iconic Huntington Library is among the most sought after locations to capture both engagement sessions (pre-wedding) as well as wedding day photos. Contact them directly via their email for the most up to date information. As of March 7, 2023, their location fees are as follows:
A three hour session for portrait photography for the purpose of family portraits, engagement sessions or anything else is $1100.00. You also have the option for a golf cart to take you around the property for an additional $250. If you also want a videographer along for the time it is an additional $250 charge from the venue. If you would like to book us to capture your shoot for up to 3 hours, it would be $550 and that includes unlimited images captured and edited during that session. We are a pre approved insured vendor for the Huntington Library.
The fine details - No tripods or external lights are allowed. No drones are allowed. No flash photography is allowed. A reservation must be made at least 30 days in advance and no further than 6 months. Because we are on the approved list there is a way to get a faster booking date but do expect to pay an additional $150 to them for this. This is not a fee we add on, our rate does not change based on their rush scheduling. Also based on what I have discussed with the library, they do not allow dress changes so be sure you wear exactly what you wanted for the shoot. Props are allowed but not oversized ones. I would suggest you run your ideas of props by them to make sure you won't waste your time.
We understand that this is a very high cost to capture your engagement photos. So go ahead and pull up a chair and sit down. Let's discuss the costs for a wedding.
In order to get married on the Huntington Library grounds you will expect to encounter a starting costs of $50,000. That is just of the ceremony. If you wish to have both your ceremony and your reception here the location costs start at $150,000. It is rather clear that this is only for the elite of the elite and makes this perhaps the most expensive location costs for any venue that we are aware of in California. These costs do not include your food, your DJ or tables.
Whether or not you choose to pursue this location we would love to be there and provide you our photography, videography, DJ/MC and photo booth services. This blog entry is still our most commonly read. With over 900 hits in only 24 months. Let us know what you think and if we could get you any more info about The Huntington Library. Text Tom directly at 714-394-4263 or just chat with us here on our site.
We will be updating this page for the Huntington Library and will post photos as soon as they are ready after the April 7, 2023 pre-wedding shoot we have scheduled.
1151 Oxford Rd.
San Marino, CA 91108
Contact Zia directly at ziampietro@huntington.org - Let her know we sent you!
So, what other options are there to the Huntington Library? We can recommend three options. The Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia, CA and Descanso Gardens in La Canada, California are the two closest options and The Pasadena History Museum is also one we can recommend.
Option 1 - The Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia. As of the time of this writing the costs for up to 14 people is $75 plus entry costs. A photo permit can be requested from their site here. You can view some of our work for both weddings and engagement sessions. It is also a great place to do some family photos.
Option 2- Descanso Gardens in La Canada. The most current costs for photography for this venue can be found here. The costs for 1-5 people are $300 for the permit. 6-10 people costs are $400 as of the time of this blog entry. It is a great location if you can find the time to put it in your wedding day for both the Thursday Club or The La Canada Country Club.
1418 Descanso Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91101
Option 3- The Pasadena History Museum in Pasadena. Please visit our most recent shoot for this location. Photography here requires a permit and a scheduled time request. Rates start at $350 the last time we shot there.
470 W. Walnut St.
Pasadena, CA 91103
To schedule this location text Tim at 626-720-3544
Or email Tim tmacdonaugh@pasadenahistory.org
Photos below are from Descanso Gardens and the Pasadena History Museum.
LAdigitalPhoto - Life Event Photography by Tom Keene © is in no way associated with any of these venues. We are also not a preferred vendor for them either and we do not receive any reimbursement or benefits in any way by this article.