The Huntington Library, LA Arboretum, Descanso Gardens The 4 Best Locations for Engagement Session
Updated: Sep 8
Los Angeles Wedding Photography Tom Keene the Affordable Wedding Photographer
Okay, okay we know there are more than 4 best locations for an engagement session, but these are among our favorites.
First of all, thank you for coming to read this blog entry. It is without a doubt our largest single blog page hit after our pricing page. We'd be honored to help you with any event, regardless of where you hold it, just ask!
If you have questions while reading this or simply want to say hello, you can chat with Tom anytime. When you see the chat bubble just click it. If it has a red dot next to it, we have already messaged you!
The iconic Huntington Library is among the most sought after locations to capture both engagement sessions/pre-wedding as well as wedding day photos. LAdigitalPhoto is proud to be on their preferred vendors list. We do our best to keep this blog updated but feel free to 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 and preferred vendor for the Huntington Library. If you need less than the 3 hours of time for the photography coverage with us, just message us for details.
Are you ready to book the location? Read below...
Once you are engaged, you can contact the library to schedule your engagement or pre-wedding photos with us or any other photographer on their list of approved photographers. Warning -The Huntington Library no longer allows you to "take the knee" and propose to your future partner. Well, you can, but you just can't have it photographed by a professional. If that was your goal, please contact us for other locations or continue to read for other locations we can suggest below.
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.
Warning - 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 and photo booth services. This blog entry is still our most commonly read. With over 1700 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.
[ You can chat with us anytime by selecting the Chat Here at the bottom of the page. If you are on a cell phone and there is a red dot, we have already messaged you! ]
1151 Oxford Rd.
San Marino, CA 91108
Contact Zia directly at ziampietro@huntington.org - Let her know we sent you!
What Other Options Are Their for Your Engagement Photography?
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 close options. 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.
Above: The Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia, CA
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. The grounds are well kept and there are plenty of places to capture your engagement.
Above: Descanso Gardens in La Canada, CA
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. The Pasadena History Museum has been used for countless magazine shoots and provides a great experience for architecture as well as the beautiful grounds.
Above: The Pasadena History Museum, Pasadena CA
470 W. Walnut St.
Pasadena, CA 91103
To schedule this location text Tim at 626-720-3544
Or email Tim tmacdonaugh@pasadenahistory.org
LAdigitalPhoto - Life Event Photography by Tom Keene © is in no way associated with any of these venues. We do not receive any reimbursement or benefits in any way for this article. We truly hope you found this information helpful. Whether you are ready to book your engagement photos or not, we'd really love to hear from you. Just chat with us, really Tom loves to break up the day of editing by chatting with couples from all over the world. If today is a weekend, his response may be a bit slower, since he is likely shooting an event.