About Pasadena
Sprawling to the northeast of downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena is a historic city that’s renowned for its Victorian and Art Deco architecture. It’s home to the outstanding art collection of the Norton Simon Museum and the gorgeous Huntington, as well as one of the most attractive city halls in Southern California.
Pasadena’s enchanting locations and proximity to the rugged mountains that back Los Angeles make it an ideal place to hold a photo shoot. Whether you’re after a mid-century mansion or a leafy park, you can find photo shoot locations in Pasadena that reflect the style and aesthetic you’re after.
Photo Shoot Options in Pasadena
Once you’ve decided on your Pasadena photo shoot locations, it’s time to look for professional vendors in the city to make it all happen.
- Photographers
First and foremost, you need a talented photographer to lead the photo shoot and capture the images you’re after. Most professional studios will also have second shooters and lighting assistants available if you don’t want to source your own.
- Hair and makeup artists
Hair and makeup artists with experience in the photography industry will know what works in front of the camera and what doesn’t. Pasadena has an extensive network of beauty professionals you can draw on.
- Equipment rental
If your photo shoot location isn’t equipped with everything you need, you can source furnishings, lights, and a variety of decor through one of the city’s gear rental companies.
- Catering
Want to provide food and drinks throughout your photo shoot? Pasadena’s restaurants and dedicated catering companies can deliver to your door, whether you’re after platters, multi-course meals, or a buffet.
- DJ
Add a touch of ambiance to your photo shoot with the help of a live DJ spinning tunes throughout the session. It will ensure that everyone involved has high morale, even if you’re doing long shoots that go well into the night.
Event Companies In Pasadena
If you need help finding your photo shoot location in Pasadena or sourcing vendors, you can invest in the services of an experienced event planning company to do the hard work for you.
- Event Professionals
As its name suggests, this Pasadena event planning company has extensive experience in the industry and offers a range of services that can be customized to your needs. They can organize catering, rentals, and staff to attend your photo shoot, meaning you can focus on the creative side of things.
- Lumiani Events
Established by four women with backgrounds in the legal, entertainment, arts, and financial worlds, Lumiani Events is an event planning company like no other. They’ll ensure all bases are covered when designing your photo shoot and will assist in executing it in a stress-free manner.
- Innovate Marketing Group
This award-winning event experience agency plans both live and virtual events across a whole variety of different industries. They pride themselves on creating immersive experiences that leave an impact, no matter the setting.
Pros and Cons of Photo Shoots in Pasadena
While Pasadena boasts a sunny setting in Southern California that makes it ideal for outdoor photo shoots, the city’s high cost of living and heavy traffic are worth considering.
Advantages
- Beautiful weather
Pasadena enjoys beautiful weather throughout the year and few rainy days, making it an ideal place to host an outdoor photo shoot, even in the cooler months.
- Diversity of venues
From mid-century mansions to Southern-inspired churches, there’s a diverse choice of photo shoot venues in Pasadena to suit all tastes.
- Experienced professionals
Pasadena’s location within the Greater Los Angeles area means you have an abundance of experienced professionals on your doorstep, from photographers to hair and makeup artists and catering companies.
- Convenient transport options
Flights from across the globe arrive at Los Angeles International Airport, meaning out-of-state models, photographers, and assistants can easily get to your photo shoot in Pasadena.
- Proximity to the great outdoors
Want to stage your photo shoot in a natural setting? Pasadena offers easy access to the rugged mountains that back Los Angeles, as well as being a short drive from the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Ocean.
Disadvantages
- High costs of living
Pasadena has one of the highest average sales taxes in the state of California.
- In-demand vendors and venues
Pasadena’s a popular place for photo shoots and other events, so there may be some competition when securing vendor services and venues.
- Traffic
The traffic in Los Angeles is notorious for coming to a standstill both day and night and is something to take into consideration when deciding on your photo shoot location. In Pasadena, it’s particularly bad when events are taking place at the Rose Bowl.
- Poor air quality at times
Nestled up against the mountains, Pasadena experiences poor air quality at times.
- Relatively high crime rate
Pasadena has a crime rate that is higher than 70% of California’s other towns and cities, meaning it’s not the safest city to walk around at night.
Famous Photo Shoot Locations in Pasadena
- Arlington Garden
This sprawling botanical garden is the only free public garden in Pasadena and is planted with a variety of species that are native to California. Highlights of the garden include Yoko Ono’s art installation “Wish Tree for Pasadena” and the seven-circuit labyrinth. There are plenty of benches and birdbaths you can utilize in your photo session, as well as a whimsical orchard of orange trees.
- Pasadena City Hall
Designed as part of the 1920s City Beautiful movement, the Pasadena City Hall is one of the most attractive architectural landmarks in the city. It’s long been a favorite shooting location for films and TV, as well as being popular for engagement and wedding photography. Keep in mind that you will need a permit to shoot here if it’s for commercial purposes.
- The Huntington
Established by Henry and Arabella Huntington, this stunning property combines a library, an art museum, and a botanical garden. It boasts an impressive collection of 18th and 19th-century European artworks, as well as themed gardens that provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor shoots. No flash photography is allowed, and you will need a permit if you’re shooting with models, lights, and other equipment.
