Los Angeles Portrait Photographer
Why Shoot Portrait Photography in Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles is the land of urban sprawl. With that said, because the city is so large and spread out, it acts as an almost limitless resource for photography of all varieties. I grew up near the Los Angeles region, so I’ve come to know the city well. It has its rough patches, it’s off-the-beaten trail patches, its patches of untamed beauty, and of course its patches of sophistication and elegance.
You can’t go wrong with any of them—they all inject personality into your portrait photographs, no matter what exactly you’re looking for. Known as the “city of angels”, Los Angeles is equal parts extreme wealth, entertainment and artistry, and relaxation. You can do it all in LA. Most of all, you can be anyone you want to be; my photography can even help you fit that persona or mood while Los Angeles does the rest of the work by just being.
What You Can Wear for Portraits in Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles is a big city with plenty of different people living in it. The streets are full of all kinds of different styles. I love to shoot models in streetwear—it fits the predominant LA landscape well.
However, my portrait photography is versatile and I am open to whatever aesthetic you’re looking for.
If you’re not sure what to wear, or have any questions, I’m here to answer them. I can tell you what’ll look best through the lens and even give suggestions based on location or mood. Just ask me!
Best Spots Near Los Angeles for Portrait Photography
You can find a place to shoot a portrait literally everywhere in Los Angeles. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek out the best places to inform your mood or character on a shoot.
Lake Hollywood Park
You may not be the only person to think of it, but if you’re trying to inject a certain “LA-ness” into your portrait then there is no better place than Lake Hollywood Park. The “Hollywood” sign looms overheat making it easy to fit into a portrait. Whether you’re going for a serious moment or a tongue-in-cheek one, the sign is the perfect prop for the job.
Wayfarers Chapel
While the Hollywood sign might be an oft-trodden spot for photography, the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes is a great way to cut through derivative Los Angeles and get to a more unique place. Also known as “the Glass Church” and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the chapel serves as a unique and strikingly beautiful backdrop.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach has long been an institution of all things unorthodox in Los Angeles. The beach is home to a unique mixture of the local color and sightseers, which is a recipe that creates many impromptu moments for the camera. Venice Beach acts as a unique backdrop, whether you’re interested in the ocean, the sand, the boardwalk, or the eccentricity.
Abandoned Zoo in Griffith Park
If you’re searching for a more mysterious, almost dystopian look than the Old Los Angeles Zoo situated in Griffith Park is your place. Abandoned exhibits, colorful vandalism, and spooky nooks and crannies all come together to provide a sometimes dark. Sometimes fun, and wholly unique location to shoot a portrait.
Why Choose Me as Your Los Angeles Portrait Photographer
I don’t just know every spot in Los Angeles to shoot photography. I know the best time to explore these spots. Sometimes Venice Beach is best during the golden hour, where my clients are lit by fading warm sunlight. And when it’s been raining all day (admittedly, a rare thing in LA) the Wayfarers Chapel is full of lush, green foliage which pops against the subdued light of a gloomy day.
It contrasts well with the glass and wood of the chapel. To put it simply—shooting great portrait photography or headshot photography in Los Angeles isn’t just about what you know, where you know to go, or the kind of camera you have. You have to bring with you an intuition that is perfectly combined with experience—I’ve found that formula in Los Angeles.
Facts About Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is a sprawling city full of history. A single person couldn’t possibly know everything about it. With that said, I love Los Angeles trivia. While I may not be an encyclopedia on the topic, I think I’ve collected quite a bit throughout my life.
What could have bean
The oft-envied, rich neighborhood of Beverly Hills had humble beginnings as a lima bean ranch. Who could have thought it’d become one of the richest neighborhoods in the world?
Rain, rain, go away
While Los Angeles isn’t exactly known for having a prolific rainy season, almost a foot (!) of rain fell across the city in February 1978. Legend says there’s still traffic on the 405 from that storm to this day.
Hollywood; an excuse to get away from Thomas Edison
There is a reason most of our film industry is concentrated in Los Angeles (Hollywood, to be exact) but it’s probably not why you think. Before filmmakers migrated to the West, much of the industry operated in New Jersey, where Thomas Edison greedily held most of the country’s film rights. Filmmakers, having had enough, fled to the Wild West to escape his wrath and find creative and intellectual freedom.