Huntington Library Photoshoot

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, located in San Marino, California, is an enchanting and versatile destination that attracts photographers and models alike for unforgettable photoshoots. Founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, this cultural oasis spans over 120 acres, featuring lush botanical gardens, captivating art collections, and a world-renowned research library. Boasting diverse landscapes, from the serene Japanese Garden to the vibrant Desert Garden, the Huntington Library provides a picturesque backdrop for both professional and amateur photoshoots, making it a sought-after location for capturing unforgettable moments and creating stunning visual narratives.

In addition to the botanical gardens and other natural attractions, The Huntington Art Museum offers a rich cultural experience for art aficionados. Take a tour/visit/explore an extensive collection of portraits and artwork in the art museum galleries, which house a remarkable collection of European and American art that spans over several centuries, or explore special exhibits at the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery.

Whether you’re looking to have a Huntington Library photoshoot, Huntington Library wedding & engagement photos, or explore all that the Huntington Library has to offer—there is so much more than meets the eye when visiting the Huntington Library!

Feel free to contact me, RayCee the Artist, at raycee@rayceeartist.com to book a photoshoot and get your very own Huntington Library photos!

Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram and YouTube!

Huntington Art Gallery/Art Museum

The Huntington Art Gallery/Art Museum in San Marino, CA is a stunningly beautiful place to visit. It contains an extensive collection of historical and international works of art. Currently, the Huntington Art Gallery showcases around 1,200 European art pieces, spanning from the 15th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Experience extraordinary art from around the world (such as British and European art, American art, and Asian art) at The Huntington Art Gallery, where you can marvel over decorative arts and folk pieces, view exquisite paintings and drawings, appreciate breathtaking photography displays, or simply be inspired by captivating sculptures.

Japanese Garden

The Huntington Library features a breathtaking Japanese Garden that offers great photoshoot opportunities in the spring and summer. The garden has several paths lined with lush foliage, bonsai trees, ponds filled with colorful Koi fish, and bridges connecting two picturesque islands. It’s also graced by blooming cherry blossoms in April.

Jungle Garden

The Jungle Garden is located near the Huntington Art Gallery and features exotic plants from around the world. It's a great spot for an outdoor photoshoot with your family or friends - there are plenty of lush greens and beautiful flowers to capture. The Jungle Garden also includes a stream and waterfall, adding to the tranquil atmosphere of the area. It's a great place for relaxation and reflection, or just to take in nature's beauty.

Desert Garden

The Desert Garden is a photogenic paradise. Set against the stunning backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, it's an ideal place for a photoshoot or for simply enjoying nature's beauty. Its large variety of cacti and succulents adds to its unique charm and makes it perfect for capturing amazing photos. The garden also features a variety of desert plants, many of them rare and threatened species. With its vibrant colors and fascinating plants, the Desert Garden is an unforgettable experience for all who visit. Whether you're looking to take stunning photos or simply enjoy nature's beauty, this garden is sure to provide you with an unforgettable visit.

Chinese Garden

The Chinese Garden is a photogenic place to take pictures. It features a stunning array of exotic plants, flowers, and trees that make for a beautiful backdrop. The garden also has other photoshoot-friendly features like bridges, koi ponds, pagodas, and winding pathways with intricate rock gardens. All of this creates a tranquil atmosphere that makes it an ideal location for photoshoots.

The Chinese Garden also features the Stargazing Tower, which is located atop the highest point in the garden. This exquisite 527-square-foot pavilion offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and the distant mountains.

Shakespeare Garden

The Shakespeare Garden is located between The Huntington Art Gallery and the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery. Leading to the Rose Garden, this extraordinary garden features plants associated with some of William Shakespeare's most beloved plays, sonnets, and works. You'll find pansies straight from Hamlet, a pomegranate tree named in Romeo & Juliet, violets mentioned in A Midsummer Night's Dream, daffodils from A Winter’s Tale, and even daisies inspired by Love’s Labour's Lost.

Subtropical Garden

The Subtropical Garden is a four-acre hillside garden on the Raymond Hill earthquake fault is a remarkable place. On its south-facing slope, you'll find a range of plants from mild climates that can tolerate an occasional light frost - trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs to provide color all year round. Check out Gladiolus dalenii for some autumn splendor in October and November. The twigs of the golden trumpet tree (Tabebuia chrysotricha), bare in winter, are densely covered with fine, matted golden-brown hairs. When spring makes its grand entrance, the tree comes alive in a blaze of cheerful golden-yellow. Its twigs are bursting with beautiful blooms!

Australian Garden

The Australian Garden is a five-acre paradise located below and alongside the Subtropical Garden. This area was once filled with Washington Navel orange trees, only to be replaced in the 1940s by 1,000 eucalyptus from U.S Department of Agriculture for timber testing purposes - until it became an overgrown fire hazard in the 1960s! Over time these remarkable specimens were carefully thinned out while other native plants were planted between them; giving birth to a lush escape which opened its gates to the public back in 1964.

Rose Garden Tea Room

The Rose Garden Tea Room is an elegant tea room that provides a beautiful backdrop and an unforgettable experience. Guests can enjoy high tea service with all the trimmings, including scrumptious sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and more, all served on vintage china. Room decorations include beautiful rose-themed accessories, creating a romantic and charming atmosphere that is perfect for photoshoots. Whether it’s an engagement photoshoot or a family photoshoot, this tea room offers the ideal setting to capture those special moments.

The Conservatory

The Conservatory at the Huntington Library is a photogenic paradise. With its lush tropical vegetation, colorful flowers, and winding pathways, it's no surprise that it has become a popular spot for photoshoots. Whether you're looking for an intimate photoshoot of two or a larger group photoshoot with friends and family, the Conservatory provides the perfect backdrop for capturing special memories.

Huntington Library Wedding/Huntington Gardens Wedding

Having a Huntington Library wedding/Huntington Gardens wedding is a unique and special experience. With its beautiful grounds and botanical gardens, this stunning venue provides a romantic setting for an unforgettable wedding ceremony. Not only will couples find themselves surrounded by lush greenery, but they'll also have access to the library's spectacular art collection that includes world-class masterpieces of British and European art, American art, and Asian art. Moreover, you can customize your own dream wedding with the help of the experienced staff who are dedicated to making sure your day goes flawlessly. Whether you’re looking for a traditional or more modern celebration, getting married at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens ensures that it will be a truly special event!

Moreover, hosting your wedding at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens means having the option of adding a magical touch to your celebration. Couples can choose to have their wedding in one of the many beautiful botanical gardens, including the Japanese Garden and Desert Garden, which will make for some truly stunning photos. No matter where you decide to get married, one thing is for sure: you'll be surrounded by breathtaking beauty and create memories that will last a lifetime!

So if you're looking for a unique and memorable venue for your special day, then consider getting married at Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino CA. With its stunning grounds, incredible art collection, and experienced staff ready to help customize your dream wedding day, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Huntington Library Tickets

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino CA are normally open 10 am to 5 pm every day except Tuesdays. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens are closed on Tuesdays.

Huntington Library Tickets

Adults

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens offers tickets to adults for $25 on weekdays, and $29 on weekends.

Seniors, Military, Students

For seniors (age 65 and over), prices are $21 on weekdays and $24 on weekends. This pricing also applies to military and students.

Children

Children aged 4 to 11 are charged $13, and children under the age of 4 get admission into The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens for free.

Huntington Library Free Day

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens offers Huntington Library Free Day tickets which can be used on the the first Thursday of every month. Admission is free of charge with advance reservation. Huntington Library Free Day tickets are available to the public on the last Thursday of every month for admission the following week.

There is a limit of 5 tickets per household per year, and the ticket is only valid on your selected day. Also, your arrival is required within one hour of your ticket time.

Advice for Photographers

Are you a photographer looking for stunning outdoor photoshoot locations in Los Angeles to have your next photoshoot? If so, you should definitely consider The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in the Los Angeles area (San Marino) of Southern California. With its beautifully manicured botanical gardens and impressive architecture, the Huntington Library is a popular spot for photographers of all levels. Here are some tips to help photographers make the most of their Huntington Library photoshoot and capture amazing Huntington Library photos!

Pick a Day When the Huntington Library Will Be Relatively Empty

If you’re looking to have an intimate Huntington Library photoshoot in San Marino CA with minimal distractions, the best time is typically Monday through Thursday. Avoid Fridays, weekends, and days when school groups are visiting or festivals are being held on the grounds. Contact library staff ahead of time to find out if there will be any special events that affect your photoshoot. Mondays tend to be slightly less crowded than other days. If possible, book a photoshoot during the opening hours so that you don’t miss out on capturing any early morning fog settled among rose gardens or illuminated sculptures. Even though Huntington Library is typically a popular tourist spot, with some planning you can find yourself surrounded by low foot traffic for your perfect Huntington library photoshoot.

Bring a Tripod for Stability and to Avoid Camera Shake

If you are planning a Huntington Library photoshoot, investing in a tripod is one of the best ways to enhance your images. Tripods provide essential stability for cameras, ensuring that pictures are crisp, clear, and free of unwanted blur. They eliminate "camera shake," or the slight trembling that happens when you hold a camera in your hands, which can impact the overall quality of an image. Tripods come in many different sizes, so look for one that will fit into your bag without taking up too much space. The added stability gained from having a tripod will make all the difference during your Huntington Library photoshoot! It can be the key to capturing beautiful photos. So make sure to throw a tripod in your bag before you head out and watch as your pictures turn out crystal clear!

Use a Wide-Angle Lens to Capture as Much of the Scene as Possible

If you are headed out for a photoshoot at the Huntington Library, one of the most important decisions you'll make is which lens to use. While telephoto and portrait lenses are great for really making a subject stand out from the background, it's difficult to capture an entire scene or large landscape with only one telephoto focal length. That's why a wide-angle lens can come in so handy. This type of lens is designed to capture as much of the scene as possible in one shot, making it perfect for fitting an entire library interior into the frame. Those wanting to capture rolling hills and Big Sur-like vistas in the background will also enjoy a wider view than what they would get with other lenses, helping to give their images much more context and establishing atmosphere. A wide-angle lens can take your photography up several notches no matter where you're shooting!

Shoot in RAW Format for Maximum Quality

If you're looking to capture every subtle detail in a photo, shooting in RAW format is the way to go. With RAW files, you can control image quality and give yourself more flexibility in post-processing. When conducting my own Huntington Library photoshoot, shooting in RAW allowed me to bring out the most complex colors and textures of an image. RAW files save all the original color data with no modifications at all. This means that when editing, you can easily adjust color tones and exposure levels to make sure your Huntington Library photos look their very best. In addition, creating adjustment layers when working with JPEGs can often result in a slight loss of quality, whereas this isn't typically an issue when manipulating RAW images. All things considered, if you want maximum quality from your Huntington Library photoshoot photos, make sure to shoot in RAW format whenever possible.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to take amazing Huntington Library photos at the Huntington Library in San Marino CA, it's time to put your knowledge into action! I hope you'll be able to capture stunning images at one of America's most beautiful landmarks!

If you would like to schedule a Huntington Library photoshoot or Huntington Library wedding for yourself, feel free to contact me at raycee@rayceeartist.com! You are sure to love all of your Huntington Library photos!

Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram and YouTube!

-RayCee the Artist