Los Angeles is one of the few cities that have a serious art museum, a Pacific sunset, a theme park castle, and a perfectly painted wall all fighting for space on the same camera roll. The best photos in LA come from more than just trend-chasing; they come from using the city’s theatrical backdrops to explore.
Start your photo tour at Urban Light, outside of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard. It was created by Chris Burden, and is made up of rows of restored street lamps. It is an LA classic, and the rows are so symmetrical that even a simple portrait looks well composed. Urban Light is really beautiful at night, and be prepared to wait for your shot.
If you want the best view in the city, go to Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory. The park goes all the way up into the hills, and the 1935 opened Observatory has exhibitions, telescopes, and an amazing view of the city. If you want to get the best shot of the city, go during sunset. This makes the park seem cinematic.
You can’t go to LA without seeing the Hollywood sign. The sign is located on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills, and is one of the most iconic American symbols. The sign is best viewed from afar, as it is better to see it as part of the landscape rather than an overpowering backdrop.
Santa Monica Pier is reminiscent of classic Southern California beach culture. Located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, it's a beach boardwalk and amusement park venue with restaurants and a giant Ferris wheel over the ocean. Sure, it's touristy but that's a big part of its charm. Walk past the busy spots and let the changing light on the shoreline do the rest.
With a simple design, the Paul Smith pink wall located at 8221 Melrose Ave is one of the most popular Instagram spots in Los Angeles. The wall is simple but effective. You’ll want to wear something with contrasting colors. Keeping the rest of the composition minimal will make the wall more effective than other elaborate backdrops.
Located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, The Getty Center is an excellent example of the way Los Angeles can combine architecture, gardens, art, and views into one seamless experience. The collection is worth the trip alone, but its terraces and hilltop views also make it one of the most picturesque spots in the city. The best photographs are often found at The Getty Center after stepping away from the most common viewpoints.
Located at 189 The Grove Drive, The Grove is an outdoor shopping center near the historic Farmers Market. It is beautifully designed, offering shopping, dining, and people-watching. Holiday decorations make it especially festive.
In Downtown, the Broad Art Museum at 221 South Grand Avenue, is a museum where both the building and the collection are equally photogenic. Opened in 2015, the Broad Museum is named after the Philanthropist Eli Broad and houses the Broad Collection. The museum offers free access to its permanent collection galleries, so when you take some time to appreciate the art rather than use it as a backdrop, the most favorite ones will be in the rooms that contain some of the most favorite ones including Yayoi Kusama's mirrored installations where art rewards more than just photography.
An original listed stop on the original itinerary, OUE Skyspace LA located at 633 West 5th Street shows the appeal of looking down on Los Angeles from above. Its open air deck shows the sweeping views over downtown and the rest of the city proving LA's scale best from above.
Beverly Hills is the most polished part of the city. While designer shops, pristine roads, and fancy dining create a luxurious atmosphere, the surrounding streets are also worth exploring. Beverly Hills has a lot of visual appeal beyond the obvious store fronts.
Disneyland Resort located at 1313 Disneyland Drive in Anaheim is considered a major trip in Southern California despite it not being a part of Los Angeles. It opened in 1955 and is the first Disney theme park. It has famous attractions, shows starring Disney characters, and a castle that has become a must-have photo backdrop. Expect large crowds and long lines, and clear your schedule so you can spend the entire day at the park.
Lastly, check out the “Made in LA” sign at Cisco Home, 8025 Melrose Avenue. Like the nearby pink wall, this sign is a quintessential piece of Melrose’s photo-friendly street culture. If you combine this photo stop with some time spent in the neighborhood’s cafés, restaurants, and shops, it becomes more than just a quick pic next to a wall.
Los Angeles is best photographed when you stop trying to document your presence in a particular location and allow each neighborhood to showcase what they do best. Neighborhoods are glamorous, quirky, bright, art-centric, and always ready to be photographed. Be sure to check the official website for hours and information as they do change.
