Inspired by La La Land

Griffith Observatory is one of the most iconic and picturesque spots in all of Los Angeles, so it’s no surprise that having engagement photos here produces some stunning results. If you love history; Griffith Observatory was built in 1935 as a way to make astronomy more accessible to the public (yeah, big fan). You might recognize it from films such as La La Land and Adele’s 2021 Concert Special.

Kristyne and Nick wanted their post-wedding photos done at the Observatory, so we spent some time during golden hour capturing all the best views of Los Angeles! I’ve photographed Kristyne and Nick many times over the years, so there was a special familiarity with getting to photograph them together, but this time post wedding celebrations! I love that they channeled their best La La Land, Emma Stone/Ryan Gosling looks, which really fit the vibe of the space.

How to prepare for a Griffith Observatory photoshoot:

Choose a weekday, if possible. There will be significantly less crowds. But people will be there, so be patient!
Golden hour or Sunrise? That depends on you, but I always think Golden Hour offers the warmest lighting and will feel very “LA.”
Get dressed up. I think the elegant-ness of the observatory lends itself to dressing up a bit, so if it fits with your personality – wear something fun!
Make a date of it. If you’ve spent time curating the perfect outfit, go out afterwards! Spend some time in LA and grab a drink nearby to make it a fun day.

These two photos above were taken on my Canon AE-1 film camera. If you are interested, you can add film rolls to your session for some really unique and special shots to enhance your gallery!