Huntington Gardens Photo Shoot Guide - Los Angeles Wedding and Family Photographer

To schedule a portrait session at the Huntington is a dream for both clients and photographers alike. With over 130 acres of beautiful botanical gardens, you are bound to find something in bloom no matter what time of year your shoot is scheduled. Furthermore, your range of backgrounds goes from manicured rose gardens and ornate bonsai to the wild flower grouping of a lush herb garden. Basically, you can’t go wrong with a shoot at the Huntington. However, a session here is not cheap. In today’s blog post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to schedule a photo shoot here. My Huntington Gardens photo shoot guide will tell you everything from how to get a permit, to where to go (and we’re not to go) to get the best photo in the garden. So, pack your running shoes, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.

Portrait Photography vs. Commercial Photography at the Huntington

Let’s start off with a discussion about types of photography at the Huntington. The Huntington divides photography into two different camps: personal portrait photography and commercial photography. If you are shooting images that will be used for personal, private use only – such as an engagement, proposal, wedding group, graduation, or family portrait – then this type of photo falls into the personal portrait category. Everything else, including photos for blogs, websites, social media platforms, headshots, and portfolio work, is considered commercial.

For this blog post I will mainly be concentrating on the personal portrait photography side of things, but I will discuss commercial photography briefly.

Everything You Need to Know About a Huntington Photo Permit

When to Get a Huntington Photo Permit

To obtain a photography permit, you must request a reservation at least 30 days in advance of your desired day of shooting. There is no such thing as a spontaneous shoot at the Huntington. Reservations are available 6 to 12 months out, and are on a first come, first served basis.

What a Photo Permit at the Huntington Grants You

A portrait session at the Huntington can last up to three hours, and can begin as early as 8:00 a.m. or as late as 3.5 hours before sunset. (Note that the general hours for the Huntington are 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., so this means that your session can begin before the public enters the park.) Sessions can be scheduled on Tuesday, which is when the gardens are closed to the public (and thus the perfect day to have the gardens all to yourself). Furthermore, Huntington Gardens has its Twilight Stroll sessions in the summer which extend the closing hours to 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. on select Sundays.

While specific gardens cannot be reserved, the permit grants you full access to all of the outdoor gardens that are open to the general public. No interior spaces (such as the museum or library) are available for photography.

All portrait sessions will also be assigned a Huntington escort who will be with you the entire photo shoot.

Huntington Photo Permit Pricing

Prepare yourself: a photo permit at the Huntington is not cheap.

	Fee	People	Inclusions & Restrictions
Base Fee	$1,200	5 or fewer	This covers a group of five or fewer including the photographer, is for still photos only, and includes the required Huntington escort. Additional fees apply to larger groups and more complex arrangements. A deposit (usually $300) is required upon booking and is applied to the Session fee. Fees are subject to change without notice.
Groups	$125	6–10	Group maximum is 25 including photographer, videographer, photo assistant, and any other helpers. There is a limit of one still photographer and one non-shooting assistant per session.
	$250	11–15
	$375	16–20
	$500	21–25
Deposit	$300		A non-refundable deposit (usually $300, may be higher for larger groups or peak season dates) is required upon booking. Deposit amount is applied to total fee for Session.
Video	$250		You may bring one videographer and one video camera only.
Golf Cart	$250		Sessions do not include golf carts. Price includes a Huntington driver. Note that only one cart is available.
Rush Fee*	$150		Huntington rush booking fee. A reservation may sometimes be accepted less than 30 days in advance. If requested date is available, a rush fee may apply.

In case you were curious, members do not receive any discounts for photo shoots.

Rules Regarding the Number of People per Photo Session

A few things to note from this pricing list. First, you have to include the photographer in the list of people in your group. So, if you have a family of five plus your photographer, then you already need to move to the 6 to 10 size portrait price range because five family members plus one photographer equals six total people. As clarified by the Huntington in an email, ‘the total includes the photographer(s), any assistants, and all family members even if they are not being photographed.’ So yeah, don’t expect to bring an entourage to your shoot.

Second, the photo shoots are limited to one photographer and one non-shooting assistant per session. Sorry, team photographers – you’re out of luck.

Finally, the maximum group size for a photo shoot is 25. This number includes the photographer, videographer, any assistants and any and all helpers (event planners, mothers-in-law, etc.). The Huntington seeks to ensure that your photo shoot does not interfere with the public’s enjoyment of the gardens, and thus these size limits have been imposed.

The Golf Cart

There is only one golf cart available to rent per day. If there are multiple photo shoots going on in the garden and you absolutely need a golf cart, then make sure to request this when making your reservation.

The golf cart in question seats only three to four passengers, and can only run on asphalt roads. That means no driving on sidewalks or garden pathways.

Commercial Photography Permits

There is an entirely separate system for commercial photo shoots at the Huntington, but here are some quick details to note:

Photo permits are handled through the Huntington, which goes through the City of San Marino. No permits at the Huntington go through FilmLA.
Permits are required for prep, shooting, and strike days.
Student films are required to get a permit.
The cost of a commercial photography permit varies greatly depending upon the project (still photography or motion picture), day of the week, crew size, and work scope.
Filming is allowed on weekdays (including Tuesdays) and occasionally on weekends. Some areas of the garden – such as the Asian Gardens, Conservatory, and Children’s Garden – only allow photography during non-public hours.

Photo Shoot Rules at the Huntington

In addition to any specifics I may have mentioned above, here are a few rules to keep in mind for your photo shoot at the Huntington Gardens:

No drones are allowed, period.
The garden requires a certificate of insurance, to be provided by the photographer.
The entire group must enter the garden at the same time and stay together during the session. So, if anyone in your group is late to the session, s/he will make everyone late.
Onsite dressing and grooming anywhere on the property is prohibited. You must come dressed for the photo shoot, but you can request to make a wardrobe change if you make the request in advance.

The following is expressly forbidden:

Standing in or placing equipment in plant beds.
Touching, standing, or sitting on statues.
Standing or wading in fountains or ponds or standing on fountain edges.
Picking or cutting flowers or forcing your way through hedges or bushes.
Climbing or sitting on trees or attaching anything to them.
Moving benches or other seating.
Removing any signs.
Stepping over or move any barriers.

How to Book a Session

The first step towards booking a portrait session at Huntington Gardens is to send an email to PortraitPhoto@Huntington.org. Once your date and time have been requested, a booking request form will be sent to you via email for you to complete and return.

After completing the request form, the garden will then send you a contract with full payment details.

The Best Photo Shoot Locations at the Huntington

Children’s Garden

For family photos, the Children’s Garden is a lovely interactive garden. From fountains that sputter to cool playground equipment plus plenty of niches for family photos in between, the Children’s Garden has it all. You’ll be able to get plenty of documentary-style photos that can get the whole family involved lots of colorful flowers in the background. This is one area where it will pay to shoot on a Tuesday when you have the entire garden to yourself, away from other families and children.

Building Exteriors and Walkways

While you cannot take photos inside any of the interior spaces at the Huntington, it’s important to remember that the pathways leading to the galleries are beautifully landscaped. In the spring and summer, the pathway between the Conservatory for Botanical Science and the Scott Galleries of American Art is planted with magnificent wildflowers. You can take any number of photos along the pathways here as long as you are not obstructing the way of others.

Always remember, just because you can’t shoot inside the building, this does not mean you can’t use the exterior of a building for your photo. Case in point, the gorgeous Huntington Art Gallery building. This building is a dream to photograph at golden hour.

Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is a dream romantic destination if there ever was one. The vine covered trellises covered in luscious blooms is the stuff of Instagram dreams. A few things to note before you fall in love here. This is a very seasonal garden, so if you want to take photos here, plan your shoot for summer. Also, this is one of the most popular gardens at the Huntington, so prepare to pack your patience. Finally, know that this garden is in direct sun. There are areas around the edge of the garden with shade, but most of the roses themselves need to be photographed either early in the morning or late in the afternoon so that you avoid the harsh overhead sun.

One more thing: while the Rose Garden is not to be missed, make sure you pay special attention to the Herb Garden, located just to the left of the tea room. The Herb Garden has a diverse collection of greenery, and there’s usually always something colorful growing here, even if the roses are out of season.

Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden is Disneyland for gardeners. If this is one of your first choices for photos, I would run – don’t walk – to take photos here first. Due to the narrow pathways and the fact that it is a small, compact venue, I would try to take photos here first if it all possible.

This area suffers greatly from dappled light, so it’s important that you take photos here as early in the morning or as late in the day as possible. Your best photos are going to be found when you take photos across from the lake so that you can have enough distance between you and your subject. Finally, note that you cannot walk on the large bridge, but you can shoot through it for artistic effect.

While most of your photos will probably be taken around the center lake, don’t forget to check out the long passage way leading to the Japanese Garden. This pathway can be found if you walk past the Japanese Garden along the creek headed towards the Chinese Garden on the main path. This pathway is a lot less crowded and you can get several lantern shots here.

Chinese Garden

The same rules apply in the Chinese Garden as with the Japanese Garden. You have narrow passage ways, and it will be difficult to take people out of your background. Taking photos here can be a joy or a pain, depending upon the time of day and the crowd level. On my first visit to the gardens, I visited first thing in the morning during the week. You would think that would save me from crowds, but it did not. My second visit was during the twilight stroll in late afternoon with less crowds and better lighting. It was a much better experience.

While most people concentrate on the bridges surrounding the pond, don’t forget about the topiary terrace at the top of the gardens. This area tends to be much more private, and to me, much more interesting photographically speaking.

Great Lawn

In between the Australian Garden and the lily ponds is a great lawn. This area is perfect for picnic shots or large bridal party photos. In addition to the space necessary for group photos, you also have a quaint little sculpture in the background if you are looking for a fancy touch of whimsy.

North Vista Sculpture Garden

Continuing in the fancy touch of whimsy vein is the North Vista Sculpture Garden which has two rows of classical sculptures leading to a large fountain. The garden can be found behind the Huntington Art Gallery Building. This is another great area for group photos.

Lily Ponds

The Lilly Pond area is very calm and peaceful. The water makes for some great reflective shots. In addition, this section of the garden is surrounded by huge evergreen trees and bamboo, which is perfect for group shots or for portrait backgrounds. You also have a good deal of open space if you need to let the little ones run around and get some energy out. Late afternoon just prior to sunset is definitely the best time to shoot here.

Desert Garden

The most underappreciated garden in my opinion is the Desert Garden. If you’ve got a stylized look for your wedding gown or engagement shoot, then to me, the Desert Garden is just the background you need. The modern shapes and cool design of the cacti seem to be an easy match for modern couples looking for an interesting and quirky backdrop in a traditional garden setting.

Where NOT to Take Photos at the Huntington

The Australian Garden

Sorry, Australia, but your native gardens at Huntington just didn’t really do it for me. Not that the flora wasn’t lovely in a natural sort of way, but the naked dirt ground was less than appealing. The garden just kind of looks like an abandoned lot. That said, this is probably one of the least popular gardens, so if you do want privacy, this is a good place to go.

The Jungle Garden

I’m a tropical plant parent, so as much as it pains me to say this, the Jungle Garden is not a great place to take photos. The problem is that you’re really just taking photos in the pathway or on a bench. There is a waterfall, but you can’t really take a good photo either above or below. So, you basically have a few cool vertical shots in the garden and that’s it. I would go to another garden that gives you a few more options in terms of angles.

Huntington Photo Shoot Tips

In regards to photo shoot tips at the Huntington, the same advice applies here as I will have mentioned in my previous botanical garden articles. (Check out my last blog post on the Descanso Gardens here.) Here’s a quick recap:

Planning Tips

Plan your shoot for a Tuesday. The Huntington is pretty much always filled to capacity with visitors. Even if you schedule your session for a Monday morning, you are bound to have plenty of visitors in the background of your shot. As such, I would schedule your shoot for a Tuesday when the garden is closed to visitors. It may be inconvenient to take a day off from work, but for the price of a photo permit here, it’s worth it to have the garden all to yourself.

Make a plan with your photographer ahead of time. This is one place that you cannot ‘wing it.’ The Huntington Gardens covers over 130 acres. However, you are only allowed three hours for your photo shoot. That’s not enough time to take photos everywhere, so you need to have a game plan. Select your top two gardens ahead of time, with a third garden as an extra add-on if you have time. My advice is that you select gardens that are near to one another so that you do not waste time in transit.

Know what is in bloom. If your top priority is to take photos in the Rose Garden, then you need to make sure you have scheduled your session in the summer when the roses are actually open. The Huntington Gardens website conveniently has a list of what is flowering every month. This is accurate to a degree, so I still recommend that you…

Visit the garden ahead of your shoot. There is no better way to get a clear idea of what the garden will look like for your portrait session than to visit the venue. As I do with all of my photo shoots, I make a visit to the venue at least two weeks prior to the shoot at about the same time of day as the session. This allows me to check the light and crowd level. When you visit the venue, check the flora, but also make sure that you have enough time to get from point A to point B. Unless you have purchased a golf cart, you don’t want to be scrambling from garden to garden. And by the way, site tours and discounted admission for photographers to visit the gardens are not provided.

Tips for the Day of Your Shoot

Wear comfortable shoes. You can certainly dress up when the camera is rolling, but to get from place to place, I recommend you dress in comfort from the ankles down.

Bring what you need for touchups. While there are many restrooms located in Huntington Gardens, it may be more convenient to check your make up on the fly during the shoot. Bring a mirror and whatever you need to fix your hair and makeup. Prepare for heat and humidity or wind since you will be outdoors.

Prepare the little ones. This goes for big ones as well, but always bring snacks, water, and whatever else you need to keep your kids entertained during a photo shoot. I always say that any photo shoot can be saved with a handful of goldfish crackers.

Final Thoughts

If the cost of a Huntington Gardens photo permit made you drop your phone while reading this blog, then perhaps you have not visited the gardens lately. Yes, it is a steep price to pay. However, the Huntington is truly a paradise on earth. It is a once in a lifetime portrait experience that might just be worth the cost, especially if the Huntington is a place you frequent as a family. And if you’re looking for a photographer who knows the place inside and out, now you know who to call.

Enjoy the images and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!

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If you found this Huntington Gardens photo shoot guide useful, then check out these related posts:

Looking for a Los Angeles photographer for your proposal, engagement shoot, or family portrait? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how we can creatively collaborate.

To view more images from my portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com