Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos - Los Angeles, Ca - Nick + Nicole
engagement inspired shoot at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California
The Griffith Observatory is a Los Angeles landmark located in Griffith Park near Hollywood that Angelenos and tourists seem to love equally! I met up with Nick + Nicole on a hazy May night for a moody, edgy engagement-inspired couples’ shoot. Griffith Observatory is a perfect blend of nature and architecture, lending itself beautifully to both engagement sessions and elopements!
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where is Griffith Observatory?
This history-rich, art-deco building is located inside Griffith Park, (one of the largest municipal parks in the U.S.) Griffith Park is located in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. The park is just north of Hollywood, easily accessible from the 101 highway. It’s about 30 minutes away from both downtown Los Angeles or Universal Studios, or roughly an hour away from the Los Angeles Airport (but prepare for LA traffic - it can be unpredictable!) The observatory is located on the southern side, near the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Bowl. For a more outdoorsy engagement location in the same general area, check out this adventurous engagement session in the nearby Bronson Canyon!
when to visit Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles has beautiful, sunny weather nearly year-round which means Griffith Observatory can be visited in any season. However you’ll want to consider a few things before you set up your shoot: peak tourism season, busiest times of day, and events at The Observatory or The Greek Theater.
Tourist peak season is June, July, and August. I recommend planning your shoot for March, April, October, or early November if you’re looking for the quintessential “California” vibe. These photos were shot in May, which is known in LA as “May Grey” followed by “June Gloom” - typically the most overcast time of year. I love the way it added so much mood to this shoot and really made Nick and Nicoles’ black outfits pop against the misty sky!
Midday is typically the busiest time for tourists to visit, but the Observatory is fairly busy all day. There was quite a crowd there when I worked with Nick and Nicole, but by using space mindfully we were able to still capture photos that feel intimate and personal!
Events are held throughout the year at both The Observatory and The Greek Theater, which bring in crowds from Southern California and beyond! Prepare for a busy environment and to compete for parking.
what to know about taking engagement photos at Griffith Observatory:
CROWDS AT THE OBSERVATORY
The Observatory has about 1.5 million visitors per year so odds are someone else will be there when you are! If you’re more shy and introverted, this space may be more challenging - I highly recommend either planning your session for sunrise instead of sunset, or heading to one of the trails where you can still see the Observatory without as much of a crowd. Incorporating shots like this along with some shots around the building can add a great variety and give you that respite from the masses if needed during your engagement session. Nick + Nicole quickly acclimated to the groups of onlookers and still managed to only focus on the most important thing: each other.
PARKING AT THE OBSERVATORY
Parking can be really tricky and it’s pretty limited. Many times parking is limited to the street leading up to the Observatory once the upper lot is full - be prepared to pay for parking and to walk roughly a mile. Additional free parking is available at the base of Griffith Park near Trails Cafe. To save the stress of finding parking, I recommend arriving 20-30 minutes before your engagement session begins to hopefully snag a spot in the upper lot.
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY HOURS OF OPERATION
The Observatory is open Tuesday-Sundays, so it can’t be accessed for engagement shoots or elopements on Mondays (even if you aren’t planning to enter the building). Since it is a working astronomy center, check the Observatory’s schedule for events before scheduling! The Greek Theater is located nearby, which means more limited parking on event days.
where to stay in Los Angeles
BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN LOS ANGELES
If you’re headed to Griffith, stop by Thai Town’s Obet and Del’s Coffee, Go Get Em Tiger in Los Feliz, or The Trails Cafe at the base of Griffith Park off of the Fern Dell trail! All of these options are very dog-friendly too! See more dog-friendly Los Angeles coffee shops here.
These two were the most carefree, happy-go-lucky, bold people you’ve ever met.
They played, flirted, and danced without worry and I’ve got pictures to prove it! Now, full disclosure: Nick + Nicole are not engaged (yet). But when you see these photos, it’s easy to imagine how perfect and versatile Griffith Observatory is for engagement photos. It’s a gorgeous and romantic engagement photo location. It’s even a popular elopement location in Los Angeles!
This spot to me is super special because it kind of symbolizes so much about our life in Los Angeles. For years, we lived in a townhome at the base of Griffith Park! I’ll always look back on the patio that faced the observatory with love. It’s where so many hours were spent and I’ll always be grateful to share that special connection with couples celebrating their engagement at Griffith Observatory.
Ready to book an engagement session of your own?
If you enjoyed this session, check out this LA Arts District sunrise session! For even more engagement shoot inspiration and tips, check out these posts!