Los Angeles Engagement Photography Itinerary

Los Angeles'The City of The Angels'offers many wonderful places to capture this milestone in your lives. Here are three very different suggestions for itineraries to help you choose the perfect location for your engagement photography session.

Engagement Photography in the Heart of Los Angeles

A destination in of itself, colorful and vibrant Olvera Street is a world-famous Mexican-style marketplace lined with lovely cafes, restaurants and gift shops. Take a stroll down one of the oldest streets in Los Angeles and have your photographer capture spontaneous moments as you imagine yourselves south of the border. Share a sweet or savory treat from one of the many stands that sell traditional Mexican delicacies, and if you're here on a weekend enjoy the music of strolling Mariachis and romantic balladeers. You'll find secluded spaces for close intimate shots together in the quaint and picturesque settings at two of the city's oldest buildings ' the Avila Adobe and Sepulveda House. Then take a walk down to the south end of Olvera Street where you'll find Olvera Plaza and many more opportunities to capture your romance through the lens.

Next on your itinerary is a visit to L.A.'s very own Chinatown. Begin your session at Central Plaza on N. Broadway and look for the quaint walkways, spectacular Chinese architecture and tiny shops that offer up many opportunities to capture shared moments that will last a lifetime. Next stop is the Taoist Temple ' a surprising and captivating place to capture serene and idyllic images. This ornately decorated temple is one of the loveliest structures of its kind and offers many unique settings to create timeless photos.

Just a short drive away, you can wrap up your session at Little Tokyo, a unique destination that offers many quaint settings. Start at San Pedro and First Street and stroll down quaint Onizuka Street. Make sure you don't miss the Otani Hotel gardens and the stunning display of natural beauty that surrounds you, bathed in soft light that inspires romantic closeups. A short walk down Onizuka brings you to a sculpture called The Friendship Knot, where your photographer can capture the two of you by this symbol of unity as you begin your journey together. Just down San Pedro St. you can wrap up your session at the stunning and award-winning Irvine Japanese Garden ' a feast for the senses and a delightful place to take many outstanding engagement pictures.

Engagement Photography Session at Iconic Locations in Hollywood

For a fun twist to traditional engagement photography, start your session at the world-famous Mann's Chinese Theatre and be prepared to pose like movie stars ' while you literally stand in their footsteps! You and your fianc'e can picture yourselves as Hollywood royalty and indulge in playful moments while your photographer captures you and your fianc'e with the authentic Chinese temple bells, pagodas and other artifacts in the background that lend this distinctive location its flair. From here simply stroll around and indulge in fun and spontaneous shots with classic Theatres like the Pantages, Kodak and Egyptian behind you. And if you're really looking for something out of the ordinary, you may want to keep in mind that at night the marquees and multitudes of lights make this part of the city come alive ' and provide a colorful background palette.

Just a short drive from here and you'll be taking a walk on the wild side as your next destination is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you and your fianc'e can strut your stuff surrounded by the unmistakable backdrops that only L.A. can boast. Pause for playful photos at the Silver Gazebo at the West end of the Walk, featuring the likenesses of Mae West, Dorothy Dandridge, Dolores Del Rio and Anna Mae Wong draped in shimmering evening gowns. Are you having fun yet? You bet! It's easy to capture spontaneous and fun urban shots as you smile for the camera from the heart of the movie capital of the world.

Engagement Photography Session on Mulholland Drive and The Getty Center

For an engagement photo session that captures the grandeur of the city, as well as the depth of culture and architectural panache that L.A. has to offer, first start out by taking a drive up Mulholland Drive east of the 405 Fwy. Pause at a few of the overlooks that offer sweeping vistas and unforgettable photographic opportunities and make sure to keep your eyes open for spontaneous opportunities that might be right around the next corner. If you have the time you can travel the length of this legendary ribbon of road, but if time is of the essence after a few miles it's time to head back the way you came and on to your next destination.

A short drive and a quick shuttle ride bring you back up to the top of the world ' and to an experience that you'll never forget. If you've not been to the Getty Center yet, this is all the excuse you'll need, for it offers truly spectacular settings that you won't find anywhere else. Stunning architecture defines all the built buildings, and the eloquence of the gardens and waterworks lend themselves to images that will always be timeless and captivating. Sweeping vistas take in the entire L.A. Basin and the Pacific Ocean, and on clear days you can see the mountains. The only thing that could possibly make this memorable experience even better would be the gentle kiss of a golden sunset as your photographer captures the love you feel for each other.