The wedding industry has seen a shift in recent years from big elaborate celebrations towards a more personal approach, elopements. With their rise in popularity, elopements have allowed couples to create unique and lasting memories among the most unforgettable backdrops. Without the hefty price tag. As your exclusive, Pasadena City Hall Photographers, we’ve created the ultimate couples guide to capturing timeless wedding photography.

Now, let’s dive into one of the most iconic landmarks in California.

Pasadena City Hall Lighting Tips

There is a light that shines, special for you and me.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to capturing timeless wedding photography at Pasadena City Hall. If timed just right, the famous SoCal sunlight can make your wedding photos absolutely breathtaking. Now, you have a couple of options when it comes to capturing such lighting. We recommend utilizing the early morning light or sunset – whichever works best with your schedule. Using a sunset calendar, like the one found HERE, will help determine the best time of day for photos.

The early morning light is soft with a slight haze while the light at sunset is golden and timeless. If you have the opportunity to visit Pasadena City Hall prior to your celebration, we highly recommend it. Visit around the same time of day that you plan to get married. This will provide you with an idea of how the natural light flows into the structure at any given time. The stairwells and corridors tend to grow dark the quickest, so utilize these areas while the light is ample.

Pasadena City Hall Photographers Perspective

Showcasing Beaux-Arts architecture, the world renowned, Pasadena City Hall is a wonder. It’s the reason why countless couples flock to the “City of Roses” to tie the knot every year. Showcasing this one of a kind structure throughout your images is a essential for timeless wedding photos. Pasadena City Hall boasts four unique stairwells, each leading to unforgettable vantage points. The Central Rotunda and Dome are, without a doubt, the most famous features of the structure. The gorgeous fountain located at the center of City Hall is the perfect place for portraits and ceremonies. It’s also one of the most popular locations. When space becomes available, we suggests capturing bridal portraits here for an iconic look.

The bridge on the second floor is the best location to feature multiple looks of Pasadena City Hall in one spot. Don’t forget, the ornamental details that abound throughout the municipal building, particularly through the main entrance. Use this location when foot traffic is at a minimum for best possible images. The more unique perspectives your wedding images offer the better. So, make full use of the wonderful architectural details around every corner.

Authenticity is Timeless

There are a million ways to capture the beauty of Pasadena City Hall. However, the timelessness that remains constant throughout the most famous images are the ones filled with authentic laughs and smiles. For this, we recommend poses that are both fun and organic. You can find some amazing inspiration photos on Pinterest. Save the images that speak to you most so you can recreate them during your bridal portraits.

It’s important to remember that while inspiration photos are a great resource, their uniqueness is what makes them timeless. So as you seek to recreate their look, remember to put your twist to it, making it entirely your own new pose. Subtlety goes a long way. Readjust your position, interlock your hands, alternate between who looks at the camera and who looks away. These little readjustments will help in the long run. We find that the most gorgeous photos showcase couples who are comfortable and confident. So, if a pose doesn’t feel comfortable. Or, if it doesn’t feel quite like “you”, perhaps try another pose. This uncomfortableness has a way of showing up in the photos. Follow the golden rule, “If you feel good, you’ll look good”.

Things to Remember

Pasadena City Hall Photographers are familiar with just how popular the area can be. By simply understanding the congestion throughout the building and avoiding the most frequently visited locations during peak hours, you too can help you make your elopement flow smoothly. Minimizing the time spent readjusting on the fly by having a plan of action. Prioritizing specific shots and working down the list of must haves will allow you to approach your bridal portraits efficiently. Additionally, it’s worth noting, City Hall is quite busy during weekends. So, if you can manage it, plan to have your elopement on a weekday. This will result in images that are devoid of numerous background distractions (e.g. quinces, weddings, graduations, engagements, etc.). If you’re a photographer, don’t forget to file your permit!

If we can offer any help whatsoever, it would be our pleasure to talk to you about your Pasadena City Hall Elopement. “Pasadena City Hall: A Couples Guide to Timeless Elopement Photography” is meant to serve as a quick reference guide to couples. If you want to chat about creating a customized experience just for you, feel to contact us HERE. Good luck, friends. And, congratulations on the wonderful journey you’re about to embark on.

Your Pasadena City Hall Photographers,

Vic and Sasha Barrera