Introduction

Los Angeles is a place where creativity intersects with lifestyle, and there are so many Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. From beautiful beaches to street art, LA has it all. Whether you are a tourist, influencer, or someone who simply loves taking photos, the scenery is full of inspiration. No need to worry about lodging, you can use Trivago to quickly and easily find the best hotels to stay at near all of these beautiful spots to take pictures. Here is a resource of the best photo-worthy spots in Los Angeles.

1. Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is an unforgettable landmark that gives every Instagram post good energy and life. The colorful amusement park rides, the Ferris wheel, and the beach backdrop make perfect memories for snaps. Visiting in the early morning results in sunlight that creates a soft sheen for natural shots, and sunsets create an irreplaceable aura. You can capture candid shots of street performers and everyday life at the pier too. Trivago helps you book hotels nearby so you can make it easy to capture this photogenic venue.

2. Venice Beach

Known for its diverse street art, skate parks, and busy boardwalk, Venice Beach is the best place for all your creative pictures. The murals and graffiti walls are perfect for a creative photograph, and the performers kick up the authentic Los Angeles vibe. Getting the sunset in your pictures at Venice Beach will give you some amazing golden hour photographs. Remember to check out the canals nearby for some calm, different pictures that are opposite the chaos of the busy boardwalk.

3. Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park

Griffith Observatory is the greatest photo-taking option for beautiful cityscape photos. Not only can you get a shot with the view of Los Angeles, but you can also get a shot with the well-known Hollywood Sign. In addition to a marvelous view, Griffith Observatory has beautiful architecture, such as classic domes and staircases, which can be great for your photo. The numerous hiking trails in Griffith Park also offer some more natural looking locations for pictures, as well as isolated locations for even more personal shots. If you happen to stay at a hotel nearby, the process is made so much easier, as you can arrive early in the morning with no one there, if you find the hotels nearby in Trivago.

4. The Hollywood Sign

Any guide to taking pictures for Instagram in LA wouldn't be complete without the Hollywood Sign. There are several places to take your pictures from like the Griffith Observatory, or any of the popular hiking trails, such as Mount Hollywood Trail, but some of the best pictures come from adding the city skyline or nature to the pictures. The best place to find a reasonable place to stay is on a website like Trivago, and selecting a hotel that is nearby. That way, you can plan for multiple stops for the occasional Instagram planning photo.

5. Downtown LA and Arts District

If you are a fan of urban photography, you will find many great options in downtown Los Angeles and the Arts District. There are modern buildings, colored murals, and fashionable cafes that will all give your Instagram feed an old-fashioned, contemporary feel. Old brick warehouses versus new glass skyscrapers make photographs more dimensional. There are some great Golden Hour photography opportunities in the downtown streets: the angle of the natural light off your glass building or apartment, beauty shots will yield stunning photographs.

6. Rodeo Drive

If you are a fan of urban photography, you will find many great options in downtown Los Angeles and the Arts District. There are modern buildings, colored murals, and fashionable cafes that will all give your Instagram feed an old-fashioned, contemporary feel. Old brick warehouses versus new glass skyscrapers make photographs more dimensional. There are some great Golden Hour photography opportunities in the downtown streets: the angle of the natural light off your glass building or apartment, and beauty shots will yield stunning photographs.

7. The Getty Center

The Getty Center is not only an art museum, but it is also a photogenic architectural exhibit. The modern architecture, gardens, and expansive city views give it an excellent photography compositional area. You can capture symmetry in architecture or wide-angle photography of the area below. The gardens and other outdoor areas are colorful and calming backdrops for portrait photography.

8. Malibu Beaches

Malibu has some of the prettiest beaches of the Los Angeles area, if not in the state of California. Zuma Beach and El Matador State Beach are particularly popular areas for photography. The combination of the scenic bluffs, rock formations, and turquoise waters makes for dramatic scenic pictures. Visiting either beach early in the morning or at sunset will provide softer lighting for a dreamy type of picture. You can book a place to stay near one of these beaches on Trivago, which will give you an opportunity to visit both beaches as well as potentially additional beaches without having to spend too much of your time driving.

9. LACMA Urban Lights

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is home to “Urban Light,” a well-known installation of restored street lamps that create an enchanting ambiance in the evening. This is one of the most photographed spots in Los Angeles and suits evening or nighttime photographs perfectly. Also, including an outfit that’s simple and/or a posture that seems graceful will improve the aesthetics of this space. Maintaining a hotel in downtown Los Angeles would provide easy access to the museum and allow for multiple photo sessions.

10. Walt Disney Concert Hall

The Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, is certainly one of the most beautiful places to take a look inside for those interested in modern architecture and abstract photography. The metallic curves of the design will reflect differently depending on the time of day, providing a variety of different opportunities to be creative with photos. Close-up shots and wide-angle shots both produce stunning travel photography that you cannot help but share on Instagram. You can find hotels nearby on Trivago, which will allow you to get to the hall during the morning when it is less crowded, to see the building outside and in.

11. Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice is a center of creative street photography. Boutique shops, murals, and trendy cafés create a casual, yet stylish location for lifestyle and fashion photography. Street photographers will be able to picture authentic LA life as they stroll down the boulevard. Trivago will help you simply find accommodations nearby, making it one less thing you need to be logistical about, so you can photograph more!

Tips for Taking the Best Instagram Photos in Los Angeles

• Timing is Important: Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to take advantage of soft, natural light for photography.
• Natural Backgrounds: Use the beach, parks, and even the city as backdrops for your initial photos. You can always avoid elaborate set-ups if you want to keep it simple.
• Use Trivago: Find hotels that are near your favorite photography places - then you will have a better chance of taking that quick trip without losing travel time. It would even allow you to hit two or three places in a single day, another benefit of being able to stay nearby.
• Local - Continue to snap shots of "life" in your own neighborhood. Street performers, local markets, and a small taste of city life will add legitimacy to your IG feed.
• Angles - Take random shots from different angles - topshots, reflections, cityscapes from open-air settings, etc. Do this in order to stand out and have fun trying different angles.

Conclusion