Pasadena City Hall Engagement Session | Ash & Adrian

Guramrit Malhotra
Aug 18
2 min read

I always, always schedule an engagement session with my wedding clients. It’s not just “extra photos.” It’s training—time to get comfortable in front of the camera, learn simple cues, and build trust so the wedding day flows. With Ashf & Adrian, we chose Pasadena City Hall for its clean light, symmetry, and the number of looks in a small radius.

Why I recommend an engagement session with your wedding photographer

You learn my light tests and micro-prompts (so posing feels natural).
We build a rhythm together—great for timelines and nerves on the day.
You get images that feel like you now, not just on the wedding day.

Best time & light at Pasadena City Hall

For Ashfier and Adrian’s Pasadena City Hall engagement session, we scheduled from 5:00–6:30 PM. The archway, colonnades, and the central fountain each gave us clean light and multiple looks without moving far.

Favorite spots (with quick notes)

Entrance Archway (North dome): Symmetry for the hero frame; perfect open shade.
Central Courtyard: Multiple angles without moving far; easy transitions.
Fountain & Roses: Backlit rim near sunset; add a close detail on the roses.
Arches on all four sides: You can rotate based on crowds/sun and keep the look consistent.
Bridge above the arches: Unique elevated viewpoint for a modern silhouette or clean portrait.
Leftmost tower (top level): Open archway with City Hall in the background—minimal, striking, and a little hidden if you want a quiet moment.
Colonnades & Staircases: Leading lines, layered depth; great for walk-through prompts.