This summer I had the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful locations in the Bay Area for grad portraits – come check out this stunner of a San Francisco City Hall photoshoot!
San Francisco City Hall Photoshoot
There is absolutely no shortage of beautiful locations nooks to take photos during a San Francisco City Hall photoshoot. Genuinely, this building has no bad angles, which means that it’s a perfect portrait spot!
Does San Francisco City Hall Require a Photo Permit?
Shockingly, no. You will need to get through security before entering, so plan an extra 10 minutes for that. You will also see many other photoshoots taking place, so be prepared to wait to take your turn!
San Francisco City Hall – a Historic Architecture portrait location
San Francisco City Hall is a stunning historical architecture location for photos. Designed by Arthur Brown Jr of the firm Bakewell and Brown in the Beaux Arts style of the American Architectural Renaissance in the early 1900s, this building opened in 1915 to replace the original city hall that was damaged by an earthquake.
When is the best time for your San Francisco City Hall photoshoot?
Right at opening and right at closing. We managed to get alone time on the grand staircase in the final 10 minutes of the day!
San Francisco City Hall Photos – Outside City Hall
While most people only think about inside the building for San Francisco City Hall photos, Civic Center Plaza right outside shouldn’t be missed for portraits! With beautiful views of the outside of City Hall and its distinctive dome, this plaza and its beautiful leading lines are an ideal spot for portraits.
Okay, let’s talk about these trees! They are English sycamores that are trimmed in a distinct way called pollarding to ensure they all remain the same size. They make a beautiful tree allee that’s perfect for portraits, and the canopy lights and City Hall dome in the distance gild the lily.
Kristen Hazelton is a multi award-winning Chicago, IL and San Francisco Bay Area high school senior, university graduate, and family photographer. She also photographs in San Diego, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, Monterey, CA, and Seattle, WA. She is a firm believer in human rights and welcomes LGBTQ+ and nonbinary clients. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
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