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We absolutely did not want the beach, either! We were actually in Orange County, but we took ours at a library (I'm a librarian) and then in the surrounding park. (Huntington Beach Central Library, if you're interested.) The shots in the park came out very nicely. We really didn't have a clue what we wanted, pose-wise, but our photographer handled it all. I highly recommend a nature preserve or even just a park. I don't think the Huntington lets you do e-pictures there; I'm almost positive you need to have on a wedding dress... they're so strict!
But what about Griffith observatory. Or, one place I always wanted pictures was in the Rose Garden at Exposition Park (where the museums are). Good luck!
Griffith Observatory would be beautiful, especially at sunset/dusk!
What about downtown LA? This isn't too nature-y, but there are great urban landscapes, esp. in the arts/toy districts (esp. by 2nd and Los Angeles) -- lots of beautiful vibrant graffiti that really is more art than graffiti. There's also the Disney Concert Hall. The lawn/gardens by the Central Library in dt LA would also be really gorgeous, and nature-y too! Pasadena City Hall would be really pretty too. It's a beautiful building, and the courtyard is very pretty -- lots of old trees.
I've heard that it's really difficult to shoot at the Huntington Library/gardens. I had a friend who took his e-pics there, but their photographer had to sneak in every single shoot and it was a bit of a hassle -- but the pictures were gorgeous!
A place I LOVE is Descanso Gardens in La Canada. They charge a pretty substantial photography fee ($300 for 1-10 people) which is too much for me, but if you can afford it the place is gorgeous! Sooo many different areas/settings to chose from.
The Griffith Park Observatory is a wonderful setting for photographs, but it can get very crowded. I don't know if commercial photography is allowed there without a fee.
Many of the nature places I know of around my part of LA are now burnt to the ground. If you are willing to drive, and so is your photog, why not head up to the Sierras? Sequoia national park is only a three hour drive away, and it's one of my favorite places.
Good luck!
I can think of some great locations, but they won't work this week because of the smoke. I imagine you'd like some sky in your pictures, not just falling ash. :( Griffith Park Observatory would be great, but I'm pretty sure it's very smokey up there, too. And Descanso Gardens is right next to the fires.
If you can make the trip, there are some good hiking trails around Santa Barbara that might make good backdrops for your pictures.
The canals near Venice Beach. And though Venice Beach is a beach, it has so many cool/funky nonbeach backdrops for pics!
Hi! We did our e-pic session at the Huntington Botanical Gardens and it was BEAUTIFUL! They have soo many different breathtaking gardens. They do say they charge photography fees, but we didn't pay any. All we paid for was the entry fee and we had no problem at all! I think as long as you don't make a BIG production out of it, they have no problems with you taking pictures there. I do recommend trying to do it on a weekday so you don't have to worry about the crowds. Let me know if you have any other questions!
ok, I REALLY wanna do them at the Huntington Botanical Gardens too! I was thinking the same thing- Im actually a photograpgher too, so I was thinking we could maybe say we're doing it for a class project if we get caught.... So fill me in @sjcn16! Did your photog use any reflectors or excess photog gear that would make it a bit more obvious? When did you do it? We were thinkin in the late afternoon wed... Im so happy you said you did it there cause i really want to but they said there was a $750 fee!!!!! I was also worried the Griffith Park would be too smokey from the fires if we went up there...
ooh fun! I am a photographer (and October bride to be)...
Let's see...nature but not beachy...that makes me think of the canyons (Beachwood, Runyon, Malibu). There isn't too much in the way of parks in LA but here's what I suggest: go to eventful.com or going.com and see what events are coming up soon. Do any catch your eye? Carnivals have been done a ton but they are so amazing. If you have a really strong photographer and you want to focus on capturing moments/angles, stuff like that, then the backdrop isn't quite as important. Is there a place that is significant to you both?
I second the Venice Canals, so cool. We did our's at the Getty Center. Not nature-y at all, but they really turned out amazing!
Also, are you sure you don't want to change the date? The smoke from the fires is so bad, I don't know anything about photography but that probably doesn't make for great conditions.
kcolbyd, i sooo totally recommend you do them at the gardens. we were kinda nervous too at first, but we had no problems whatsoever. there are some docents that sporadically come around, and saw us taking pics, but didn't say anything at all. we did our pics on a wednesday morning close to opening time, and it was perfect because there were hardly any people around. my photog had her camera bag with her cameras and extra lenses. we had agreed that if anyone asks, we would say we were just friends taking pics. let me know if you have any other questions!
But you wanted nature...sorry: I love Wilderness Park in Arcadia. It's not overtaken by fires right now, but it's pretty smokey. Also at Chantry Flats in Arcadia there is a waterfall after an easy hike. Also in Arcadia (and I don't think they have a photography fee) is the Arboretum! Such a classic. There are sooo many places there.
Can you tell where my hometown is?
Both the new and the old Getty museums are beautiful. I've seen lots of cool photos taken at the Disney Concert Hall downtown, because those wavy steel walls are amazing both up close and far away.
How about Long Beach down by the Marina. Here are some shots for you I took. 
the Getty Center! It is an amazing modern museum perched on top of a hill overlooking LA with lots of wilderness around it.
at one of the hiking trails near a waterfall http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/california-southern-california.html
UCLA they have great architecture
Walking around the streets of Hollywood
the vintage looking restaurant stand The Neptune near Malibu
The streets of Rodeo
old town pasadena
I second Griffith Park and Exposition Park
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We're going Wednesday to take our engagment shots and Im looking for some cool places- I love the Huntington Botanical Gardens, but I think they charge a photography fee (besides entry fee) . I love nature, but NO BEACH. Way too overplayed here. Help! I also heard there are some cool spots by the Hollywood sign- likin the nature ideas I think...