Cicada Club Wedding Photography, Los Angeles | Ruth & Ken

I’m a tad nervous writing this post, since Ken is a professional screenwriter himself! Thank goodness for spellcheck. =)  Ruth and Ken are fun and spontaneous couple (as you can see from their photos). They are not shy in being silly with each other and are all about having a good time. They rented a party bus and shuttled us all around downtown Los Angeles for wedding photos. Instead of shooting the popular Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ruth and Ken wanted to explore the more unique areas of Downtown LA.  We did some stylish and creative photos around the Art District area. It was pretty hot day but everyone were troopers and we got some awesome photos. So keep reading on forward to see our Cicada Club wedding photography!

Their wedding ceremony and reception was at the ever-classic Cicada Club in Downtown Los Angeles (right near Pershing square, in the thick of it all).  It’s a venue reminiscent of the roaring 20’s, with a towering ballroom laced in gold and brown tones of art deco.  The ballroom feels more like New York than Los Angeles. One of the reasons that Ruth and Ken chose us is for our ability to light such a dark and textured room. We had three different lighting setups for capturing both their wedding ceremony and reception at Cicada.

Ruth & Ken’s wedding was also very special to me in that it’s our very first time collaborating with our associate videography team. That’s right… JG Photography is now offering associate videography. =) For couples (like Ruth and Ken) who wanted both myself and Gavin as photographers, but don’t want to pass up on our artistic videography style, check out our associate videography team. Steven (my brother) and his friend Efrain have been learning under our us for a while now. I’m so happy and proud of them for shooting this first wedding video (solo from us). Don’t forget to click play and check out their awesome video from ES filmworks.

And thank you Christine Tran for coordinating such a perfect and flawless wedding day!! It was such a pleasure and we look forward to working with your team again. I also want to thank Richard (manager at Cicada) and his team for being so sweet, friendly, and helpful. We really can’t do it without an amazing vendor team!!

Wedding Preparation at the Hilton Checkers

The Hilton Checkers is right in the middle of downtown Los Angeles and is a perfect preparation location for the Cicada Club.

Hilton Checkers Front Entrance
Hilton Checkers Front Entrance
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography

Ken is in deep thought as he’s perfecting his wedding vows.

Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography Details
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography Details
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography

Some photographers complain that cellphones at weddings are the bane of their existence.  We try to incorporate and capture that in our photos, since when would you get those faces so candidly!

Hilton Checkers Wedding Photos
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photos
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography

This is a photo of a photo of a photo of our bride.  I heard that no one has gone four levels deep and come back to talk about it (I call it “piception”). LOL

Hilton Checkers Wedding Preparation
Hilton Checkers Wedding Preparation

First look at the Hilton Checkers

We decided to do the first look on the rooftop lounge of the Hilton Checkers Hotel. It’s got an AMAZING view of downtown Los Angeles.  One thing we’ve always believed in doing is showing off the location that our couples pay for.  So if it’s in Hawaii, we make it capture Hawaii.  If it’s in the heart of Los Angeles, we want to capture that too.

Hilton Checkers First Look
Hilton Checkers First Look
Hilton Checkers First Look
Hilton Checkers First Look
Hilton Checkers First Look
Hilton Checkers First Look

Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography

This is where having lights makes all the difference in the world.  That day was a little humid for Southern California, but we got a textured sky in return for it.

Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Photography
Hilton Checkers Wedding Bridal Party
Hilton Checkers Wedding Bridal Party
Hilton Checkers Wedding Bridal Party
Hilton Checkers Wedding Bridal Party
Hilton Checkers Wedding Bridal Party
Hilton Checkers Wedding Bridal Party

Art District in downtown Los Angeles

Wedding Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Art District Los Angeles

I love goofy moments between our couples!

Wedding Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Art District Los Angeles

While in the arts district, we wanted to capture the look and feel of the location.  This had a bit of a street photography look to it.

Wedding Photography Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Photography Art District
Wedding Photography Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Photography Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Photography Art District Los Angeles
Wedding Photos Art District Los Angeles
Graffiti Art Wedding Photo

Cicada Club wedding photography

Back at Cicada, we had to take advantage of the the amazing bar.

Cicada Club Wedding Photography
Cicada Club Wedding Photography
Cicada Club Wedding Photography
Cicada Club Wedding Photography
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cicada-los-angeles-wedding-photography-0048

When both Gavin and I shoot our Photo/Photo package, it gives us more artistic freedom to experiment.  Gavin brought his ringlight (that he uses for fashion work) and snapped of this cute sequence of images.

Cicada Club Wedding Photos
Cicada Club Wedding Photos
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cicada-los-angeles-wedding-photography-0051
cicada-los-angeles-wedding-photography-0052

Wedding Ceremony at Cicada Club

The Cicada Club is a beautiful space for wedding ceremonies, with towering ceilings and classic decor.

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Cicada Club Wedding Photography
Cicada Club Wedding Photography
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Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
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Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Photography
Cicada Club Wedding Photography
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony

A little riskier, but here’s the first kiss through one of the mirrors on the walls.

Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony First Kiss
Cicada Club Wedding Ceremony First Kiss

Cicada Club Wedding Reception

Cicada Club Wedding Reception Details
Cicada Club Wedding Reception Details
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
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Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
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Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception

Grand Entrance

Cicada Club Wedding Reception Grand Entrance
Grand Entrance
Cicada Club Wedding Reception

First Dance of the Wedding

This lighting was created by us (not by the venue) for the first dance.   I LOVE this ballroom!

Cicada Club Wedding Reception First Dance
First Dance at the Cicada Club
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
Cicada Club Wedding Reception
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cicada-los-angeles-wedding-photography-0118
Cicada Club Wedding Group Photo
Cicada Club Wedding Group Photo
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Cicada Club Wedding Photo
Cicada Club Wedding Photo

This article shows how we do Cicada Club wedding photography in downtown Los Angeles. It shows wedding photography at the Hilton Checkers, where our bride and groom got ready, did their first look, and did bridal party photos. The Cicada Club is a historic and iconic wedding venue and offers a unique backdrop and classic texture to any wedding at it.

Please look at our blog for more examples of wedding photos in Los Angeles. You can also see weddings we have shot near Cicada, like at the Oviatt Penthouse right above it. You can also find more recent work we’ve created on our Instagram, where we can show you the stuff we are currently experimenting with. For example, here is a wedding photo we did at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown LA, in the rain: