LA Area Photography Opportunities for October 2015

From structured photography classes to street festivals, Halloween fun and urban photo walks, October presents a great deal of opportunity for those in the Los Angeles area looking for an excuse to use their camera. No matter if you are a pro photographer, beginner or somewhere in between, there is an October photo event in Los Angeles that will be perfectly suited to your skill level. We've picked out a few October photo events in and around the Los Angeles area that we feel Samy's Photo Blog readers will find especially enjoyable. Follow us on Instragram at Samys_Camera and tag us in any photos you take at the events and we'll include some of them in next month's events round up.

Photographing the Gardens at the Huntington Library with Art Ramirez

All you need is a basic understanding of how to use a digital camera to come along on this photo garden adventure photo event at the Huntington Library Gardens. Samy’s instructor Art Ramirez will guide you through the day and assist with helping you brush up on your basic photo skills in a beautiful setting. When: Saturday,October 3rd; 10:30 am to 4:30 pm Where: Samy's Camera, Pasadena, California Cost: $75, includes admission to library grounds Registration/Tickets & More Information: Samy's Photo School

Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns Photo Event

Returning for its second year, Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns provides a spookily beautiful opportunity to flex your night photography skills. This night-time event is a family friendly Halloween celebration of seasonal pumpkin art. Professional artists and sculptors create a trail of over 5,000 hand-carved jack o’ lanterns have been placed throughout the Rose Garden to create a magical display of color and light.  Photography is welcome. The organizers suggest that a slow sync or nighttime setting would be optimal. They also note that due to the visibility issues that comes with such an environment, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are prohibited. When: October 1st to November 1st Where: Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, California Cost: $28 for adults, $24 for children 3-12 years old and children under 2 are free Registration/Tickets & More Information: Rise of the Jack O' Lanterns

42nd Los Angeles Korean Festival

Now in its 42nd year, the Los Angeles Korean Festival has grown to be one of the largest ethnic celebrations in the nation. Taking place in the heart of Koreatown, the festival offers any number of great photographic opportunities. From ceremonies featuring traditional Korean dress to high energy KPOP performances and, of course, the crowds themselves. A plethora of food stalls on offer at the festival means there won't be a shortage of chances to grab some street food shots either. A real photo event for anybody in and around Los Angeles. When: October 1st to October 4th Where: Seoul International Park, Koreatown, Los Angeles Cost: Free Registration/Tickets & More Information: Los Angeles Korean Festival

Street Meet L.A. Worldwide InstaMeet Sepulveda Basin Photo Walk

Street Meet L.A. is celebrating Instagram's 5th birthday by putting together a Sepulveda Basin photo walk to coincide with the #WWIM12  (World Wide InstaMeet 12) photo event that will be taking place all over the globe that weekend.  Participants will meet at Sepulveda Basin and walk to Sepulveda Dam where they will have the opportunity to photograph models, dancers, fire breathers and the beauty of the nature around them. It is advised that those taking place in the photo walk wear a good pair of shoes with bottom grip and flashlight.  Make sure to follow StreetMeetLa  and Samys_Camera on Instagram for information on the Best Portrait Contest associated with the event. When: Sunday,October 4th; 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm Where: 5600 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa, Los Angeles 91406 Cost: Free Registration/Tickets & More Information: Street Meet L.A.

Fall Parent & Child Photography Workshop at Underwood Farm with Deborah Cloyed

Fall Harvest Festival time has arrived at Underwood Family Farms and makes for a great excuse to take your child and camera away from the busy city for a day. Enjoy the autumn festivities while instructor Deborah Cloyed helps you improve your photography skills. Ideal for beginner to intermediate level photographers. When: Sunday,October 11th; 1 pm to 5 pm Where: Underwood Family Farms, Moorpark, California Cost: $49.95, covers 1 parent and 1 child Registration/Tickets & More Information: Samy's Photo School

How to Shoot Magazine Quality Images with One Light with Barry Druxman

During this one day class, intermediate level photographers will be taught to create stunning images using simple one light techniques. Working hands-on with live models, they will be guided to provide their own beautiful, high fashion images.  Instructor Barry Druxman is a Los Angeles based photographer whose fashion, beauty and celebrity images have been featured on nearly 100 magazine covers. When: Saturday,October 17th; 10:30 am to 2:30 pm Where: Samy's Camera, Santa Ana, California Cost: $89 Registration/Tickets & More Information: Samy's Photo School

CicLAvia - Heart of LA 

Los Angeles traffic is legendary. Which makes the chance to witness six miles of LA's busiest streets completely void of cars a photo opportunity within itself.  Add into the equation that CicLAVia - Heart of LA is the 5th anniversary celebration of the event and it will be difficult for any photographer to put their camera down.  A completely free event, people will be able to walk, bike, skateboard, roller skate and more along a route that will cover roads that go through Boyle Heights, the Arts District, Little Tokyo, Civic Center, Chinatown, Historic Core and as far west at MacArthur Park. When: Sunday, October 18th; 9 am to 4 pm Where: Throughout downtown Los Angles Cost: Free Registration/Tickets & More Information: CicLAvia - Heart of LA

4th Annual Pugtacular Spooktacular 

If pugs in Halloween costumes sounds like your idea of a good time, you'll want to make sure to mark your calendar for the annual Pugtacular Spooktacular. Sponsored by the Pug Nation Rescue of L.A., the Halloween themed event, takes the everyday humorous nature of pugs and kicks it up a few dozen notches. Among the activities of the day are four dog Halloween costume contests - senior dogs, all-breeds, pugs only and most outrageous. Truly something to behold for any dog lover. The only challenge to you taking away at least a few great photographs might be the camera shake caused from your own laughter. Of course, the most important ambition of the Annual Pugtacular Spooktacular is to find loving permanent homes for the rescue pugs that are under the care of the Pug Nation Rescue of L.A. They will have a selection of those pugs at the event for those interested in adopting to meet. When: Saturday, October 24th; 11 am to 4 pm Where: Torrance Park, Torrance, California Cost: $10 for adult, $5 for Children Registration/Tickets & More Information: Pug Nation Rescue of L.A.

West Hollywood Halloween Carnival 

Over half a million people flood Santa Monica Blvd every year on October 31st to take part in the world's largest Halloween street party. With party-goers trying to outdo each other with increasingly outrageous costumes, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival is a street photographer's paradise. Between the live entertainment, food vendors and crowning of the - typically celebrity - Carnival Queen, there is something to keep most people entertained between photographs too. As you might imagine from West Hollywood, the fun doesn't stop after the official party has ended. Most of the bars and restaurants in the area keep the fun going until the shut their doors for the night. So, make sure you have your camera batteries fully charged and plenty of storage because you are going to be in for a long night! You know this will be a LA photo event to remember! When: Thursday, October 31; 6 pm to  11pm Where: West Hollywood - Along Santa Monica Blvd from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Blvd Cost: Free Registration/Tickets & More Information: Visit West Hollywood