About Lancaster
Lancaster is a charter city in the western Mojave Desert in north-central Los Angeles County. When Lancaster became an incorporated city in 1977, its population was 37,000. Today, its population peaks at 173,500 as marked by the 2020 census. The city is separated from the Los Angeles Basin by the San Gabriel Mountains to the south.
Lancaster’s Town Center is the original location of the railroad station house built in 1876. The settlement and grid of the city began with a land speculator purchasing land from the railroad, much like the history of this area. However, steady growth did not come to Lancaster until the early 1900s with the flow of potable water to the northern Antelope Valley by way of the Los Angeles Aqueduct Project.
The major economic drivers are manufacturing and distribution. The defense contractors of Boeing and Lockheed, along with NASA, remain active with their research and development for military planes and vehicles. Lancaster is looking to become the first net-zero community in the US by producing more renewable energy than it uses. All new residential construction is required to incorporate solar panels, and all government-owned buildings are powered by solar energy.
Photo Shoot Venue Options in Lancaster
The venues offered for photo shoots are outdoor locations with picturesque views of the high desert valley and the San Gabriel Mountains. Some of the acreages are improved with cabins and homes. These remote scenes are natural and raw.
- Photographer
A photographer local to Lancaster will be well versed in the areas chosen for a photo shoot, as well as the best time of day for the lighting and setting. The photography studio needs to be able to produce the final images of the photos by way of in-house technology. A professional photographer needs the talent and the skill set to act as the director, producer, and editor for the entire shoot.
- Supply Rental
Given the location options in Lancaster, there is a very good chance that the photo venue will be in a remote location in the high desert. There will be the need for supply and furniture rental for comfort, shade, and a stabilized area in which to organize before and after the shoot. The provider of this rental service will also need to provide the services for delivery, set-up, and breakdown.
- Permitting
A permit will be required for a photo shoot in both Lancaster and Los Angeles County. There is a good chance that the remote venues will be in unincorporated areas of the county outside the city limits of Lancaster. Fortunately, government officials in the city and the county have entered into agreements with FilmLA to streamline the permit process regardless of the location in Lancaster or the Antelope Valley.
Photo Shoot Venue Companies in Lancaster
Don’t try to do all the work yourself! Then you will not be able to take advantage of the wonderful weather and attractions. Luckily, choosing a photo shoot venue in Lancaster is a good idea because there are so many companies in the industry to help you.
- Sutton Photography
Julie Sutton, the proprietor of Sutton Photography in Lancaster, prides herself in her familiarity with her clients and the venue locations by her willingness to go the extra mile on the front end. Julie’s studio handles professional portraits in the studio, action shots outdoors, and family events celebrating a milestone in life. The studios of Sutton Photography will produce the final image for personal use or for uploading to a website or onto a social media platform.
- 661 Party Rentals
661 Party Rentals uses the area code of Lancaster for their name, which is very clever. It provides rental services for corporate, personal, and community events. The inventory has packages for specific events including tents, canopies, tables, chairs, and various other furniture necessities. The inventory includes products to stabilize the ground and any necessary lighting and seating.
- FilmLA
Since 1995, FilmLA has partnered with cities, Los Angeles County, and various school districts to streamline the permit process. FilmLA will coordinate communications with the jurisdictions within its service area. Both the city of Lancaster and Los Angeles County fall under the jurisdiction of FilmLA. For the permit applicant, the process is seamless, and the status of a permit can be tracked online.
Pros and Cons of Photo Shoot Venues in Lancaster
The pros and cons listed and described below are not meant to be an all-inclusive list. Please be aware that the suggestions only refer to the city and do not extend to any offered location. But it is best to know all the facts before finalizing any plans for a photo shoot venue in Lancaster.
Advantages
- Climate
Lancaster is in the high desert with summers that are hot and dry and mild winters. Having an outdoor photo shoot venue in Lancaster would be fine at any time of year.
- History Preservation
The city of Lancaster has taken a proactive approach to the preservation of its historic buildings interspersed with the new. The site of the first rail station is at the heart of the Old Town Area. The Old Town Area and the Town Center are the locations of the library and the performing arts center.
- Non-Compete
Lancaster does not identify itself with either the entertainment or the media industry. When selecting a photo venue location, the chances of a competitor vying for the same location are low. Demand is low, but the supply of locations is high. This condition will keep the prices low.
Disadvantages
- Age diversity
The Lancaster area attracts young families due to the availability of living-wage jobs and the low cost of living. The average age is 33 over the entire population. So, the population is not as diverse as in other California cities.
- FilmLA
While the services of FilmLA are a benefit to the permit process, the benefits only extend to the issuance of the permit for the photo shoot. If other permits are required by either the city or the county, FilmLA offers guidance, but not the processing of the applications.
- Connectivity
The city has an overall walkability score of 29. This translates to the residents being car-dependent out of necessity. As for cyclists, there are very few roads with dedicated bike lanes. The overall bike score for Lancaster is 40.
Famous Locations in Lancaster
- BLVD Farmers’ Market
An important partner of Lancaster is Raw Inspiration, a non-profit operator of certified organic farmers’ markets in California. The farmers’ market on the BLVD is held every Thursday in the early evening hours for more residents to attend and for the local proprietors to capture the business of the attendees.
- The Hanger
The Hanger is a 4,900-seat stadium, home to the minor league baseball team of the Jet Hawks. This is the only minor league team that plays in Los Angeles County. The Jet Hawks games are a local favorite, and tickets sell out quickly.
- The Boeing Plaza—Aerospace Walk of Honor
This Walk of Honor on the corner of the BLVD was created in 1990 in dedication to the contributions of aviators who advanced the science of aerospace. There are granite monuments for each honoree along Lancaster Boulevard. Each summer, five pilots are selected for placement along the Walk of Honor, and the unveiling is followed by a program and a banquet.