Whether you’re passionate about photography or simply enjoy seeing the world through powerful images, Los Angeles offers some of the best museums and galleries for visual storytelling. These spaces capture the city’s history, cultural energy, and creative spirit. From landmark institutions to tucked-away galleries, you’ll find world-class photography exhibitions across Los Angeles—and some are even free to visit.
This guide highlights the best photography museums in Los Angeles along with hidden gems that deserve a spot on your itinerary. For the perfect pairing, add our Celebrity Homes Tour to your day. You’ll cruise through the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, and Sunset Strip, spot the Hollywood Sign, and see the neighborhoods where the stars live—all while leaving plenty of time to explore a museum before or after.
The Getty Center
The Getty Center is one of Los Angeles’s most important cultural landmarks, and its photography collection is a highlight. You’ll find 19th-century prints, contemporary photography, and major rotating exhibitions that bring international artists and movements to the forefront. The Getty Center archives hold more than a century of visual history, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the art of photography.
Admission is free, though parking fees apply, and the setting itself is as memorable as the art. Perched high above the city, the Getty offers panoramic views of LA alongside gardens and modern architecture that are worth the trip on their own. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours moving between world-class exhibitions inside and sweeping landscapes outside.
The Hammer Museum
The Hammer Museum in Westwood is one of Los Angeles’s leading spaces for contemporary art, and photography often plays a central role in its rotating exhibitions. From thought-provoking documentary projects to experimental photo-based installations, the museum highlights both emerging voices and established international artists.
Admission is free, and its location near UCLA makes it easy to include in a day of exploring the city. The Hammer is known for dynamic programming, with exhibitions that often address social and cultural themes through visual art. If you’re interested in photography that pushes boundaries and sparks conversation, this place belongs on your list.
The Broad
The Broad is one of downtown LA’s most visited art museums, and photography features prominently in its collection and exhibitions. While The Broad is best known for contemporary icons like Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusama, it frequently incorporates photography into larger installations and themed exhibitions. Past shows have included everything from large-scale portrait series to experimental photo-based work.
Admission is free with a timed reservation, making it an easy addition to a day downtown. Its central location near Walt Disney Concert Hall and MOCA also means you can explore several cultural landmarks in one trip. Whether you’re drawn to cutting-edge art or photography as part of a broader creative experience, The Broad delivers.
LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, and its photography collection is a major part of its reputation. The museum houses everything from 19th-century prints to contemporary photography, with rotating exhibitions that spotlight documentary work, retrospectives of iconic photographers, and international perspectives. It’s a place where visitors can see both the history of the medium and its most innovative directions.
Located on Museum Row in Mid-Wilshire, LACMA is easy to include in a broader cultural day out, especially with neighbors like the Petersen Automotive Museum and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures nearby. Admission is ticketed, but the scale of the collection and the frequency of major photography exhibitions make it one of Los Angeles’s must-visit art institutions.
The Fahey/Klein Gallery
The Fahey/Klein Gallery on Miracle Mile is one of LA’s most respected spaces for fine art photography. Known for showcasing iconic photographers such as Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, and Irving Penn, the gallery has built its reputation on striking exhibitions that often blur the line between art, fashion, and celebrity culture.
Unlike large institutions, Fahey/Klein offers an intimate setting where visitors can get close to the work and explore carefully curated shows. Admission is free, and the gallery’s focus on both legendary figures and contemporary talent makes it a rewarding stop for anyone interested in photography as art.
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Leica Gallery Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, the Leica Gallery combines a flagship camera store with a thoughtfully curated exhibition space. It regularly features work by renowned Leica photographers, spanning genres from street photography to documentary projects and fine art.
For photography enthusiasts, the gallery is both a place to view world-class images and a hub for the gear and community that surrounds them. The setting is sleek and modern, but the atmosphere is approachable, often hosting exhibition openings and talks that bring photographers and audiences together. Admission is free, making it an easy and inspiring stop in the heart of West Hollywood.
KP Projects Gallery in Hollywood
KP Projects, formerly known as Merry Karnowsky Gallery, is a Hollywood destination for bold and unconventional art. Its exhibitions often feature photography alongside painting, mixed media, and pop surrealism, creating a space where visual styles collide in unexpected ways.
The gallery is known for supporting contemporary artists who push boundaries, and its photography shows are no exception. Exhibitions here often highlight creative approaches that blur the line between fine art and popular culture. For visitors, it offers a chance to see work that feels fresh, experimental, and deeply tied to LA’s creative scene.
MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art
MOCA is dedicated to contemporary art in all its forms, and photography plays an important role in its rotating exhibitions. While not exclusively a photography museum, MOCA frequently features photo-based work that explores social commentary, conceptual approaches, and the intersection of photography with installation and new media.
With multiple locations in LA, including the Grand Avenue museum downtown and the Geffen Contemporary in Little Tokyo, MOCA offers a wide range of experiences for visitors. Admission policies vary, with some free entry days available, and its exhibitions often highlight innovative photographers alongside major contemporary artists. For those interested in photography as part of the larger art conversation, MOCA is an essential stop.
Bonus Photo Events and Pop Ups in LA to Visit
Los Angeles has a vibrant photography community that extends beyond permanent exhibitions. Each spring, the city hosts Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA), a citywide festival of exhibitions, pop-ups, and public programs celebrating photographers from around the world.
Other events, such as art book fairs and short-run group shows, frequently take place in neighborhoods like Downtown, the Arts District, and Highland Park. These gatherings are a chance to discover emerging artists, connect with the local photo scene, and often attend free openings or talks. If your timing is right, adding one of these events to your visit gives you a window into LA’s photography culture at its most dynamic.
Hidden Gems and Local Favorites
dnj Gallery Santa Monica
dnj Gallery is celebrated for its focus on contemporary and vintage photography, often highlighting innovative approaches to the medium. Located in Bergamot Station Arts Center, it offers a mix of solo shows and thematic group exhibitions. Admission is free, making it an accessible stop for anyone exploring the Westside.
Los Angeles Center of Photography
The Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) is both a community hub and an exhibition space. It frequently hosts juried and thematic group shows that showcase acclaimed street, portrait, and documentary work. Alongside exhibitions, LACP offers workshops, lectures, and portfolio reviews, making it a destination for practicing photographers and enthusiasts alike.
Fowler Museum at UCLA
The Fowler Museum is known for cross-cultural exhibitions that often include striking photography from around the world. It shows spotlight documentary and photojournalistic work that captures diverse perspectives, especially from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Admission is free, and the museum is a strong choice for visitors interested in photography as a tool for global storytelling.
Annenberg Space for Photography Online
Though it closed in 2020, the Annenberg Space for Photography remains an important part of Los Angeles’s cultural legacy. For over a decade, it was the city’s only museum dedicated entirely to photography, known for exhibitions that blended photojournalism, fine art, and multimedia storytelling. Its shows brought together world-renowned photographers and gave visitors access to powerful narratives from around the globe.
While the physical space is gone, the Annenberg Digital Archive keeps much of its work accessible online. You can still explore past exhibitions, watch recorded artist talks, and experience the creativity that made the museum a cornerstone of LA’s photography scene. The absence of the Annenberg is still felt locally, but its influence continues through the images and stories it preserved.
Superchief Gallery Downtown
Superchief Gallery is an alternative art space in the Downtown Arts District known for edgy, experimental exhibitions. Its shows often feature emerging photographers alongside artists working in digital and new media. With a reputation for pushing boundaries, Superchief is the place to find work that feels raw, current, and distinctively tied to LA’s underground art scene.
M+B Gallery and Drkrm
M+B Gallery in West Hollywood is highly regarded for its exhibitions of fine art and editorial photography, representing both established and emerging international artists. Drkrm, while smaller and more niche, is respected for its emphasis on black-and-white and analog photography, giving visitors a chance to explore work that celebrates the craft of film-based image-making.
Pro Tips for Photo Lovers
- Check museum and gallery websites before visiting, as exhibitions rotate frequently and policies on photography can vary.
- Many venues host free public openings or artist talks—following them on Instagram or checking event calendars can help you plan your visit.
- Parking is limited at some locations, so consider ride shares or public transit for easier access.
- If you want to plan a full photography day, note that several museums and galleries are clustered together in neighborhoods like Miracle Mile and Downtown.
For more inspiration beyond museums, explore our guide to the best places to photograph in Los Angeles. It highlights landmarks, viewpoints, and cityscapes that complement the cultural side of LA’s photo scene.
Complete Your LA Experience
Exploring photography museums is one of the most rewarding ways to see Los Angeles through its cultural and creative lens. From major institutions to hidden galleries, each stop adds depth to your visit and connects you with stories captured in unforgettable images.
To round out your trip, pair a museum visit with our Celebrity Homes Tour. You’ll see the Hollywood Sign, cruise through Beverly Hills and the Sunset Strip, and get an inside look at the neighborhoods where stars live. It’s the perfect balance of art, culture, and classic LA sightseeing.
Book your tour today and discover Los Angeles from every angle.
