Choosing an Engagement session location
California photo engagement locations
I’m so excited to finally be part of your journey in creating your love story. This is definitely a special time, and always calls for a celebration. I’ll bring my camera, you bring the champagne and wine glasses. Your engagement session is the perfect time to document this amazing time in your life. But to make our session perfect as it can be, we’ll definitely need to plan ahead. Below are a few locations in California, that I think would be great for your engagement session.
Battery Spencer - SF: This is one of my favorite locations to shoot with the Golden Gate bridge as the backdrop, it's even perfect with a little bit of wind and fog. This location is located on Marin county side of the Golden gate bridge. I usually like ending my sessions here with a sunset shoot.
Yosemite National Park: If you’re looking for the perfect backdrop, with amazing views and a sunset that’ll paint the sky then this is the location. With its granite mountains and roaring waterfalls, it’s easy to see why this is the most visited park in the world. From sunrise sessions in the meadows to romantic sunset sessions at Glacier point there’s no way you can get a bad photo here.
Marin Headlands-SF: This location is so diverse with so many areas to shoot at, You have everything from rolling hills to black sand beaches to a 19th-century lighthouse to a wild coastline and spectacular views of the City and Golden Gate.
Point Reyes - Every time I come here, it brings me to another place, it doesn't feel like we're in California. This is another location that I love, with the green pasture that leads to the endless coastline. There are so many beautiful spots within the boundaries of the Point Reyes NationalSeashore.
Mammoth Lakes - Sierras: If you love mountains and lakes, this should be on top of your list! Located in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth is loaded with outdoors activities (skiing, biking, kayaking, fly fishing, etc) and amazing views all around. Adventure is available year-round in Mammoth Lakes. I love visiting here for fall colors and early spring for snow covered mountains. In addition, the drive here is one of a kind with miles and miles of mountain tops once you get to highway 395.
Mount Tamalpais - Endless Horizons If you're adventurous and outdoorsy this place would be perfect!!!!! This location is such an epic spot for any session. Ideally this would be the perfect spot to end our session if we shot anywhere else in the city during the day. Only 1.5 hours north of San Francisco, the gorgeous drive to mount Tam will take you through miles of redwoods, steep hills, and endless views of the Pacific Coast. Sunsets here are absolutely dreamy and make everything look so amazing.
Glamis Sand Dunes - If you don't mind traveling to So. Cal, to get some amazing engagement photos, then this drive would be worth it. It's in Brawley, Ca. just 3 hours away from LA.
**Travel fees apply
Joshua Tree National Park - A neighbor to Glamis dunes, this location is huge and covers hundreds of thousands of acres of beauty and unique Joshua trees. I used to live in Palm Springs, and would always pass by the beautiful park when heading to work. This place is gorgeous at both sunset and sunrise.
**Travel fees apply
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve -This is another beautiful location in Socal. The park opens March 1st. but the best time to see the flowers bloom is late March through mid April. So we'll definitely see the wild flowers in full bloom. There's plenty of trails that we can stay on while we shoot, also, the best time to shoot would be sunrise, as this place gets really crowded with people and other photographers.
**Travel fees apply
Big Sur - The iconic coast this is one of my favorite places to shoot. I've shot here several times, and each time the photos come out stunning. Big Sur is considered one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, not only in the U.S. but in the world! It’s famous for jagged cliffs with crashing waves beneath and peaceful mountains on the background. Dreamy, roaring, peaceful…Big Sur has it all! The drive here is also amazing whether you’re coming from the north or south. The turns here keep you excited and make way more stops than you should!
Donner Lake - Truckee: This location would be a great place to bring your pup along (if you have one). If you want some snow in your photos during the cold season, this would be the location.
Goat Rock Beach - Jenner, Ca. What I love about this location is the route to the beach, you’ll find yourself driving to an endless coastline. There’s so many beautiful beaches and headlands that lead to Goat Rock. It secludes its self from the other beaches nearby, so not a lot of people come here.
Palm Springs - Dreamy desert vibes: Located in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is known for its stylish hotels, modern architecture, golf courses, and spas. Not only those, but the surrounded areas are also captivating with giant turbine fields and dramatic mountain backdrops. Shooting here closer to sunset or sunrise makes making everything look like a dreamland!
**Travel fees apply
