engagement shoot

North Beach Sunset Engagement Session » San Francisco, California /  by Vivian Chen

I first met Erin and Real when they booked one of my holiday mini sessions last winter. After enjoying their time with me on that foggy, wet morning in the redwoods, they decided they wanted to work together again for their wedding next year. And even though they loved their photos from their mini session, they wanted a sunnier engagement session featuring the city that they love. We met on a lovely summer evening in North Beach where we explore tiny parks and gorgeous brick alleyways before wrapping up the shoot at one my favorite North Beach intersections for that classic Transamerica Building shot.

The EIGHT Best East Bay Engagement Session Locations /  by Vivian Chen

Engagement season is upon us and that means lots of couples looking to take engagement photos for their Save the Dates, invitations and wedding websites. While I shoot a lot of engagement sessions in San Francisco, the East Bay is quickly becoming one of my favorite places for outdoor engagement sessions. As big fan of lush greenery and redwood groves, I’m always on the look out for beautiful local spaces for photoshoots. So after a decade of exploring I’ve rounded up my top eight favorite East Bay engagement shoot locations.

UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley

UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley

1) UC Botanical Garden (Berkeley)

With 34 acres of diverse landscaping featuring plants from all over the world, the UC Botanical Gardens is a gorgeous spot to roam around for photos. From the rose garden to the waterfall to the multiple greenhouses, there’s a lot to explore. (The desert cactus greenhouse is a favorite of mine.) There’s also a redwood grove to explore, but make sure to check ahead to see if it’s already occupied with a wedding or another event. (See more photos from this location.)

Blake Gardens, Kensington

Blake Gardens, Kensington

2) Blake Gardens (Kensington)

Hidden in the hills of Kensington is Blake Gardens, a vast space with its own tiny redwood grove and multiple reflecting pools. This beautiful space is maintained by UC Berkeley as teaching facility for their Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. It feels like wandering into The Secret Garden from the childhood novel with lovely little vignettes and winding paths to explore. (See more photos from this location.)

Albany Bulb, Albany

Albany Bulb, Albany

3) Albany Bulb (Albany)

For something a bit more funky and off-beat, the Albany Bulb is a wildflower wonderland in the springtime. From a dump to an urban art mecca and an abandon homeless encampment, its current life as a park makes use of its past. In the spring, the little pennisula comes to life with lush greenery and wildflowers growing between spray painted concrete slabs. In addition to the wildflower fields, there’s access to the bay where moss covered asphalt chunks lead right into the ocean, giving it an almost otherworldly feel. (See more photos from this location.)

Piedmont Community Hall, Piedmont

Piedmont Community Hall, Piedmont

4) Piedmont Community Hall (Piedmont)

While normally thought of as a wedding venue, the grounds of Piedmont Community Hall make the perfect backdrop for engagement sessions. The park includes a small redwood grove, a Japanese tea house and gardens, a large lush lawn, water fountain and this beautiful oak tree with a spot for sitting and smooching. (See more photos from this location.)

Tilden Park, Berkeley

Tilden Park, Berkeley

5) Jewel Lake in Tilden Park (Berkeley)

Tilden Park in Berkeley is huge but one of my favorite places to shoot in the park is at the Tilden Nature Area along the trail to Jewel Lake. Lush forests trails, a small redwood grove and a lovely little lake provides a lot of natural variety for engagement sessions. If you have some extra time to spare, bring some lettuce or celery for the animals at the Little Farm. (See more photos from this location.)

Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda

Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda

6) Crown Memorial State Beach (Alameda)

Tropical beach vibes without having to hop on a plane. Crown Memorial Beach is an easy location for those looking to have some sun and surf in their photos. The tall crops of sea grass are super fun to play around with. Come at sunset for the stunning golden hour glow. (See more photos from this location.)

Abandoned Naval Bases, Alameda

Abandoned Naval Bases, Alameda

7) Abandoned NAVAL BASES (ALAMEDA)

On the flip side of Alameda is a whole abandoned naval base with large airplane hangars. While some have been converted to gyms, wineries and breweries, there are still plenty left to slowly decay. For couples looking for a more editorial and gritty vibe to their portrait session, this part of Alameda is worth checking out. (See more photos from this location.)

Redwood Regional Park/Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland

Redwood Regional Park/Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland

8) Redwood Regional Park/Joaquin Miller Park (Oakland)

I’ve saved the best (in my opinion) for last. My favorite location to shoot is this redwood grove in the Oakland hills. Technically part of Joaquin Miller Park, this grove is right next to Redwood Regional Park which also provides beautiful forested trails if you have a bit more time to wander. I love the way the light falls in the morning and for those willing to brave slightly wet conditions, go on a rainy day and you might just catch the whole grove engulfed in a magical fog. (See more photos from this location.)

Garrapata Beach + Rocky Point Restaurant California Coastal Engagement Session » Big Sur + Carmel, California /  by Vivian Chen

Iva and Daniel are getting married in Carmel and love the California coast so much that they decided to also do their engagement session there. We met up on a cloudy grey day at Rocky Point Restaurant which has a stunning view of Big Sur and Rocky Point Bridge. We took some photos along the cliffs and watched the storm clouds roll in as the deep blue waves crashed along the rocks. Afterwards, we headed to Garrapata Beach State Park and hiked down to Calla Lily Valley along Doud Creek. The magical scene was made even more fantastic as rain lightly began to fall. I’m so grateful to have been show this special little place along the coast!

San Francisco Irving Street Comic Book Shop Engagement Session /  by Vivian Chen

Hallie and Josh have spent the past three years living in the Sunset District near 9th and Irving Street. As a big comic book fan and self proclaimed nerd, Josh really loves visiting the local comic book shop, Amazing Fantasy. So for their engagement session, they chose to keep it close to home by taking photos in the shop as well as their favorite ice cream place, San Francisco's Hometown Creamery before walking over to the 16th Street Mosaic Steps. 

Lands End + Sutro Baths Winter Sunset Engagement Session /  by Vivian Chen

Kathleen and Ben met in college and have been inseparable for the past 10 years. Ben proposed to Kathleen on the winter solstice in Japantown which was the site of one of their first dates. It was a cute proposal that was captured all on camera by a group of teenage girls who offered to take their photos. Ben told me he always dreamed about what type of woman he would marry and when he met Kathleen, he just knew. They love the look of the California coast so we headed over to San Francisco's Lands End and Sutro Baths for a beautiful sunset engagement session. I can't wait for their wedding in a few weeks!

Lighthouse Overlook Point Reyes National Seashore Engagement Session /  by Vivian Chen

Jessica and Brandon had just recently moved from Hawaii to the San Francisco Bay Area when they reached out to me for an engagement session. Not being super familiar with their new home, they weren't sure of a location. Jessica and Brandon knew they wanted to be in nature, somewhere near the ocean to remind them of Hawaii, where their relationship began. When she suggested Point Reyes National Seashore, I jumped at the chance to share with them one of my favorite parks in Northern California. We started at the Lighthouse Overlook for the epic views of Ten Mile Beach before heading over to Drakes Beach for some sunset surf shots. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we wrapped up our session with the iconic cypress tree tunnel. 

Marin Headlands + Rodeo Beach Sunset Engagement Session /  by Vivian Chen

Fiona and James are fans of the great outdoors and wanted an epic golden hour backdrop for their engagement session. We chose the Marin Headlands which provided us with beautiful ocean views as the summer sun dipped beneath the horizon. We also stopped by Rodeo Beach for a few portraits before wrapping up the shoot with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Springtime Mount Tamalpais Engagement Session » Mill Valley, California /  by Vivian Chen

As a professional photographer, I'm always challenging myself and growing creatively. Who I am today feels light years away from who I was when I was starting out. After a decade (?!) of shooting, I've learned to focus on my strengths and am inspired by the natural world and the genuine connections I make with my couples. At the start of this year, I knew that I wanted a website that authentically represents who I am, not just as a wedding photographer but an outdoor lifestyle photographer. With the help of Flight Design Co. I'm so happy to finally have a place where my work can live honestly, simply and elegantly. 

Meena and Nik's Mount Tamalpais engagement session is the perfect representation of the melding of my two photography loves and truly captures what I love most about photographing couples in the great outdoors. Mount Tamalpais is one of my favorite places to explore and photograph as it offers beautiful forests, rolling green hills and gorgeous ocean all within a short drive from the city. 

Floral Design: Gorgeous and Green // Hair & Make-Up: Julie Dy // Dress: Ulla Johnson