engagements
Stephanie and Jack wanted some epic feeling landscapes for their mini engagement session but wanted to stay close to the East Bay. I suggested meeting at the Albany Bulb for sunset portraits as this funky spot features gorgeous Bay views and greenery among the abandoned public art. Definitely one of my favorite unique East Bay locations!
Tin and Lena first met and became friends while mentoring underserved Southeast Asian high school students in a summer program at UC Berkeley. However, it wasn’t until a year later when their paths crossed again after Tin joined another mentorship program that Lena was a part of. As they shared a common interest in student empowerment and community, they grew closer the following summer as coordinators organizing the same summer program where they first met. After sharing many late night meetings and meals, their relationship began to blossom and the rest is history! For their engagement session, they wanted to commemorate the beautiful UC Berkeley campus where they spent so much time together. We started off in the Eucalyptus Grove before walking around campus to Sproul Plaza and Sather Gate before wrapping up the shoot by the Campanile Tower at sunset.
While San Francisco may feel small when it comes to cities, it packs a lot of variety into 49 square miles. This makes it perfect for couples who want to showcase all that the city has to offer with their engagement session. After making my round up for my favorite outdoor East Bay engagement shoot locations, I knew I had to assemble a similar list for this city by the bay. And the best part about making a list about San Francisco is how different each of these locations feel depending on the time of year. Karl the Fog is a huge part of San Francisco and his cameos during my engagement sessions always add a bit of magic. So without further ado, here are my top eight* favorite San Francisco engagement session locations.
Sutro Baths at Lands End
I can’t think of a more popular engagement session location than Sutro Baths and Lands End. It’s rare that I DON’T run into another photographer when I shoot here but we’re all very courteous and will take turns with iconic spots. And it’s popular for good reason! The gorgeous coastline dotted with cypress trees, dramatic bluffs and rocky beaches all make for visually stunning photos. There are actually two locations here: the Sutro Bath ruins and Lands End which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area that stretches along the Pacific with several hiking trails. For those willing to hike a bit further, there’s Mile Rock Beach, Lands End Labyrinth and other less populated forested areas perfect for photos. (See more photos from this location.)
When you think San Francisco, you think Golden Gate Bridge. There’s no other iconic landmark that embodies this city which makes it a very popular backdrop for engagement sessions. While you could go to Crissy Field or Fort Point for Golden Gate Bridge views, my personal favorite is Baker Beach. In addition to the surf and sand, there are grassy dunes and cypress trees. A large parking lot and public restrooms for outfit changes makes it convenient as well. The beach is spacious so even on busy days we can spread out. (See more photos from this location.)
Wood Line, Presidio
The Wood Line is a public art piece by Andy Goldsworthy made up of large eucalyptus logs zig-zagging along the forest floor. This beautiful wooded landscape is tucked away in the Presidio and offers a unique combination of large scale art piece framed by towering eucalyptus trees. This location also makes a great jumping off point for exploring more of what the Presidio has to offer. (See more photos from this location.)
There’s no other obvious green spot for natural landscapes than Golden Gate Park. It has a bit of everything surrounded by lush greenery. Stow Lake offers beautiful waterfront views whereas the Lily Pond area can feel like a prehistoric wonderland. The Music Concourse features architectural interest with California Academy of Sciences, the DeYoung Museum, and Japanese Tea Garden but my favorite is the line of green benches in front of the amphitheater. From rose gardens to redwood groves, it has a little bit of everything including lots of quiet, hidden corners just waiting to be discovered. I could create a list just on the locations within Golden Gate Park. (See more photos from this location.)
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Within Golden Gate Park is another lush wonderland, the San Francisco Botanical Garden. For plant lovers, this place is a must. You can find redwoods, cherry blossoms, cactus gardens and a bamboo forest all within a short stroll from one another. I would recommend visiting beforehand so you can fully roam the entire garden and enjoy every part of this lush space. As in nature, the garden changes and transforms each season which adds to the wonder of this space. (See more photos from this location.)
Pier 7, Embarcadero
Out of all the piers down on the Embarcadero, Pier 7 has the most character with its wooden planks, decorative railings and lantern lamplights. Shoot towards the water and San Francisco’s other famous bridge, the Bay Bridge, serves as a backdrop. Shoot in the other direction and you get the San Francisco city skyline with the Transamerica Building front and center. Bonus: Add the Ferry Building Marketplace as a secondary location for the engagement session (or just stop in for snacks!) (See more photos from this location.)
Ocean Beach
A little ways down the coast from Lands End is Ocean Beach. This stretch of San Francisco offers the classic sand and surf as well as grassy dunes. It’s a simple but beautiful location to consider. The views of the Pacific makes a great place to wrap up an engagement session if you time it right at sunset. (See more photos from this location.)
North Beach
One of my favorite San Francisco locations for engagement sessions is exploring local neighborhoods. Often these neighborhood shoots offer a deeper glimpse into who my couples are. We’ll pick a place because it’s where they’ve live, love spending time or where they had their first date. Some of the neighborhoods I’ve photographed include North Beach, Hayes Valley, Inner Sunset, and Haight-Ashbury. I love discovering new parts of the city so show me what you love about your neighborhood and let’s honor it with your engagement session. (See more photos from San Francisco neighborhoods.)
You might have noticed that when I assembled this list of eight, that I included an asterisk. That’s because while technically the Marin Headlands aren’t in San Francisco, its proximity to the city makes a location that I often suggest for couples who want a bit more nature. Gorgeous bluffs, rolling grassy hills and beach access make it a perfect spot within driving distance of the urban landscapes. (See more photos from this location.)
Erin and Real really lucked out on the morning of our mini engagement session at Joaquin Miller Park. It was the last Saturday of my holiday mini sessions and the forecast was predicting rain the week before. I was ready to reschedule when the storm shifted earlier but left us with a misty, foggy morning. These are the types of mornings I dream about in the redwoods. (Rainy day hikes in the redwoods are my absolute favorite.) Needless to say, I was excited when Erin and Real showed up for their session as the fog added an extra element of magic to the forest. I am so grateful to my couples who trust me to brave less than dry conditions weather conditions. I love being to capture and share my favorite place at its best: foggy, moody mornings.
M knew he wanted to propose to A somewhere in Oakland and wanted it to be a surprise. I suggested the redwood grove in Joaquin Miller Park as it provides a lot of privacy and space, especially during the weekdays. It turned out to be the perfect spot as he planned to use the excuse of a midday hike to take a break from work as his cover. I met up with M a few days before for a little scouting mission and helped pick the perfect spot and set the plan. When the day finally arrived, my heart was beating in my throat when I finally spotted M and A walking into the grove. I hovered several steps behind and used the low hanging branches as cover as the sweet proposal unfolded in the quiet of the forest.
After rescheduling twice due to road construction and then wildfires, Esther and Howard were finally able to have their engagement session on a warm autumn evening. Instead of Point Reyes as we had originally planned, they chose two spots on the peninsula to capture the same outdoor vibe. We started our shoot at Half Moon Bay State Beach for a bit of frolicking along the shore before driving inland to Pearson–Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto for some sunset shots in the golden fields.
When their wedding plans had to be postponed this year, they decided that they still wanted to do an engagement session, especially since their sweet pup Otis had just joined their lives. We met up on a warm summer morning at my favorite redwood grove in Oakland and explored the forest as the sunlight filtered through the trees.
Jen and Joe chose three locations for their evening engagement session. We started the shoot at one of my favorite intersections in North Beach before heading over to Ina Coolbrith Park which features gorgeous spring blooms and a stunning view of San Francisco. Afterwards, we booked it over to Lands End to catch the last remaining rays of sunset between the cypress trees and cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean.
Jeannie and Isaac chose my favorite redwood grove for their engagement session. Even though they got legally married last year, they are planning a larger celebration in the fall and wanted engagement photos to create a guestbook for their guests to sign. We met up on a slightly chilly spring morning and spent some time in the grove before heading over to a near by eucalyptus grove for more photos. The eucalyptus grove is a second favorite spot of mine in the Oakland Hills, especially in the springtime when the grass field turns bright green again with new growth. No matter how many times I visit these groves, I’m always leave inspired.
Holly and Jonathan love spending time exploring their neighborhood of the Outer Sunset so for their engagement session, they wanted to memorialize where their relationship grew by visiting a few of their favorite spots. We started at 3 Fish Studios which is a cute shop with San Francisco and California-centric prints from local artists. Afterwards, we walked down the street to catch sunset at Ocean Beach. I couldn’t get enough of the dreamy winter light in the sand dunes as we wrapped up the shoot.
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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.)
Mads and Brad love spending time in North Beach exploring, eating and shopping all the cute shops in the neighborhood. In fact, one of their first official dates was at Quince. For their engagement session, we decided to use North Beach as a backdrop and a gorgeous post rainstorm sunset made the whole shoot feel extra magical. Looking forward to their wedding in September!
