Beach Engagement Photos at Crystal Cove: A Sunset Session That Felt Like a Taylor Swift Song
If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’ll never say no to a beach engagement session, like ever….especially at Crystal Cove. Give me warm sunsets, pastel skies, the ocean breeze (even though it turns my hair into a mess), a couple down for anything, and I’m set! Annamarie & David’s beach engagement photos at Crystal Cove in Laguna Beach felt straight out of a Taylor Swift song with the cotton-candy skies, playing around in the sand, laughter, waves, literally every second! And if you know anything about me, you know I am a true Swiftie, so I was in LOVE with this beach engagement.
If you’re dreaming up your own beach engagement photos in Laguna Beach, let’s walk through what made this one so good, from outfits to the sunset, and how you can take inspiration for your own shoot!
Why Beach Engagement Photos Will Never Go Out of Style
Here’s the thing: trends come and go in photography. Neon signs, quirky props, styled sets, they’re fun, but they date quickly, and I swear trends change before I even have the chance to edit a gallery. But the beach? She never goes out of style. Beach engagement photos look just as good in 2024 as they will in 2044. The ocean is timeless, the sand is grounding, and sunsets never repeat themselves (which is so insane to me).
Annamarie & David’s session is proof of this! You don’t need a styled backdrop when you’ve got cliffs, tide pools, and the Pacific glowing in front of you (and me as your photographer, duh!) Every frame looked cinematic, not because it was curated, but because nature did the work!
Crystal Cove: More Than Just Sand + Waves
Most people think of the beach as just “sand and water,” but Crystal Cove offers so much more! You’ve got the cliffs, the rocky coves, the tide pools, even little historic cottages if you wander far enough! That’s why I love Crystal Cove engagement sessions, it gives you variety without ever leaving one spot (and it allows for more outfits and time at each spot because you don’t have to go anywhere else!)
Annamarie & David started by the cliffs, moved to the shoreline, then we chased the last rays of sunset into the water (it’s already sounding like a TS song, right?!) It’s still crazy to me that their gallery looks like three different locations, but it was all within walking distance!
Pro Tip: Check out the official Crystal Cove State Park guide before your shoot to get a feel for what areas inspire you most. Also, if you book your engagement shoot with me, I always have the planning part covered! But, you can check out my other blogs for more inspo:
Sunset Really Was the Main Character
Laguna Beach is famous for sunsets, but this one was unrealllll! The sky turned pink and blue like that pastel, cotton-candy glow that makes you stop mid-step just to take it in. It literally felt like the sunset was straight out of the Lover album cover! It’s why I always tell couples to stick around after the sun actually dips, the sunset is always the main event!
Golden hour gets all the hype, but blue hour, the 15–20 minutes after sunset, is pure romance. I seriously can’t get enough of this time of day! That’s when the skies exploded for Annamarie & David, and the photos look like film stills!
Pro Tip: Plan for your beach engagement photos to start about 60–75 minutes before sunset so you catch the full range of light (but if you work with me, I’ll let you know when to start based on what time of year your shoot is!)
Why the Tide Chart Matters
Something most couples don’t think about is the tide. At Crystal Cove, the tide literally changes how much beach you have to work with. At low tide, you get tide pools, wide sandy stretches, and easy walking. At high tide, waves crash right against the rocks, dramatic and so fun, but also limiting (depending on what you want!)
For Annamarie & David, the tide was rolling in, which gave us those dreamy splashing shots and reflections in the wet sand. But if you want more variety (especially with rocks + pools), low tide is your best friend!
You can check the tide chart here just to get an idea, but as the photographer, I’ll be refreshing the charts the night before (because the ocean makes the rules) so we can get the best timing for your shoot!
The Best Outfits That Work For Any Beach Engagement Photos
Okay, let’s chat about outfits. I feel like this is definitely the stressful part about planning your shoot, but I also feel like it’s easy to overcomplicate! Annamarie nailed it with her outfit choices, flowy, beachy, and easy to move in (flow is everything at the ocean). She started with jeans, boots, and a cute off-the-shoulder white sweater, then changed into an adorable white sweater dress, and then ended with a flowy, beachy white dress!
Lightweight fabrics catch the breeze, and neutrals look stunning against the sand and sky! David kept it simple and classic, with a white button-up and jeans, and then a green button-up up which balanced perfectly with Annamarie’s outfits! Plus, after it’s all said and done, you’re not going to think about your outfits when you look back at images, you’re going to look at your cute faces and the stunning views around you!
Outfit ideas for your own beach engagement photos:
Flowy maxi dresses or skirts that move with the wind
Barefoot or sandals (heels and sand don’t mix!)
Neutrals and soft tones (tan, blush, cream, blue) that complement ocean light
A casual second outfit (think jeans + linen) for variety
Think about color theory: soft tones = pastel skies, warm tones = golden hour glow!
For inspiration, check out my Pinterest board, Couple Session Outfit Ideas, where I keep outfit and color palettes for different locations!
Parking + Prep (The Not-So-Glamorous Part)
Real talk: parking at Crystal Cove can be tricky. You’ll likely park in the lot and walk down to the beach (so plan for a 10-minute trek). This isn’t a pull-up-and-shoot kind of location. What to pack for your beach engagement session:
Sandals or comfy shoes for the walk down
A small bag for wet clothes or sandy shoes afterward (if you want, this is totally up to you!)
A towel if you plan to splash in the waves (you should)
A jacket for when the sun dips, the beach cools fast!
Water and maybe a snack (because no one wants hangry photos)
Pro Tip: Make a night of it and grab dinner after your session. Laguna has some of the best coastal restaurants. Here’s a guide to dining in Laguna Beach if you want inspo.
When Imperfections Make the Best Photos
Some of my favorite shots from this session weren’t when everything looked “perfect.” It was when Annamarie’s hair caught the wind, or when the waves came up and soaked their feet. Those little moments are where the magic is!
So if your hair goes wild, your dress gets sandy, or you end up knee-deep in the Pacific… lean into it. That’s what makes your beach engagement photos feel real, not staged, and SO fun!
Hiring a Laguna Beach Engagement Photographer Will Make Your Life So Much Easier
Crystal Cove is gorgeous, but it can be overwhelming if you’ve never been there before. As a Laguna Beach engagement photographer, I know the hidden paths, the timing for light, the tides, and where to avoid crowds. It’s not just about photos, it’s about making the session seamless so you two can actually enjoy it and not stress about the little things!
Annamarie & David trusted me to lead the way, and because of that, they could focus on laughing, splashing, and soaking in their evening together! That trust = the best galleries.
Why Crystal Cove Was Perfect for Annamarie & David
At the end of the day, Annamarie & David’s beach engagement photos worked because it was true to them. They didn’t try to force poses or plan a styled shoot; they just showed up ready to enjoy the ocean, laugh together, and embrace whatever happened!
The warm water, the pastel skies, the cliffs, the sandy toes, all of it came together to tell their story. That’s what I love most about Laguna Beach engagement photos: they’re not just pretty pictures. They’re memories of one of the sweetest seasons of your life, frozen in time!
Make Your Beach Engagement Photos a Full Experience
Here’s my last tip: don’t treat your engagement session like just another checklist item. Make it a full date night. Grab cocktails before, head to the beach, take photos, then finish with dinner in Laguna (I personally recommend Driftwood Kitchen or grabbing tacos at La Sirena, both hit so hard after playing in the sand!)
Your engagement photos should feel like an experience, not a chore. Annamarie & David left sandy, salty, and smiling ear to ear, and that’s exactly how it should be.
If you want to plan your own beach session, start with the Visit Laguna Beach guide for ideas on how to turn your shoot into a weekend getaway if you’re from out of town!
Ready for Your Own Beach Engagement Photos?
Annamarie & David’s beach engagement photos will forever be a favorite of mine because there’s so much variety, yet it’s all in one spot! From the tide pools to the cliffs to the cotton-candy sky that looked straight out of a Taylor Swift music video, every detail came together seamlessly!
You can read more on the blog for more inspiration, tips, session ideas, and location guides!
If you have a fun or personal idea for your own shoot, let’s plan it together. I’m always down to brainstorm and create something true to you!
And if you love film just as much as I do, fill out my contact form so we can add film photos to your package!