Looking for Romantic Engagement Photo Ideas? Here’s Where to Take Engagement Photos (Hint: It’s a Place With Meaning)
Okay, listen… Engagement photos aren’t just about getting dressed up and smiling at the camera. They’re actually one of the most romantic parts of the WHOLE wedding planning process. I mean, it’s basically a date night where you get to freeze this very brief time in your lives together, forever and ever!! And if that’s not the cutest thing you’ve ever heard… IDK what is.
So, if you’re wondering where to take engagement photos (and you want somewhere that’s more than just a pretty place), my top tip, as a SoCal engagement photographer who has been professionally taking pics of people kissing for over ten years, is to pick a place that has special meaning!! It’s probably my FAVE romantic engagement photo idea, and after you read this post all about Mel and Chase’s session… It’ll probably be one of yours, too.
Romantic Engagement Photo Ideas: Where to Take Engagement Photos With Meaning
The best piece of advice I can give you is to stop the “where to take engagement photos in Southern California” Google search, like… Right now. Because that’s not where you should start your engagement photo location search!! First, you should think about some places that are meaningful to you as a couple. For some of my couples, this looks like:
Their first date spot
Where they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend
Where they met
The coffee shop they frequent together
Their favorite thrift store
The beach they go to every weekend
The best part?? This can be literally ANYWHERE that means something to you guys.
Why Take Engagement Photos at a Meaningful Location?
When you guys choose to take your engagement photos somewhere like this… I swoon a little.
Not only is it one of those romantic things that feels like it could be a lyric out of a T Swift song, but it’s also a spot where you’re gonna look SOOO good for pictures because you’re comfortable there. Because, trust me, feeling awkward for pics is NEVER the move!!
I’ve seen how couples are in places that are brand new to them (a lot of “Ummm, where are we?” and stiffness because, like, overstimulation, probably) and how couples are in places that they’re familiar with (shoulders back, lots of movement + laughing, basically the energy of a date night). And I’m here to tell you, taking photos in a place that you’re already comfortable with makes a WORLD of difference. That’s when we get your whole ‘lil personality, and that’s what it’s actually all about!!
Where to Take Engagement Photos in SoCal: Some of My Favorite Spots as a SoCal Engagement Photographer
If you need some ideas for where to take engagement photos to make all the romantic engagement photo ideas of your DREAMS come to life, that’s what I’m here for. You don’t ever have to choose a spot all by yourself, because by the time our first call rolls around, I’ll probably be asking for every little minor detail of your love story and saying, “Oooh, what about here??!”
Wanna see some of my go-to places, as a SoCal engagement photographer, though?? You know I’ve got you!!
Where to Take Beach Engagement Photos in SoCal
Beaches come first, because I’m a beach lover through-and-through. I mean, these beach engagement photos?? I think about them ALL the time. Engagement photos where couples are running around silly, letting go of any perfection, and just goofing off on the beach are one of my literal favorite things ever.
Here are the beach engagement photo locations in SoCal that I’ll shout from the rooftops about to anyone who will listen:
Crystal Cove – and how to plan your engagement session there.
Shaw’s Cove Beach – with a planning guide, of course!!
Venice Beach – because… Iconic.
Best Locations for Romantic Outdoor Engagement Photos in SoCal
Okay, now if you’re wondering where to take engagement photos outdoors in SoCal that’s not a beach, I promise I have ideas for that, too!!
These spots make for some super dreamy, super romantic engagement photos that basically look like a movie every single time:
Venice Canals – it’s like Europe in California.
On a sailboat – I mean… Just LOOK at these!!
Lido Village – plus a whole lotta inspo.
Best Locations for Romantic Indoor Engagement Photos in SoCal
If the heat makes you angry… I get it. An indoor session might just be your best fit, because I usually prefer you smiling in your engagement pics than frowning because you can’t stop sweating, TBH.
Here are some of my faves!!:
At home – because what’s more romantic + special??!!
Your favorite ice cream shop, coffee shop, or bar.
The Getty Art Museum – perfect if you two are art lovers.
Historic Venues for Romantic Engagement Pictures
Searching for romantic engagement photo ideas on Pinterest might just be leading you to wanting to take your engagement photos at a historic venue, and, yeah… SoCal has some GORGEOUS historic venues, so why wouldn’t you be obsessed??
Don’t miss out on these spots that are SO stunning and feel ultra-cinematic:
The Historic Abbey – for the couple who watch Bridgerton like it’s their job.
Newhall Mansion – because what screams romance like a quaint little cottage house??
The Maxwell House – if you love peak California vibes!!
How to Choose an Engagement Photo Location That Just Fits Your Romantic Engagement Photo Ideas
Trust me, I know that choosing where to take engagement photos in SoCal can get tricky, because there are what feels like infinite beautiful options!!
When my couples are narrowing down their engagement photo locations… This is the #1 question I ask them: If you had no limits, where would you do it?
Sometimes that’s on the beach where they watched their first sunset as a couple, sometimes it’s the college campus they met at, and sometimes it’s states away in a dream location that they’ve always wanted to visit together. And as long as it feels like them??? I absolutely LOVE it.
Romantic Engagement Photo Ideas From Mel and Chase’s Beach Engagement Session
Mel and Chase’s is an engagement photo session that’s packed with romantic engagement photo ideas, tons of meaning, and, if I do say so myself, photos that could bring a tear to a grown man’s eye.
These two were originally gonna head down to Orange County to get beach engagement photos (since there are hundreds of options here, of course), but they last-minute asked me if I could come to Cannon Beach, Oregon. And, I mean… Was I supposed to say NO to that?!
They wanted to involve Chase’s family home, which has been a vacation spot for his family and friends throughout his whole life. Some of their most treasured memories as a couple centered around this house and the town, and yeah… We hit all of them. Their favorite bakery, their favorite coffee shop, all of these little spots that they felt like they needed to honor in this little corner of their world during such a special time.
We started at the house, meandering from the porch to the backyard while they had some wine and told me all sorts of memories about the neighborhood. Then, we took a little walk down to the coastal access at the end of the road, where we took in some incredible views before ending at Haystack Rock for sunset pics. By the end of the night, the sun was almost down, and the moon was SO beautiful. It was just the most gorgeous sunset and blue hour, and getting to spend it with these two during such a sweet time was SO dear to me!!
Cambria Shelley | SoCal Engagement Photographer
If Mel and Chase’s session doesn’t show you how choosing a meaningful engagement photo location can be one of the most romantic engagement photo ideas… I honestly don’t know what will. I think about this one all the time, and if you’re dreaming of engagement photos that feel like this… Let’s chat!!
