Engagement Photography, Laguna Beach, California

Photographing couples for the engagement photos is perhaps one of my favorite assignments. It's because they can be themselves without all of the stress and pressure they would encounter on a more regimented scheduled day like their wedding day. We basically have the time to "play" and experiment with different types of shots without worrying about time constraints.

Working on the beach in Laguna, California also adds to a stress free day, especially when shooting during the off season because we don't have the beach goers to contend with; we basically have the beach to ourselves.

I don't do all of my engagement shoots at the beach, I actually prefer not to; however, I do have plenty of brides and grooms who do want the California beach shoot, especially this couple who flew in for a destination beach engagement shoot.

I particularly enjoyed the shoot because the couple where looking for a more unique approach to their photos rather than a canned, posed park look. What made the shoot even more unique is that the young bride to be wore traditional Indian clothing; a Sari. We mad the most of it, especially working with the colors of her Sari. I also enjoyed the groom's choice of attire. The combination of clothing and the location created a stark contrast for their engagement photos.

However, it's not just the photos and location which made the images really "sing", but the playfulness of the couple and the visual sexual tension created in the photos that brought the entire session into sync.

Engagement Photography in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California

You can view some images from this engagement shoot by clicking any of the images below.

Wedding Engagement Photography in Orange County, California (Heisler Park)

It has been referred to, perhaps, as the most beautiful beachs in Southern California by travel magazines. On any given day in the summer, you will find a dozen wedding and portrait photographers jockeying for a position on the sand to capture their couples against the setting sun.This engagement photography location is Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, California (Orange County).

One of the main reasons I enjoy taking engagement photos at Heisler Park is due to it’s rock formations that add to a picturesque backdrop. My preferred time of year to photograph on the beach is winter; you can capture some awesome clouds as seen on the black and white engagement photo of the couple in the bottom right.

While Heisler Park is a great engagement photography location. I have photographed a weddings both on the beach and in the gazebo located on cliff drive, over looking the Pacific Ocean. However, if you plan on getting married on the beach, I would recommend inviting a few close family members and friends as the space is limited for larger weddings and parking can be a problem during the warmer months.

Some amenities of Hesiler Park include clean restrooms (which is nice when I have couples bring a change of clothes), nice grass areas, and bar-b-ques for picnicking. As I mentioned earlier, parking can be scarce during the summer or warm months, so you’ll want to plan your engagement or wedding shoot early in the day or during the winter or cooler months. Also, you’ll want to have quarters for the parking meters. They do take credit cards as well and a change machine is available on Cliff drive.

Engagement Photography in Orange County, (Southern) California

• Click to view samples of my beach engagement photography.
• For general photos of the beach and park, check this site out.

Engagement Photo Tips For A Successful Session

Photographing great moments between the bride and groom on their wedding day takes some preparation on the part of the wedding photographer as well as the chemistry that both the photographer and the bride & groom share. One sure way to build that rapport and get a sense of how the photographer likes to work and the comfort level of the couple is through the engagement photo session.

I personally like to spend the few hours with the couple on an engagement shoot, getting to know them as a couple and how they interact with each other and in public. Plus, they get the opportunity to work with me and see what I like as far as my style and how I prefer to direct them in a situation rather than pose them. I actually create a life situation and basically direct them giving them scenarios. I let the couple interpret what it means based on their own experience and viola, the magic moment is captured on film…ahem…I mean digital.

In this particular wedding engagement photo shoot photographed in Laguna Beach, California (Orange County), I basically created a scenario where the couple where stranded on a desert island and with each photo set-up, I gave them a scenario. From there, I let them interpret the situation and basically photographed them. In the above image to the right, the couple react to one of the situations I presented them, however, capturing their response was better than the actual situation.

Engagement Photography tips from California Wedding Photographer, Alyn Stafford

Below, are some tips for couples when it comes to selecting a wedding photographer and when it comes to taking the engagement session:

1. Select a photographer that best suits your personality. There are lost of wedding photographers in Southern California. If you do your homework, you’ll be able to find one that you “click” with. This is important when it comes time for your wedding photographs and engagement shoot. So plan far enough in advance and meet all of your photographers in person.
2. Request an Engagement Session. Even though you may not have it in your budget, it’s a good idea to work with your photographer before your wedding day. Most Southern California wedding photographers include an engagement session in their wedding packages and some offer it as an a la carte item. But whatever the situation, try and work it into your budget.
3. Select a location that speaks of you both as a couple. While some photographers will take you to a local park and not travel any further, your lifestyle engagement session is a reflection of you two as a couple. I have photographed couples at Disneyland, atop the ski lifts in Big Bear, on rooftops in Downtown Los Angeles at night, and the list goes on. If you prefer the park, that’s ok, but if you want something that truly represents you as a couple and your uniqueness, then make sure your photographer is willing to go the extra mile. On the same hand, you may have to pay extra for travel and any admission fees.
4. Set a two hour window. It is rare that it takes two hours for an engagement shoot, however, I have spent longer. Make sure your photographer is willing to accommodate you. Again, thee may be an hourly or travel fee, but it all depends on location and the photographer.
5. Ask for a warm-up shoot. I typically spend the first 10 minutes just photographing the couple without giving any direction. I like to see how they react and their comfort level. It’s also a way to get use to the camera if you, as a couple, haven’t done any photo shoots in public before. Most photographers shooting digital will have no problem with this. If your photographer is shooting with film, then make sure there are no extra film charges for the extra shoot.
6. Ask for individual shoots. During an engagement session, I like to provide the couple with a few individual images by themselves. It’s nice to have these photos as they can share it with family and friends or each other. Ask your photographer if there’s and extra sitting fee for this or if it can be included as part of the engagement session.
7. Bring an extra change of clothes. I like to have my couples bring something casual and then something a step up from casual and sometimes something dressy. It provides the couple with two different “looks” and actually looks like they get more for their money in the way of actual images. Plus it gives them more to choose form in case the bride or groom didn’t like one of the outfits. A side note: Make sure the location you are shooting at has a facility to where you can change.
8. Look for a mix of styles. When you interview your photographer, see their engagement photos either online or in their books. See if they use a mix of photographic technique. While this may not be important to many brides and grooms, those that like something different may complain if they select a photographer that really doesn’t use a mix of photographic styles; black and white, photo manipulation, etc.
9. Be yourself and have fun. The engagement photo shoot is suppose to be fun, so have fun. I like to tell my couples that find themselves in front of a crowed, that they really don’t know the people there and that they probably will never see them again, so who really cares whether people stop and stare. They are actually curious and a bit envious. So have fun and make the most of your engagement photo session.