Our Favorite Locations for Engagement and Couple’s Photoshoots in Southern California
Los Angeles and Southern California are home to some of the most gorgeous locations for engagement and portrait photoshoots. Whether you’re looking for an iconic beach, an intimate and historic venue, or lush greenery, there are plenty of options for you to choose from! It’s no wonder couples travel from all around the world to have their engagement photos and weddings set against the breathtaking backdrop of Southern California. Below, we’ve compileda guide of some of our favorite locations and venues for couple’s and engagement photos, including some tips and permit information.
Joshua Tree National Park
Park Entrance Fee: $30
Located just 50 miles north of Palm Springs, California, where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts collide, Joshua Tree National Park is home to majestic California vistas including otherworldly rock formations, desert landscapes, and the iconic Joshua Tree. The golden light at sunset is unbeatable. The best seasons for engagement sessions are Spring and Autumn, and we are very familiar with private and intimate locations within this expansive park which work best for photos. Check out a selection of images from Frankie & Hale’s engagement announcement here.
Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills
Permit Fee: $395/hr
Overlooking Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, with views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean, Greystone Mansion is an ideal location if you’re looking for a luxurious European-style estate. Boasting beautiful formal English gardens and terraces overlooking the palatial grounds, Greystone is one of our favorite locations for weddings and engagement photos. Check out photos from Zlata and Brett’s wedding portraits here.
Crystal Cove, Newport Beach
Permit Fee: $100
Nestled halfway between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach along a dramatic stretch of coastline, Crystal Cove State Park is a quintessential Southern California gem. Crystal Cove offers a variety of photogenic scenery. Our couples also love this location for their engagement photos because, though it is a public state park, it is often quiet and less crowded. With its breathtaking seaside bluffs, inviting beaches, quaint boardwalk, and privacy, Crystal Cove is the ultimate coastal location for engagement photos. Check out photos from Sam and Matt’s engagement session here.
Griffith Park
No Permit Required
Griffith Park is situated in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles, California. This urban retreat offers panoramic views of Los Angeles from Downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean and even the Hollywood Sign! Miles of hiking trails adorn it's foothills and is home to the Old Los Angeles Zoo. This location is full of intimate spots, lush greenery, and miles of trails to choose from when planning your engagement session. Check out photos from Brynn and Britta’s Griffith Park session here.
Palm Springs Resorts
Permits Vary
There are a number of private golf clubs and resorts around Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, and the Coachella Valley. Opportunities for engagement photography at any one of these locations are endless and will allow you to capture the authentic feel of Southern California. As a bonus, if you are booking your wedding venue at one of these locations, you may inquire about utilizing the venue for your engagement photos. This will provide a private and intimate way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials! Check out photos from Ashley and Matt’s elegant engagement session here.
El Matador State Beach
Permit Fee: $100
El Matador State Beach is an iconic Southern California location that has been featured in numerous films and it’s not hard to see why: dramatic cliffs provide an awe-inspiring backdrop. This is a favorite location for engagement sessions, especially for adventurous couples who are willing to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean. Parking can be a major challenge here. We’d always recommend choosing a weekday for the best chance at finding parking and avoiding the crowds. See more images of Ross and Justin’s couple’s session here.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Reservation Required
Santa Barbara is an enchanting town on California’s central coast with a variety of backdrops perfect for engagement photos. Framed by the striking Santa Ynez Mountains, it features historic adobes, breathtaking beaches and stunning vineyards. The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is a cultural landmark with gorgeous courtyards, fountains, and gardens that evoke the romance of early Spanish California. If you’re looking for something more intimate and historic for your engagement session, this is the perfect place! Check out more photos from Kimmy and Zach’s engagement session here.
Malibu Creek State Park
Permit Fee: $100
Malibu conjures images of sand and sea. But what you may not know is that Malibu is also home to majestic mountain scenery, beautiful chaparrals, and ancient California Black Oaks keeping watch over it all. Malibu Creek State Park, located just a few miles inland of Malibu, is a fantastic location for engagement photos and even small elopements or weddings, with a variety of vistas from dramatic valley landscapes, to lush oak groves, to golden fields surrounded by the Santa Monica Mountains.
Los Angeles Arboretum
Permit Fee: $75, plus $15 admission per person
The Los Angeles Arboretum is a fantastic location for engagement or couples photography. With a variety of exotic and global inspired gardens, picturesque water fountains, and bamboo groves with immense green shoots reaching toward the heavens— provide a magical backdrop for an unfolding love story. See more of David and Tim’s engagement photos here.
Saguaro Palm Springs
Permit Required, Call for Pricing
Palm Springs is a magical oasis in the Sonoran Desert of Southern California famous for its mid-century architecture, arts scene, and connection to old Hollywood as a playground for famous movie stars and rock stars. It’s no wonder that so many couples choose the desert for their engagement photos. If you’re looking for a vibrant oasis with a youthful vibe, the iconic and colorful Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel is the way to go, offering an ideal location for engagement photos and even weddings!
Palm Springs Desert
No Permit Required
Palm Springs is iconic for its connection to old Hollywood, it’s mid-century aesthetic, and a bustling arts scene. But it is also home to some natural landscapes unlike any other place in the world. The desert vistas just outside of the city offer gorgeous portrait options for your engagement session or wedding, framed by the San Jacinto Mountains—perfect for a desert picnic! Take a look at more photos from Jack and Marco’s engagement session here.
Santa Barbara Beach
No Permit Required
The Central California coast is one of the most magical places on earth. And beautiful Santa Barbara, complete with it’s historic pueblos, small beach town vibes, and awe-inspiring natural vistas is a jewel of the coast! The beaches of Santa Barbara are second-to-none, and offer stunning landscapes and warm, soft sands perfect for a romantic photoshoot, engagement session, or elopement!
Griffith Observatory
No Permit Required
The grand Griffith Observatory is an acclaimed historical LA landmark and an art deco masterpiece. The Observatory boasts a rich history and unparalleled views, all right in the heart of Los Angeles. This location is a tourist hot spot, so we’re recommend scheduling your photoshoot or engagement session during the week. Sunrise is also a great time of day that tends to be less busy!
Manhattan Beach
No Permit Required
The iconic pier at Manhattan Beach in Southern California is an incredible location for an engagement session or couples photos. Framed by the rustic wooden pier beams and the glow of the Pacific sunset, taking photos here is surreal, dreamy, and romantic! Sunset in Manhattan Beach is a stunning site, and we’d recommend taking advantage of the gorgeous light off the Pacific Ocean for your photos! See more photos from Qui and Qi’s Manhattan Beach photoshoot here.
Palm Springs wedding photographer Todd Danforth Photography is an LGBTQ+ and POC-owned wedding photography team specializing in capturing joyful and candid moments. As storytellers and craftspeople, we believe in the power of visual narratives. Our mission is to create honest and authentic photographs you can share with your loved ones for generations to come.