Capturing engagement photos in Los Angeles is almost like fishing in a well stocked lake, it’s almost effortless. There are so many spots to take engagement photos in the city center and surrounding areas. This weeks engagement photography location of the week takes us to downtown Los Angeles. The main photo in this post was taken atop an apartment complex off of Figeuroa Street in Downtown LA.. Fortunately, the couple lived in the complex and we didn’t ask permission to go on top. The only thing I wished I had was a flash light as I was looking around my photo gadget bag for my lenses. In other words, if you’re going to take photos atop of any building, you should take a long a flashlight. I found many opportunities to capture this couple in and around the building.
Engagement Photography in Los Angeles
In the black and white photo, I used the stairwell in the building to create an “after hours” mood where the couple rendezvoused in the stairwell for a private moment. I like to tell stories when it comes to engagement photography. I think the couples get more out of it, at least more than just a nice photo of them in a park somewhere.
I have a very short list of suggested spots to take your engagement photography. I have provided a link to the sites I could find online. Some of the pages have photos to give you an idea of what the place looks like so you can plan your shoot. In addition, you can get the addresses so you can get driving directions.
L.A. area Engagement Photography Locations:
- The Music Center (link is to the directions page)
- Anywhere in downtwon L.A. where there are building backgrounds
- In front of city hall on Spring Street
- The Central Library on 5th Street(very nice to grab a few images there)
- China Town (my personal favorite)
- Union station (link is to wikipedia and info about Unison Station with some photos)
- Olivera Street (when it’s crowded)
- In front of the Coliseum
- USC (My alma mater – many great spots on the campus – try Mudd Hall of Philosophy)
This weeks engagement photography location takes us to Oceanside pier in San Diego County. The pier is one of the longest wooden pier’s on the west
Engagement Photography on Oceanside Pier
coast and provides a great photo opportunity for couples interested in having their engagement photos taken on a pier. In addition to photographing on the pier, there are opportunities to capture images under the pier as well, next to the rocks which are located just underneath the structure.
On this particular engagement photo shoot, the couple where hoping to capture a shot of them silhouetted against a setting sun. Unfortunately, trying to capture the shot proved to be futile as there was heavy cloud coverage, something you may expect if you are planning a photo shoot in the Oceanside or San Diego beach areas. The photo I selected to showcase in this post is perhaps one of my favorites due to the intermittent lighting of the sun dodging the clouds. It provided for some great shadows in the foreground and using a mauve filter on the camera, I was able to add a little color to an otherwise gray sky.
It does appear as though the couple are the only two people on the pier, however, the opposite is true. We just waited where there where no pedestrians in the shot. Otherwise, the pier and beach where crowded, even though it was overcast and cold. When working in busy environments, one bit of advice I have for both the photographer and couple is to be patient. The end reslt can yeild an image you free of people, unless of course you are wanting to add the foot traffic as ambiance to your photo.
I’ve included a few additional images, sans the couple, of the day and one of the evening from the same photo shoot.
The pier is located off of 3rd street in Oceanside. Take plenty of change for the parking meters. If you plan on taking a change of clothes – as I recommend to my couples so we get a variety of photos – they do have restrooms on the pier. And if you get hungry, Ruby’s Restaurant is at the end of the pier.
For additional information, you may want to check this site out.
I’ve added a few additional images, not of the engaged couple, but just some fun images of the ocean. The image of the boat in the water was taken to the north of the pier about the same time the image of the couple above was (the clouds where rolling in fast). And the image of the coastline was taken on the pier looking south in the evening.
Image photographed off of the Oceanside Pier looking north
Image of Oceanside coastline at night. Photo taken off of the Oceanside Pier looking south.
It’s probably one of the best kept secrets in Redlands, when it comes to wedding and engagement photography; Kimberly Crest is a picturesque French chateau style home (built in 1897) surrounded by Italian terraced gardens.
What makes Kimberly Crest a desirable engagement photography location are the gardens ‘ never ending Mediterranean borders, cascading fountains, lily and koi ponds, multiple terraces, curved stairways and engulfing orange groves which is all reminiscent of Renaissance Italy.
You can get an idea of the grounds through the engagement photos I have taken of a couple at the location.
One note however, there is a fee for taking photos at Kimberly Crest. I’m not sure of the exact fee (I don’t recall the amount at the moment). For current rates, you can give the manor a call at 909-792-2111. Chances are if you don’t pay the fee, someone may request that you either do or leave the property.
Here’s a link if you need directions. and the address is:
1325 Prospect Drive
Redlands, CA 92373
www.kimberlycrest.org
Engagement Photography Slide Show – Kimberly Crest
