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.
Church in San Diego showing sign as an establishing photo.
It’s pretty much like making a movie; you have an establishing shot of a scene and then you move into the scene itself. With wedding photography, it should be an automatic response to capture the “establishing shot” – where the wedding is taking place. The point of this photo is perhaps an obvious one; you want to create an image of where the couple was married. In addition, this image can be added to the wedding album, whether a traditional one or flush mount/magazine style album. Aside from photographing the actual wedding venue, another establishing photo can be of the reception site.
There are several options that a photographer can exercise when
Zosa Gardens, San Diego County
it comes to capturing the establishing photo of a wedding, however, my focus for this post is the use of signs (since this is part of my signs in your wedding photography series).
Perhaps the most common image is one where you have the bride and groom posed in front of the sign as in the image to the right. Here we have the couple standing in front of the gates to their wedding venue – Zosa Gardens in Valley Center (San Diego County). However, you may want to capture a more creative pose as seen in the photo of the couple kissing as the exit the church. Visible, is the name of the church where the couple where married; another good example of an establishing shot.
Handlery Hotel in San Diego
Finally, you may not have access to the couple or prefer an image without them visible (left). I suggest taking a photo of the couple in front of the sign and one without. This gives both the photographer and couple an option when design their wedding album.
You don’t necessarily have to make the establishing photo as blatant as having the couple stand in front of the sign or the sign of the wedding venue by itself, but it is nice to capture such an image as an alternative to show the couple.
Some ideas for capturing establishing photos of the couples wedding and reception venue:
- The wedding/reception venue sign by itself
- The building/structure of the wedding venue
- A photo of the overall site, including the building
- The invitation (if it has the name of the location – as most do)
- An image of the couple walking away with the venue sign in the background
- A photo of the couple in the background (out of focus) with the wedding venue sign in the foreground
- The wedding party in front of the name of the wedding/reception location
- The limo driving in to the wedding site with a shot of the building in the background and name of the site in the foreground
This by no means is a complete list. Actually, there is perhaps an endless amount of ideas; you’re only limited by your imagination. If you have any of your own suggestions, whether you are a photographer, bride, or groom…or anyone for that matter, plesae do leave a comment.
