Engagement Photography for San Diego weddings used to be a simple affair.  When I got engaged here six years ago, I headed to the beach with my sweetheart, a great photographer, and about 45 minutes until sunset.  That’s when photo shoots for engaged couples were very simple.  No longer do a few pictures on the beach at sunset do.  Engagement photography has truly become fine art.  A couple of hours is now the minimum amount of time set aside by my brides and grooms.  Most shoots involve multiple locations, a beautiful wardrobe of outfit changes, and whimsical  props.  We’ve seen this trend develop as wedding photography, itself, has evolved.  Once considered second-rate, wedding photographers are now highly esteemed as some of the greatest photographic talent out there.  Sara of Sara France Photography worked with my clients Jessica and Andrew to create a number of looks they had personally designed.  Check out the amazing photos below.  These will truly be treasured!

Engagement photos have truly become art.  They are the portraits that will hang on walls for years (even decades!) to come–and often decorate part of the wedding itself.  They capture the love of the couple at one of its sweetest times…and capture us girls at probably one of the seasons that we look our best (I hang my 30-year-old engagement, wedding, and honeymoon photos all over my house!)  And they serve as time pieces that will be highly valued for years and years.  I am completely in love with this trend!

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First of all, set aside time!  Photography like this can’t happen in an hour.  Think of locations that showcase the two of you as a couple and clothes that show your personalities.  And please don’t perfectly match!  Being in the same color scheme but in different pieces (and even patterns and textures) is much more visually interesting.  Then add props that feel fun and very you!  Scour the internet to see what other couples have done for fun ideas.  And even if you’re already married, consider doing this same concept with your family.  For our Christmas cards this year, I again headed to the beach with my sweetheart and now my 2-year-old son and we brought our surfboards, a volleyball, sand toys, and yes, two different outfits and hung out as long as said 2-year-old would let us.  And yes, those photos are now hanging on my wall in our surf-inspired decor (and I can still wear short shorts at 36, so why not?).  Regular time pieces like these are an invaluable treasure! I highly recommend it!