18Apr

Beachy Engagements

By, April 18, 2017

When it comes to a beach engagement shoot, there are many options to choose from. This is because San Diego is a beach lover’s paradise, with miles and miles of gorgeous coastline. Each beach has its own special charm, so it’s hard to choose a favorite!

When selecting a beach location for you photo shoot, it is important to consider the surrounding areas.  For example, if a fun commercial area or pier is nearby, then a nice variety of photos can be captured within the same shoot. It’s also good to time your shoot near sunset, when the light conditions are amazing. Here is a quick overview of some of our most recommended beach locations:

La Jolla Shores

This beach is famous among locals and tourists alike, and a surfer’s paradise. At La Jolla Shores, there are magnificent views of the golden coast of La Jolla, and the iconic Scripps Pier. If your shoot is during low tide, the awesome cliffs at the north side of the beach can be reached. There are also plenty of off-beach locations within walking distance, like Scripps Seaside Forum, the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the Pedestrian Bridge on La Jolla Shores Drive.

Windansea Beach

This beautiful stretch of coastline in La Jolla has many rocky cliffs, and a nice sandy beach at low tide.  Throughout Windansea Beach, there are many long staircases, which make for great photo opportunities. There are also views of the ocean from the street level, and the surrounding neighborhood provides a good balance to the beach!

Check out more Windansea Beach engagement photos

Coronado South Beach

Voted as the #1 beach in America, this beach is the crown jewel of Coronado Island. South Beach has soft white sand, and unforgettable views of Point Loma and the Gulf of Santa Catalina. The beach itself has a picturesque jetty, and jaw-dropping sand dunes. Fun fact – the dunes actually spell out the word ‘Coronado’ when viewed from above! Nearby, you’ll find the world-renowned Hotel del Coronado, and Glorietta Bay, both of which provide many fabulous photo opportunities.

Check out more Coronado Beach Engagement photos

Mission Beach

Where else can you find two miles of glorious beach, an iconic California boardwalk, and a nostalgic theme park? All of these attributes make Mission Beach a great choice for a fun and colorful photoshoot. If you walk across the street, you also have access to Mission Bay, which has spectacular views and nautical backdrops.

Check out more Mission Beach engagement photos

Solana Beach

The Solana Beach Area has much to offer in terms of a photoshoot. The pristine beach at Fletcher’s Cove has amazing rock faces, and breathtaking views of the coastline. A few feet away is the eclectic ‘Design District’ which has tons of cool backdrops all along Cedros Avenue. Also nearby is the Solana Beach Coaster Station, which has unique and appealing photo spots.

Check out more Solana Beach engagement photos

Pacific Beach

Make your California dreams come true! Also known as PB (no, not Peanut Butter..lol), Pacific Beach is home to the iconic Crystal Pier, and many great beachfront establishments. The beach itself stretches into the cliffs of La Jolla, and is a popular spot among surfers and sun-seekers. The community comes alive in the evening hours, where the neighborhood haunts become fun and boisterous hangouts.

Check out more Pacific Beach engagement photos

Torrey Pines State Beach

If you are looking for the California golden coast, look no further! Torrey Pines State Beach is located at the base of 300-foot cliffs, which stretch for miles and miles. The beach itself is a combination of sand and beautiful water-polished stones. Just off the beach is the Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, which boasts great hiking trails and phenomenal ocean views. Be prepared to walk a little :)

Check out more Torrey Pines State Beach engagement photos

La Jolla Cove

The Cove is a scenic locale in La Jolla with intimate beaches and picturesque cliffs. Because the area is rich in marine life, you may even get photobombed by a sea lion ;) Near the ocean is a nice green park, and downtown La Jolla, which has many cool spots.

Check out more La Jolla Cove engagement photos

Sunset Cliffs/Ocean Beach

Sunset Cliffs… the name says it all! This is one of the best places to witness a sunset, bar none. With its winding roads and sheer cliffs, there are many unforgettable views within a small area. If you venture to the south end of Sunset Cliffs, there is a nature preserve, with trees and and hiking trails. Nearby, down a long winding staircase, you will find welcoming tide pools. There is even secluded beach access during low tide….if you are willing to do some off-roading :) To the North of Sunset Cliffs is the free-spirited Ocean Beach community, which features the longest concrete pier in the US, and other beachy urban backgrounds.

Check out more Sunset Cliffs and Ocean Beach engagement photos

more beach engagement photo shoots

24May

Commercial Photo Shoot | Yoga at Hotel Marisol

By, May 24, 2016

The Hotel Marisol is a hidden gem on the beautiful island of Coronado, California. This charming boutique property is tucked away on a quiet street, just steps away from shops, restaurants and the pristine white-sand Coronado beach. The hotel caters to locals as well as visitors, and is a nice, relaxing spot for a couples’ getaway.

Recently, the Hotel Marisol began offering Yoga to their guests in the form of small group classes, and even one-on-one instruction. The classes are fully customizable, and take place throughout the hotel property, or in the nearby park or beach. The yoga is paired with a nourishing breakfast, including a variety of blended juices.

In order to showcase all of the healthy options being offered, we were brought on to create the photography for the hotel’s print and online campaigns. While photographing, we set up external light sources to ensure crisp, clean photos. Also, to highlight the hotel’s beautiful surroundings, we made use of a variety of wide-angle and zoom lenses. It was a great shoot, and we hope you enjoy our selection of resulting photos.

Photography of Yoga Class on the Beach
Yoga instruction at Hotel Marisol in Coronado
Fit Women at Hotel MarisolPrivate Yoga Classes at Hotel Marisol Yoga commercial photo shootYoga PhotoshootHealthy lifestyle photo shootPhoto shoot of Yoga at Hotel MarisolYoga instruction at Hotel MarisolComercial Photography at Hotel MarisolLifestyle Yoga Photographer Commercial PhotographyYoga commercial photo shoot

07Apr

Coronado Beach Wedding | Christy and Stephen

By, April 07, 2016

Christy and Stephen both love the ocean, and decided to hold their ceremony right on the beach. The vow exchange took place in Coronado, on the sand, with a reception at the nearby Coronado Community Center. Since the locations were close together, the couple had not only a fun indoor celebration, but also a gorgeous oceanfront sunset. It really was the best of both worlds.

Sunset newlyweds portrait on the beach at Coronado Island

Christy’s bold and colorful bouquet was by InStyle Event Planning, and she rocked an intricate lace wedding dress from D’Angelo Couture.

Coronado's Grand Historical Mansion Bride with bridal flower and dressThe “Getting Ready” photos took place at The Grand Historical Mansion, one of Coronado’s premiere estates. In the photos of Christy, below, we took advantage of the soft natural light coming through the window, and used it to highlight this lovely bride.

Coronado Island wedding bride getting ready at Grand Historical Mansion

In portraits like the one of Stephen, below, we made sure to include details of the manor, such as these old-world carved wooden doors.

Grand Historical Mansion portrait of groom inside archwayCoronado beach groom portrait with flask in limo and on beach

Pictured below is the backyard of The Grand Historical Mansion, with its lush plants and mature trees. Goofy photos are always fun to create, and these bridal parties definitely “jumped” at the opportunity:)

Grand Historical Mansion bridal wedding partyCoronado Island Groom and groomsmen at Grand Historical MansionCoronado beach bride and groom portrait in black and whiteCoronado beach bride and groom closeup portrait

Who can resist a ceremony featuring a beloved yellow lab?

Coronado wedding ceremony with dog walking down the aisleCoronado Wedding Ceremony with flower girl walking down the aisleCoronado wedding ceremony with bride and father walking the processionalCoronado beach wedding ceremony

By anticipating important photo opportunities, we were able to switch quickly from wide-angle to zoom, and capture the ring exchange moment in close-up detail.

Coronado beach closeup of ring shotWedding couple kissing on beach at CoronadoCoronado, California wedding couple kissing at beach wedding ceremonyBridal party cheers while wedding couple dip and kiss on Coronado beachYellow lab with wedding outfit and newlywedsCoronado beach sunset portrait of bride and groom

A carefully crafted ring shot helps to tell the story of the day, and can also hold personal meaning. For example, in the photo below, we used Christy and Stephen’s bible to create a heart, which was then framed around their rings.

Wedding ring shot inside bible

Congratulations to this happy couple! For more, check out our gallery of Christy and Steven’s Coronado Beach wedding.

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