Top Orange County Engagement Photoshoot Locations

Hey there! So, you finally locked in your life long partner and you put a ring on it & now you are an engaged couple looking to start the wedding planning process, aren't ya? 

Well, first of all, congratulations! The engagement period is truly one-of-a-kind, as soon enough, you’ll be practically pulling your hair out from all the wedding planning! Joking aside, this is one of the best moments for lovebirds like yourselves, so make sure to enjoy every second of it, because as you’ll see very quickly, the engagement period doesn’t last as long as you’d imagine. With hat said, it’s important to commemorate this special time, and what better way to do that than with an engagement photoshoot to kick off the wedding planning?!

However, when it comes to choosing the location for your session, things might not be as easy as you may think, especially if you live in Southern California. Simply put, there is a stunning, picturesque location practically at every corner, so deciding on the right one is almost as hard as quantum physics. But don’t worry – I’ve got you covered! In this blog, I will highlight some of the best Orange County engagement photo shoot locations, promising gorgeous sceneries perfect for your session!

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1) Quail Hill, Irvine

First on the list of the most amazing Orange County engagement photo shoot locations is the scenic Quail Hill in Irvine, California. Not only does it stretch as far as the eye can see (600 acres, to be specific), but it also changes its form throughout the seasons, providing a backdrop beyond your wildest dreams. With that said, during the spring and summertime, the lush greenery provides a whimsical effect, while the golden hues of fall completely take it over, so you can only imagine how it looks at sunset! Best of all, it isn’t typically crowded, so we can shoot for as long as we like!

2) Treasure Island, Laguna Beach

The rock formations at Treasure Island in Laguna Beach will blow your mind away! Additionally, it features a cave that is a favorite amongst many engaged and married couples simply because its dramatic scenery is unparalleled. There are SO many areas to work with at Treasure Island. You have the beach down below, and right above is a nice walkable park that overlooks the beach. Not only great for photoshoots, but also a great spot to have a picnic, hang out with friends and family and more! I would suggest visiting Treasure Island just before the sun sets as the scenery looks majestic in photos - and in real life!

3) Victoria Beach, Laguna Beach

Victoria Beach is undoubtedly one of the best Orange County engagement photo shoot locations, and its crowds are a testament to that. As one of the most popular beaches of Laguna Beach, so many lovebirds like it because of the pirate tower and the unique black-and-white building that makes it stand out from the rest. I especially love it when the weather is moody, making up the perfect setting for the most romantic photoshoot you’ll ever see!

4) Noguchi Garden, Costa Mesa

Taking a step back from all the natural wonders, Noguchi Garden is still very much natural. However, what is unique about it is the fact that it features urban & industrial elements that simply make it pop! This charming Japanese garden is adorned with a Pyramid and even a man-made river, so you can already imagine how many options we have on our hands! Also, because the Pyramid is made from reflective glass, it’s best to have your photo shoot on cloudy days, as the reflections of it look dreamy and modern at the same time.

5) Carbon Canyon, Yorba Linda

Next on the list of gorgeous Orange County engagement photo shoot locations is the stunning Carbon Canyon, Yorba Linda – an amazing natural park with a lot of open space as well that offers the most mystique settings. Although it’s a favorite for hikers since the Red Grove is nothing short of spectacular, it can be the ideal place to commemorate this special moment. Carbon Canyon even features equestrian trails, so if we’re lucky, we might even include some majestic steeds in your photoshoot as well!

6) Heisler Park, Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach seems to be taking the cake when it comes to the top Orange County engagement photo shoot locations, doesn’t it? However, compared to the previous options, Heisler Park in Laguna Beach doesn’t feature dramatic cliffs but rather a pristine beach that doesn’t come around too often – we Californians know that all too well. It’s especially beautiful on windy days since the waves reach up so high you feel like they’ll eat you alive! That said, it’s best to keep our distance during our session. On top of that, it also has plenty of scenic pathways enriched with vibrant greenery, meaning that we have so many locations to shoot I think I’ll have to bring additional memory cards!

7) Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Irvine

You cannot believe how long the Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine is! But the length of it actually works in our favor – we have so many spots to take your engagement photos! Since it is a woodland, it changes its look from season to season but always remains beautiful and picture-perfect. However, Jeffrey Open Space Trail gets pretty crowded throughout the entire year, especially from October to December, since many photographers like myself are hired to capture engagement shoots for lovebirds like yourselves. With that in mind, make your bookings as early as possible.

8) The Mission, San Juan Capistrano

Finally, the historic Mission in San Juan Capistrano is the last of my favorite Orange County engagement photo shoot locations. Though I personally have not done any shoots at this location yet, I am hoping to one day! If you are an engaged couple reading this, this is your sign to book your engagement session here and book me as your photographer haha.  Its ancient cobbled architecture looks great for vintage-themed photoshoots but can also work well as a contrast if you’re going for something more modern. We’ll also make sure to ring the church bells so all of San Juan Capistrano can hear the sound of your unique love story!

These were some of my favorite Orange County engagement photo shoot locations but know there’s a lot more where that came from! As I said before, The OC is filled with so many unique locations, so choosing the perfect one will be quite the challenge. Luckily, you have me to guide you, so rest assured that your engagement shoot will be nothing short of fantastic and fun moments!

If you’re in need of an Orange County engagement photographer or have any questions about my services, don’t hesitate to contact me at any time!