Engagement Session Locations
The sky is the limit when planning where to take your engagement Photos. I love unique and personalized locations, like where you first met, a restaurant you like to go together, or where you spend your sunday afternoons.
Heisler Park, Laguna Beach
*Overview – Heisler Park is another beautiful beach for Engagement and Family Sessions. The rocky area easily accessible and there is a beautiful park above the beach that offers amazing views, a gazebo and some beautiful foliage.
*Limitations - Must be scheduled on low tide days, which can be forecasted. High tides can bring seaweed to the beach.
Victoria Beach, Laguna Beach
*Overview – Victoria Beach is a beautiful beach that features tidepools, beautiful rocky cliffs, and a unique castle like structure.
*Limitations - Must be scheduled on a low tide day which can be forecasted. The waves, or swell can not be forecasted before scheduling, so sometimes limits which areas we can shoot.
Permit - Permit required and is $100
Table Rock Beach, Laguna Beach
*Overview – Table Rock beach is a gorgeous beach in South Laguna. It is at the bottom of a long wood staircase, and has a gorgeou rock formation in the middle of the cove. There are no tidal pools here.
Little Corona, Corona Del Mar
*Overview – Little Corona is another beautiful beach for Engagement and Family Sessions. There are beautiful scenic views at the top of the cliff and gorgeous rocky and sandy shoreline on the beach. Tall rocks jut out from the sand, and there are large boulders on the beach. Must be scheduled on a low tide day.
*Limitations - Must be scheduled on low tide days, which can be forecasted.
Permit- To my knowledge, no permit is required.
Newport Back Bay
*Overview – Newport Back Bay is a perfect choice for Engagements and Family Sessions. It offers a cute bridge, a scenic viewpoint, and brush trails along the waterways of the bay. It is also close enough to Newport Beach for a first location choice.
Permit- To my knowledge, no permit is required.
Moulton Meadows, Laguna Beach
*Overview – Moulton Meadows is located less than a mile from Victoria Beach. You will find golden fields, mountain views, and beautiful trees.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required.
James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Canyon
*Overview – James Dilley Preserve is located on the 133 in Laguna Canyon. It is golden in the summer and sometimes green in the winter with rolling fields and shady trees.
*Limitations - The park closes at 5pm and there is no parking past that time. This park is ideal for winter and fall engagement shoots when the sun is setting before or at 7pm.
Permit - OC Parks permit is required, which Sarah Mack Photo provides free of charge.
Downton Laguna Beach
John F Riley Wilderness Park, Coto De Caza
*Overview – John F Riley wilderness is located in Coto De Caza. It features golden hills, and a shady meadow with huge fallen root systems.
*Limitations - The park closes at sunset, so no night photos are allowed here.
Permit - OC Parks permit is required, which Sarah Mack Photo provides free of charge.
Quail Hill, Irvine
*Overview – Quail HIll Trailhead offers beautiful green trees with tall green grass that looks the same year round. It also features scenic golden rolling hills. In the spring the hills are sometimes covered with tall yellow wildflowers!
Permit - No Permit Required. Dogs are allowed!
Willow Canyon Trail, Laguna Canyon
*Overview – Willow Canyon is located on the 133 in Laguna Canyon. It is golden in the summer and sometimes green in the winter with rolling fields and shady trees.
*Limitations - The park closes at 5pm and there is no parking past that time. This park is ideal for winter and fall engagement shoots when the sun is setting before or at 7pm.
Permit - OC Parks permit is required, which Sarah Mack Photo provides free of charge.
The Mission, San Juan Capistrano
Overview – The Mission in San Juan Capistrano is a breathtaking Spanish Mission featuring beautiful ancient architecture.
*Limitations - The Mission closes at 5pm. The Mission is ideal for Fall and Winter sessions where the sun is setting earlier.
Permit - $75 permit for one hour.
Pasadena City Hall
Overview – Pasadena City Hall features stunning grand architecture for a very elegant look.
*Limitations - Pasadena City Hall is a popular location for photo sessions, so sometime you will have to wait for certain locations to become free.
Permit - Permit is recommended $75 permit for one hour.
Griffith Observatory
*Overview – Breathtaking views of Downtown Los Angeles and gorgeous architecture. There is also a nature trail to offer a wooded look. Recommended for sunset and night photography when downtown is lit up.
*Limitations - Griffith Observatory is a popular tourist destination, so crowds and parking can be challenging. It is recommend to only shoot here on Mondays, when the Observatory is closed so parking is easier.
Permit - No permit required, however only Natural Light photography is permitted.
Your Favorite Restaurant
*Overview – PIcking on of your favorite restaurants is always a great option. It can offer a unique and elegant backdrop.
*Limitations - Permission from the establishment must be secured before the shoot by the client. This option is best in the fall and winter when the sun is setting earlier, so we can start at the restaurant before the dinner crowds.
Permit - Client is responsible for contacting establishment and asking for premission.
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Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano
*Overview – Los Rios St in San Juan Capistrano is a quaint shopping district with a variety of rustic shops. The area also offers a train station with beautiful Brick Buildings.
*Limitations - Some shops do not allow photos, and walking on the train track is not permitted.
Caspers Park, San Juan Capistrano
*Overview – Caspers Park in San Juan Capistrano is a beautifully wooded park with plentiful large trees and high grass.. In spring you can sometimes find a small rocky stream. During the summer is is golden.
Permit - OC Parks permit is required, which Sarah Mack Photo provides free of charge.
In Home Engagement
*Overview – Choosing to do your engagement photos in the comfort of your own home is a great way to create intimate and personal session. Your style as a couple shows through, and you can even do the session in your PJ's!
Hotel or Rental
*Overview – A hotel or a hip rental property can offer a super stylish and comfortable editorial session. There are a plethora of super cute and well curated rental property to choose from!
Limitations- Some property owners prohibit photo shoots in on their property without consent. If it is just the 3 of us, it is not typically an issue, but its always best to read the rules when renting.
Santa Monica Pier
*Overview – Gorgeous beach with pier in background. Also able to shoot on the pier and in the Amusement Park. Recommended for sunset and night photography.
*Limitations - It is a very popular tourist destination so parking and crowds can be challenging in peak summer months.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required.
Newport Beach Pier
*Overview – Gorgeous beach with pier in background.Close by Newport Harbor and the Newport Fun Zone for amusement park location.
*Limitations - It is a very popular tourist destination so parking and crowds can be challenging in peak summer months.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required.
Balboa Island, Newport Beach
*Overview – Balboa Island and Newport Fun Zone are super cute location choices! Balboa Island offers some cute docks, and Newport Fun Zone has an adorable ferris wheel for a colorful summertime session.
*Limitations - Weekdays only to avoid the crowds.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required.
Huntington Beach Central Park
*Overview – Huntington Beach Central Park is a large park featuring a lake, and beautiful wooded areas.
Permit - To my knowledge, there is no permit required.
Destination Engagements
*Overview – Take me with you! The sky is the limit when thinking of your engagement location. I am always willing to travel to new and beautiful places. I have photographed engagement sessions in New Orleans, Seattle, Tulum, Mammoth, Las Vegas and many more. Travel fees and accommodations apply and are based on a case by case basis. Please inquire!
Malaga Cove Library, Rancho Palos Verdes
Rancho Palos Cliffs and Beaches | Malaga Cove
Downtown Los Angeles
*Overview – Downtown LA offers some really cool location options. The art district offers some unique graffiti and a more edgy look. The area around Grand Park offers some beautiful fountains, architecture and urban scenes.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
*Overview – Beautiful modern architecture that offers and elegant background with a lush green garden.
*Limitations - Natural light only. Flash and tripods are not allowed at this location. Parts of the hall can sometimes be closed for private parties or concerts.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required.
A Studio Location
*Overview – Studio engagement or portrait sessions are a really cool way to mix it up with your location choice. FD Studios in LA offers a variety of different looks and studios to fit the style you are going for.
Permit - Clients are responsible for studio booking fees.
Big Bear and Local Mountains
*Overview – Big Bear, Wrightwood and Mount Baldy are some local mountains that are absolutly beautiful! In the summertime most mountains offer a scenic pass for their lifts, so we can get the summit for some gorgeous views!
*Limitations - For winter sessions a four wheel drive vehicle and snow chains may required to get up the mountains safely.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required. Travel fees apply and vary for mountain sessions depending on the mountain choice.
Mammoth Engagements
*Overview – Mammoth Mountain and the surrounding areas are absolutely stunning and one of my favorite places for engagements. There are a plethora of gorgeous lakes, creeks and mountain views to choose from.
*Limitations - Mammoth sessions are typically done on Friday evenings. For winter sessions a four wheel drive vehicle and snow chains may required to get up the mountains safely.
Permit - To my knowledge, no permit is required. Travel fees apply, however I love an excuse to get away to the mountains, so I am able to offer a great deal!