Why you should take your engagement photos in Santa Barbara
When it comes to choosing a location for your engagement photos, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Do you want to pick a spot that has sentimental value to you and your love—maybe it’s where you got engaged, had your first date, or take your evening walks together there—or maybe you want to branch out a little and go on an adventure. You could explore the coastline of Big Sur, climb sandy rocks in Joshua Tree, or wander through the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Or maybe you want to take photos in the city or at the venue where you’re going to tie the knot! The world is essentially your engagement session oyster.
Don’t get me wrong—I love adventure engagement sessions! They take me to novel locations where I can create memories with new friends in sublime landscapes. It’s incredible. But there’s something intimately sweet and casual about a classic Santa Barbara engagement session. In a lot of ways, it’s the bread and butter of engagement sessions.
3 reasons why Santa Barbara is perfect for engagement photos
In my experience, a lot of my couples who are getting married in Santa Barbara like to have their engagement photos taken here. It gives them an excuse to visit the city they’re going to get married in, explore their wedding venue, do their hair and makeup trial, and have a mini weekend getaway if they’re coming from out of town. Luckily, Santa Barbara has so much to offer for engagement sessions!
1. It has a variety of locations
Whether you and your partner like the ocean or want to be in the mountains, Santa Barbara has it! You can plan to watch the sunset from the gorgeous bluffs along the coast line that span as far as the eye can see or you can travel into the mountains and look down on the town as the sun sets behind the hills. Of course, the locations themselves offer a variety of backdrops making it look like you traveled to multiple locations for your engagement photos! For example, Ellwood Bluffs has everything! The woods, fields, bluffs, and the ocean. You can go from wandering through the woodsy Eucalyptus patches to frolicking in golden fields, and then sit along the bluffs or run down to the beach and splash in the ocean. The photos in this blog were taken at Ellwood Bluffs. Just from this small gallery, you can see the amount of variety this one location has!
Beyond the outdoorsy photos, you also have the beautiful downtown Santa Barbara, State Street, and the industrial Funk Zone. These urban spots can make for equally as beautiful and unique engagement photos! Whether you want to take your photos at a local brewery or meander down the historic State Street, you can’t go wrong.
2. The weather
Santa Barbara is beautiful, and more often than not, always sunny! While we could absolutely use more rain (and I wouldn’t hate a little more variety in weather), worrying about if it’s going to rain or be cloudy during your engagement session won’t be a problem here! The temperature is also relatively comfortable, allowing you to wear whatever you want—whether you’d like to bundle up in cozy knits or wear flowy, linen pants, you’ll more than likely be comfortable in whatever you wear! If temperature is a concern, late summer tends to be the hottest and February/March are the coolest.
The only thing to note regarding weather is seasons. Depending on how much rain we get and how hot the summer is, can affect the landscape and how naturally green or dry it is. This can change how these locations appear.
3. The unparalleled sunsets
The sunsets in Santa Barbara are unparalleled. Whether your engagement session is along the coast or in the hills, the deep golden rays will be visible. Most of the sunsets are vibrant, beautiful oranges that turn the world golden. But on special occasions, we can have colorful, ombre skies that range from pink and purple to yellow and blue. From all the places I’ve traveled, and all the sunsets I’ve watched, nothing matches how beautiful the sunsets are here.
When, on the rare occasion, the weather is overcast, I always like to offer my couples a complimentary reschedule. I know how stunning the sunsets are here and I want to make sure you can have the golden photos you’ve been dreaming of.
Let’s plan your Santa Barbara engagement session!
Are you sold on Santa Barbara for your engagement photos? Let’s connect! I’ve got all the location recommendations and we’ll find a spot that’s just right for you and your love. Whether you want to frolic in fields or create an editorial shoot downtown, we can create a session that truly defines your relationship and vibe.
