the blog

This engagement session was so dramatic! Steven and Jasmine flew all the way in from Texas to capture really stunning Point Dume engagement photos. This location is excellent for people who want that classic Malibu beach look without tons of walking.

Prior to our session, I chatted with my couple about what they wanted to wear. Jasmine really wanted epic, dramatic photos, so she selected dresses with lots of flowy fabric to catch the wind. The day of the session, we were so excited that there was the perfect amount of breeze to make some epic photos!

Point Dume State Beach

I love Point Dume this time of year because the area was filled with blooming wildflowers! We were able to capture stunning photos by the water as well as photos that looked like they were taken in a meadow. And just steps away!

After a quick wardrobe change, we decided to get some really dramatic photos. It’s amazing how much an outfit change can set a totally different tone for the photos! Jasmine’s first dress was fun, light, and floral. It was perfect for fun, lighthearted photos by the water. Her second dress was perfect for the more dramatic look she wanted. We played with the fabric of the dress in the wind for the maximum effect! You tell us–did we do it?

At some point, the tide rolled in unexpectedly and we all got soaked. Jasmine and Steven started laughing and it made for some really beautiful candid photos. I love a couple that is not afraid to interact with their environment to get the shot! After all, what fun is a beach shoot without a little sand and surf?

Are you interested in capturing Point Dume engagement photos together? Shoot me a message! You can fill out my contact form or email me directly at DariaTaylorPhotography@gmail.com and we’ll chat about your upcoming session!

This romantic Santa Monica proposal was so special! Aaron, the soon-to-be-groom, contacted me to photograph his proposal to his girlfriend, Anna. He wanted to propose to her at Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica. After that, they headed to a romantic dinner at the Penthouse restaurant at The Huntley Hotel. Aaron had planned a luxurious and intimate dinner. He even had floral arrangements sent to the Penthouse restaurant ahead of time.

The proposal

It was an overcast day, so Anna and Aaron had the beach to themselves when they arrived. The light was soft and the waves were gently crashing against the shore. It created an intimate backdrop to one of the most important moments in their relationship. Aaron proposed to Anna and she was overwhelmed with joy! It was such a special moment to witness and get to capture!

As I photographed them and got to witness their interactions, it became so clear to me why they fit together so perfectly. Anna and Aaron are kind; they speak to each other with respect, and they have each other’s backs. It is a deep relationship, and was beautiful to see how comfortable they were in each other’s presence. I had the opportunity to get really authentic images with them by encouraging them to interact with each other and to take in the special moment. What a beautiful couple!

The celebration dinner

Afterwards, we headed to the Penthouse restaurant at the luxurious Huntley hotel in Santa Monica. We took some photos in the glass elevator leading up to the restaurant to get a aerial view of the city. Later, we captured really airy and romantic photos in the canopied booth. Lastly, the restaurant brought out champagne for a toast, and Anna and Aaron were glowing with joy. It was a beautiful evening to photograph and a perfect, romantic Santa Monica proposal!

Looking for a proposal photographer?

Are you interested in planning your upcoming proposal session? Let’s connect! Send me a message at DariaTaylorPhotography@gmail.com and we will make sure your photoshoot is everything you’ve ever dreamed of!

What is better than capturing a gorgeous couple in a gorgeous location? Nothing! Leading up to our shoot, I chatted with my couple about what they were hoping to capture. They mentioned wantign colorful engagement session photos, and I knew exactly where I wanted to take them! We headed to the Los Angeles County Arboretum , which I LOVE for all of the variety it offers! The gorgeous landscape changes depending on the time of year it is, but it’s always absolutely stunning. Such are the perks of living in Los Angeles, am I right?

My couple also wanted to feature their traditional formal Indian outfits for the session. The bride is Indian and the groom is Mexican, so their upcoming wedding is a beautiful combination of cultures. I couldn’t be more excited for it! The soon-to-be bride had really beautiful gold outfit with beaded overlay details, so I loved that the hues in the blossoming tree and speckles of light complimented her outfit. Our session took place just before sunset, so the light filtered softly through the trees. Scroll to the last photo to see how the background just lit up behind them to capture their colorful engagement session photos !

I love capturing my couples’ engagement sessions before the wedding. It always gives me a good opportunity to connect with them more and to really get to know what their unique love looks like! I love how natural this couple related to each other, and how easily they made each other laugh. Though their personalities are different, they’re perfect for each other. Opposites really do attract!

Are you in the process of searching for a wedding photographer? Let’s chat. Shoot me a message at DariaTaylorPhotography@gmail.com and we can set up an engagement shoot to get to know each other and move forward from there! I’m excited to connect with you and capture your unique love story!

When I asked my couple where they wanted their engagement session and they answered “castle,” I knew this would be special! I captured these spectacular engagement photos at Kimberly Crest House and Gardens in Redlands. The venue is as magical and grand as you’d hope. It features an epic backdrop for spectacular engagement photos. We had so much fun exploring the grounds and creating beautiful images together!

The castle set a unique and regal tone for the session. We wandered through orange orchards to the castle overlooking the lily pond. The landscaping is stunning and ornate. There were flowers of every color. I particularly loved the pampas grass accent on the lawn. From there, we captured photos in front of the deciduous trees on the property. It was autumn and the trees were beginning to turn a vibrant shade of yellow! It was a lovely sunny day and so quiet and romantic.

After that, we walked the grounds. I laid out a blanket under the pine trees. We had the castle all to ourselves and it was such a romantic location. It was very quiet and peaceful. What a lovely escape from the city!

I love when my couples have grand ideas that I can execute. It’s so fun being able to try something new and different and to customize a couple’s session to their tastes. This enchanting setting gave us such a unique opportunity to capture spectacular engagement photos! I can’t wait to capture even more magical moments at their wedding!

Are you getting married and looking to capture some romantic engagement photos? Whether you’re interested in the beach, the mountains, or a castle, let me customize your session to your unique relationship! Let’s get in touch. Send me a message at DariaTaylorPhotography@gmail.com and we will begin planning your romantic session!

This sweet and simple engagement shoot was so intimate and romantic! This couple was in town for just two days to get eloped at the Turkish Embassy in Los Angeles before flying back to Turkey to officially wed in front of their friends and family. They had always dreamed of traveling to Los Angeles, and took advantage of their wedding vacation time to visit!

After their elopement ceremony, they wanted to take their engagement photos at the beach in Malibu. We planned to meet at one of my favorite locations: Leo Carrillo State Beach. I love Leo Carrillo for the variety of scenery and privacy. It’s one of my favorite beaches for photos.

We experienced a rare summer rain in LA on the day of the elopement. It was lightly misting at the beach in Malibu. Although it was gorgeous and romantic, it wasn’t what they had originally had in mind! They were only in town for 2 days, so there was no rescheduling. We chatted and they decided to brave through it, but let me know that they didn’t want to get wet. Not a problem! I found a dry spot and we had an amazing session together.

The session was ultra-romantic because no one else was at the beach that day. We had the entire misty beach to ourselves! The sound of the waves crashing was clear and calming. I invited them to take the opportunity to reflect on their relationship. They had been together for years, and it was so special to be able to finally become official!

Are you interested in capturing a sweet and simple engagement shoot in Los Angeles? Let’s connect. Shoot me an email at DariaTaylorPhotography@gmail.com and we’ll get started on planning your upcoming session together!

This El Matador Beach Photoshoot could not have been any more romantic. Hudson took his wife, Sara to Malibu to celebrate their baby-moon, and wanted to surprise her with a photoshoot commemorating the vacation. I thought the idea was so sweet and thoughtful. Hudson and I chatted in secret leading up to the shoot to decide on a location that Sara would love. They were flying in from out of town and had never been to California before. He mentioned that she really loved the beach, so I recommended having our photoshoot at El Matador Beach in Malibu. I sent him some sample images and he knew she would love it.

The day of the shoot, Hudson and Sara arrived at the beach. I watched them pull up and Sara ran out of the car. She was so excited to see the ocean at one of Malibu’s most spectacular and impressive beaches! Hudson let her know that they were actually there for a photoshoot, and then he introduced her to me. I was standing nearby with my camera gear and Sara was so excited! She couldn’t believe the surprise. I love working with people to plan surprise photoshoots for their loved ones. Photoshoots make for a unique and thoughtful gift. Not only are you creating a fun experience, but you’re capturing it so to remember forever!

El Matador is always pretty busy during sunset, but I found beautiful areas to pose them so they wouldn’t have other people in the background of their photos. I encouraged them to soak in the beauty of the location and to have fun with it! I posed them overlooking the beach, kissing on rocky outcroppings above the water, and running through the ocean. They were game for all of it! I love when my couples are down to have a fun, playful shoot. The images came out playful and romantic, and will be a great way for Hudson and Sara to remember their first trip to Malibu!

Are you looking to gift a photoshoot to someone you love? Or are you traveling to Los Angeles for a vacation you’d like to remember? I’d love to chat! Feel free to reach out to me at DariaTaylorPhotography@gmail.com and we can plan your next playful beach shoot.