Some couples like to choose a particular theme for their engagement shoot. This may involve dressing up as movie characters, getting decked out in sports gear, or embracing a fun historical time period. The engagement shoot theme may even coincide with the wedding day theme! It’s always fun to get styled up and play a role :) Here are examples of recent themed engagement shoots.
Themed Engagements
Nature Engagements
If you and your spouse-to-be love the great outdoors, there are a bunch of options in the San Diego area. Within a 20-ish minute drive, you’ll find lush forests, open fields, enchanting trails and even hilltops. Here is a highlight of some of our favorite locations.
Marian Bear Park
This is a hidden gem that runs all along the San Clemente 52 Freeway. There are winding pathways, open fields and lots of trees. With hills in the background, the sun sets a little earlier, so you’ll want to start your shoot 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset.
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Torrey Pines State Reserve
At Torrey Pines State Reserve, there are enough nature trails to fill your heart’s desire. All of them have amazing views of the golden coast, but be prepared to walk a little bit.
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Los Peñasquitos Canyon
Where the 5 meets the 94 lies a beautiful canyon, with trails and vegetation throughout. Also nearby lies the Synergy Inc. building, which has an interesting facade and unique architecture. It can provide a nice contrast to your photo shoot!
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Olivenhain Town Meeting Hall
This cool spot in Rancho Sant Fe feels like a scene out of Little Red Riding Hood. It has a charming wood framed structure, which is surrounded by lush forest and eucalyptus trees. It is a great spot for an engagement shoot!
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more nature engagement photo shoots
City Engagements
If you want your engagement shoot with an urban edge, downtown is the place to be. There are plenty of nice photo backdrops, including historic buildings, eclectic statues, and modern architecture. Also, the ocean is fairly close, so lots of variety can be accomplished within the same shoot. Here is a glimpse of some of our favorite spots.
Downtown San Diego
There are unlimited options in Downtown San Diego. Among the scenic backgrounds are the popular Gaslamp District, Santa Fe Train Station, and Convention Center. There are also great parks, iconic spots like Seaport Village, and amazing street views around every corner.
Old Town San Diego
The birthplace of San Diego, and the site of first Spanish settlement, Old Town is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. There are many rustic buildings that will make you feel like you are transported back in time. Also nearby is the vibrant Heritage Park, which has a variety of restored Victorian-style homes. This can add a nice mix to your photoshoot.
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Little Italy
Its Amore! We love little Italy, as it has a lot of colorful buildings, and great vibe for a romantic photoshoot. Just down the street is Waterfront Park, which has clear views of the San Diego skyline and bay.
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Encinitas
If you are devoted to North County, and are looking for an urban-style engagement session, plan your shoot in downtown Encinitas! This beach city is known for its surf breaks, which make for great photo locations. There are many charming establishments up and down Highway 101, with photo opportunities all along the beautiful coast.
Check out more Encinitas engagement photos