Top 15 Unique Engagement Photography Locations in Northern California

Slavik Yasinsky - Northern California wedding photographer

One of the keys to having amazing engagement photos is the location itself. If you're talking about just a few photos you can make any location work, but the location plays a key role if you want a successful 1-2 hour engagement shoot. Although there are plenty of locations for photos locally, I always recommend my couples to get creative with the locations, no matter how far!

MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK - MILL VALLEY, CA

Why are Locations so Important?

The location creates the background for all of your photos. The background usually takes up about 60 to 90 percent of the photo, so you want it to look good! Here are some things you can think about, when deciding on a location:

What are your personalities?

Do you love the outdoors? Are you city people? Do you both love to read? Think about your personalities, and possibly use that as a location for the engagement photos.

What kind of style or colors is the wedding?

Is it more of a vintage look? Modern? Classic? Maybe your engagement photos can match the style or colors of your wedding.

Are there any locations that are meaningful to the two of you?

Where did you meet? Your first date? Does the place you grew up have a significant meaning to you? I've had some engagement shoots, and even weddings at the university where the couple met.

Or you can always just choose a spot that you both think is beautiful! There's nothing wrong with that.

Locations

Here's a list of some of my favorite locations for engagement and second-day photoshoots all over Northern California! There are more locations I can recommend, depending on the location, so feel free to respond to this email and ask. Or if you want to see more photos in a particular location, I can share more :)

Locations aren't in any specific order.

SACRAMENTO

State Capitol Park

The Capitol Park has a ton of shade, so it's perfect for any time of day! It's my go-to spot for whenever the sun is very bright--in the middle of the day. There are also lots of different spots to create different looks.
It includes:

- Cactus Garden
- Rose Garden (not much shade here)
- Lots of Trees (different kind, and can be colorful in the spring!)
- State Capitol Building
- Other Surrounding Buildings (like the Westminster Presbyterian Church)

Historic Folsom

Historic Folsom has a little of everything. It has the vintage look with all the old buildings, but it's also right next to the river so you can get nature photos as well.

- Historic Buildings
- Cobblestone Streets
- Folsom Historic Russ Bridge (wooden bridge with river access)
- Lake Natoma Waterfront & Trail Access (has a cool tree tunnel and waterfront)
- Parking Garage with beautiful view (sunset)

Old Sacramento

Also similar style to Historic Folsom, with vintage buildings and alleys everywhere. The Sacramento River also flows right next to Old Sac.

STATE CAPITOL PARK - CACTUS GARDEN - SACRAMENTO, CA

BAY AREA

Mount Tamalpais

Mountain near San Francisco with ocean views. During the winter and spring, everything is green, and during the Summer and Fall, the grass is all yellow--both are beatiful! A lot of times, you can catch the clouds rolling in below the mountaintops.

Rodeo Beach

Beautiful beach with dark sand. This beach isn't as popular for photos, but it's one of my favorites! It usually gets foggy here, and the sand is darker so it creates a darker, moody look. There's also a cliff overseeing the ocean, and a pathway with lots of trees. There's an upper area too, with grassy/cliff area.

Muir Woods

This is the best place if you want a forest look--giant trees everywhere! The downsides are that there are walkways everywhere and there's an entrance fee of about $10/person (might be $15).

Point Reyes

Point Reyes has some of the most magical/whimsical spots on the northern coast. From the cypress tree tunnel, to the mile-long shoreline, to the shipwreck, and the beaches, you can almost pull over anywhere to capture some amazing engagement photos. Here are some of my favorite spots in Point Reyes:

- Cypress Tree Tunnel
- South Beach Overlook (this is the mile-long shoreline)
- Drake's Beach
(photos below)

San Fransisco City Hall

This is open to the public only on. weekdays, but it's the perfect indoor option, especially if it's raining! It has a large staircase, and large, windows on the second and third levels.

Stanford University

Not many people know about this one, but Stanford is humongous! You won't have a problem finding a background for photos here. Lots of outdoor hallways fill the campus pillars lined up on the side. If you're looking for buildings mixed with greenery, Stanford is the perfect spot. All the buildings are made of brick, and there's plenty of greenery scattered all over the campus.

LAKE TAHOE

Sand Harbour

Large boulders along the northern side of the Lake Tahoe shore. Also has a sandy beach and a great place to catch the sunset, as it sets on the opposite side of the lake!

Emerald Bay

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful part of Lake Tahoe! Though it's typically very crowded, the views are amazing. You can see the entire lake, as well as the bay from some parts of emerald bay.

Fallen Leaf Lake

This place is sort-of hidden--I just discovered it recently, but it's a gem! Fallen Leaf Lake is a smaller lake right next to Emerald Bay, and less crowded, so it's definitely a spot I'd recommend.. during any season! In the winter, most it is closed off due to the snow, but there are still spots to shoot photos.

OTHER

Apple Hill

Apple Hill is open only during the fall season, from mid-August until the end of December. It's usually very busy during the peak of the season, so it's best to go during the weekdays. If you're looking for more of a fall look Apple Hill is perfect, as it's filled with different farms and colorful orchards.

Calaveras Big Trees

Some of the biggest trees you'll see! If you just love forest and trees, this is the place! It's located just about an hour or 1.5 hours south of Sacramento, but it's worth the drive. There's also a meadow in with a paved walkway/bridge down the middle.

Napa Valley

Napa Valley is known for all the vineyards that fill the area. It's a bit tricky with photos because there are restrictions and private vineyards that don't allow trespassing and photography. But feel free to contact me and ask about where you can still get gorgeous engagement photos in Napa.

Thanks for reading and best of luck with all the wedding planning! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about wedding photography, or if you’re interested in booking us for your wedding!

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