Ali and Brian spent their engagement session moving between two very different worlds: the dry golden hills of Malibu Creek State Park and the Pacific coast a few miles west. It’s one of my favourite combinations for a summer session. The afternoon light sits low over the grass, the hills go copper, and then you finish on the beach as the sun drops. As an LA wedding photographer, I’ve done this loop a handful of times, and it never gets old.
A Dreamy Malibu Creek State Park Engagement Session
If you’re leaning toward a city celebration instead, see Arielle and Katie’s Ebell of Los Angeles wedding for a classic downtown setting. Malibu Creek State Park is only about 25 miles from downtown LA, but it feels genuinely remote once you’re past the trailhead. Rocky outcroppings rise above open meadows, the creek cuts through old-growth sycamores, and the hills roll out brown and gold in every direction. Ali and Brian walked the lower meadow path while I worked around them, and the late-afternoon light did exactly what I was hoping for. They were relaxed. They kept laughing at their own private jokes. That’s the recipe for good photographs.
When couples ask me where to shoot, I always say: pick somewhere you’d actually want to spend an afternoon. Ali and Brian are outdoorsy people, so Malibu Creek made sense before we even talked locations. The park has enough variety to keep things interesting: open meadow, rock formations, shaded creek banks. We moved between all of them. I mostly stayed out of the way and let them be themselves, which is always the best plan when you’ve got a couple who are genuinely comfortable together.
Celebrating Love by the Malibu Coast
After the park we drove out to the Malibu coast. The shift from brown hills to blue water is pretty dramatic, and the session energy changes with it. Ali and Brian brought a bottle of champagne to pop on the beach, which I’d quietly encouraged. There’s something about the cork, the fizz, and the toast that gives you five minutes of completely natural celebration to photograph. They were grinning at each other the whole time. I got a lot of good frames in those five minutes.
The session ended with them wading into the ocean, which was not really planned. Brian dared Ali, she went in, and then he followed. My favourite images from the whole day came out of those ten minutes. Candid shots like that are hard to manufacture, so when they happen you just keep shooting and try not to get your shoes wet. The photos read as pure joy, and they’re a much more honest portrait of this couple than any posed shot I could have set up.
Why Choose Lisa Leanne Photography for Your Engagement and Wedding
I’m a wedding photographer based in Ventura County, and most of my work happens outdoors across Southern California. Every couple I work with gets a different session plan, because every couple is different. Some people want soft light in a garden. Some people want cliffs and ocean wind. Ali and Brian wanted both in the same afternoon, which is honestly my kind of brief. If you’re a bit camera-shy, don’t worry. Most people are at first. By the end of a session like this one, that usually isn’t a problem anymore.
I work with couples from the first phone call right through to delivering the final gallery. The process is easy and I’ll guide you through every step. If you’re thinking about booking an engagement session in Malibu or anywhere else in Southern California, take a look at my wedding photography services or just get in touch and we can start talking.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year for engagement photos in Malibu?
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons at Malibu Creek. The hills are green in spring and the light is softer, especially an hour before sunset. Summer is hotter but the golden-hour light is hard to beat, and the coast stays warm well into the evening. Ali and Brian’s session was a late-June afternoon, and the conditions were perfect. Winter works too, as long as you’re flexible around rain.
How should we prepare for our Malibu Creek State Park engagement session?
Outfits that work well at Malibu Creek tend to be soft neutrals or earthy tones, nothing that clashes with dry grass and blue sky. Bring a layer for the coast since the temperature drops once you’re near the water. A prop or two can be fun if it means something to you, like Ali and Brian’s champagne, but don’t overthink it. Comfortable shoes matter more than most people expect when you’re walking trails.
Can we combine our engagement session with a wedding photography package?
Yes, and I’d encourage it. Shooting your engagement session together means you’ll already know how I work on your wedding day, which makes a real difference. I offer packages that bundle both. Drop me a message through the contact page and we can go over what fits your plans.
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