Perfect for dreamy oceanfront sessions with dramatic landscapes and golden sunsets.
Montaña de Oro offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the county. With rugged coastal cliffs, lush eucalyptus forests, sweeping ocean views, golden bluffs, and secluded coves, this location is perfect for couples wanting an adventurous, cinematic feel to their photos with a bit of everything scenic. Trails lead to hidden beaches, and the sunsets here are unreal. Parking is free but can get crowded on weekends.
The Oceano Dunes offer a stunning desert-like backdrop with rolling sand ridges and soft, golden hues. This location is perfect for barefoot sunset sessions, creating the feeling of a far-off adventure in a dramatic desert oasis. Parking is available near the entrance, with a short walk to the best dunes.
Avila Beach is a charming seaside town with a variety of photo spots, including the wooden pier, rolling hills in the background, and golden sand beaches. It’s a fantastic choice for couples wanting a relaxed, sun-kissed beach session with easy access to amenities like cafés and restaurants. It's also a lovely spot for a surprise proposal session! Metered parking is available near the beach, and sunset sessions here are especially dreamy and very 'Cali' lol.
Morro Bay State Beach provides a stunning oceanfront setting with Morro Rock as a dramatic, iconic backdrop (fun nerdy fact: Morro Rock was an inspiration for Star Wars). The gentle waves and sandy shoreline create a peaceful and intimate atmosphere, perfect for couples who love the ocean. Parking is easy and free in designated lots nearby.
Great for vintage-inspired, colorful, or architecturally interesting backdrops.
For couples who love an urban setting, Downtown SLO offers a mix of historic charm and modern energy. From rustic brick alleyways to the iconic Mission Plaza and charming storefronts, this location provides a variety of unique backdrops. It’s especially great for more editorial, fashion-forward sessions. Parking is available in garages or along the streets, but it can be busier on weekends.
The Madonna Inn is an iconic and colorful location, perfect for couples who want a playful and nostalgic feel to their photos. From the pink and gold interiors (every room has its own unique design!) to the charming outdoor spaces, every corner of this venue is a visual treat. Convenient parking is available on-site.
Nestled in the rolling hills between San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach, Chateau Noland is a dreamy European-style estate perfect for a fairytale engagement session or elegant portraits. With its charming stone architecture, ivy-covered walls, and lush gardens, this venue exudes old-world romance. The property features scenic vineyard views, grand oak trees, and beautifully manicured landscapes, offering a variety of picturesque backdrops. Parking is available on-site, making it an easy and convenient location for a relaxed, intimate shoot.
Beautiful natural settings with trees, trails, and rustic charm.
For those who love enchanted forest settings, Los Osos Oaks Reserve is a hidden gem. Towering, gnarled oak trees draped in moss create a whimsical, storybook-like atmosphere. The natural tunnels formed by twisting branches offer a beautiful and intimate setting for portraits. The reserve has a small dirt parking lot, and the shaded trails provide soft, even lighting.
Tucked away in Los Osos, Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is a quiet retreat featuring winding boardwalk trails, eucalyptus groves, and stunning views of Morro Bay. The golden light filtering through the trees at sunset creates a soft, ethereal feel. Parking is free and easy to find nearby.
For a truly magical and nature-filled experience, Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove is a unique location that offers stunning natural beauty—especially from late October through February, when thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate here. Towering eucalyptus trees create a serene forested atmosphere, with golden light filtering through the leaves for a soft, glowing effect in photos. The grove is just a short walk from the dunes and shoreline, making it an ideal spot to combine woodland and beach aesthetics in a single session. Free parking is available in the adjacent lot, and easy walking trails connect to nearby beach access for even more variety.
Ideal for sweeping views, golden light, and adventurous vibes.
For panoramic views of SLO’s rolling hills, Prefumo Canyon is unbeatable. The winding drive up the canyon leads to a breathtaking overlook where golden hour light creates a magical atmosphere. This spot is ideal for couples who love wide-open landscapes and dramatic, moody skies. Parking is roadside and limited, but the view is worth it!
Bishop Peak is perfect for adventurous couples who love a bit of a climb. The summit provides incredible panoramic views of the city and coastline. The hike is moderate to challenging, so it’s best suited for couples comfortable with a little trek before their shoot. Parking is available at the trailhead.
Madonna Mountain offers a more accessible alternative to Bishop Peak while still delivering beautiful hilltop views. It’s an especially great location in the spring when wildflowers bloom, adding a soft, romantic touch to photos. Sunset here is incredible, with the golden hills catching the last light of the day. Parking is available at the trailhead.
Terrace Hill is a hidden gem for couples who want an elevated view of SLO without a strenuous hike. The open hilltop space provides a minimalist yet cinematic backdrop, making it perfect for golden hour shoots. The parking lot is conveniently close, making this a great choice for those looking for a quick but stunning location.
Whether you’re envisioning windswept cliffs, cozy oak forests, or lively city streets, I’d love to help bring your vision to life. If any of these locations speak to you, let’s chat and create some magic together!
“He intimately captured our passion, friendship, admiration, laughter, & love for one another on a completely different level.”
BONNIE & TAJ
Interested? HIT ME UP! I’d love to hear from you.
I typically respond within 24-48 hours, though response times may vary depending on the season. Thanks so much for your patience—I appreciate it!
Haley & Brian`s stunning wedding at Wolf Lakes Park, CA is now live on the blog. Privileged to witness their love at such a stunning venue. Special shoutout to White Claw for basically sponsoring this wedding lol. Check out the full blog post (link in bio) for more unforgettable moments. 📸 #WeddingPhotography #FresnoPhotographer #WhiteClawWeddings
If you or anyone you know is looking for a wedding photographer specializing in soulful, cinematic wedding photos that don`t things *too* seriously, I`d love to connect. 😊
Shoot me a DM or inquire directly through my website (link in bio).
Much love! 🥰
capturing the joy and the beauty of two best friends embarking on a lifetime journey together is what makes my work so fulfilling. 🙏🏻
cheers to all the love, laughter, and happily ever afters, my friends. 🥂💕
p.s. share this with your boo. 😘
#marryingmybestfriend #californiaweddingphotographer #loveandlaughter #bridetobevibes #engagementphotoideas
Happy engagement season! 🥰
I love getting to connect with couples in this way before their wedding day. Having time to chat, get comfortable in front of the camera and enjoy stunning sunset views…it’s always such a joy getting to capture these moments over a fun adventure together. 😊
Here’s a couple of recent engagement sessions from this winter season so far! Much love everyone. 💕
A little late to the new year’s reflections bandwagon as always, but dude 2024 was absolutely bonkers. I don’t know how I got through it, but I’m proud of myself for once. It’s been a delicate balancing act of keeping my head down, hustling hard & enjoying the fruits of my labor whenever a new achievement unlocked. I’ve long been observant to the cycles of good karma & blessings that manifest when you commit to your healing, learn your lessons, practice good communication + boundaries, feel your feelings, transmute your pain into art & spread love every day. While more subtly noticed when I was younger, these positive ripples are fully realized for me now and I am so grateful to be finally living my best life lately. That’s not to say it’s been an easy year though. Probably the hardest year ever tbh. Duality is wild lol. I worked my booty off everyday, wearing so many hats, capturing 37 weddings (new record!), dozens of airbnbs and other shoots, while putting basically all my free time into a budding music career. I also healed from a brutal two-year flare-up of ulcerative colitis (shout-out @cedarssinai), got off of mind-dulling anxiety medication, got my ADHD under better control after finally getting diagnosed last year & somehow made it out alive in this all-time busy time. There’s no sign of things slowing down either, but I feel confident in my ability to face the challenges that will inevitably come this year. I believe life never throws anything that you can’t overcome until it’s your time to leave this earth. So keep learning your lessons, keep making your art, keep in touch with community, tell your people you love them, tell yourself how loved you are & never ever give up on the ride my friends. The best is yet to come I promise. Love you all. Thank you so much for supporting me all these years. Happy New Year. 😘💕🌈
There’s really nothing quite like the fairytale vibes of @chateaunoland ~ always so happy when I get to work out here. Even better when I have the honor of documenting a beautiful wedding for a sweet, gracious (and fun!) couple like A&J. So stoked on how these turned out, and can’t wait to get the final gallery wrapped up soon! Congrats again 😊💕✨
Grateful for so much lately - too much for me to put into an Instagram post tbh. 😅
But I will say how grateful I am to K&C for inviting me to capture their sweet elopement on 11/11 ✨
We were due for rain all day, but the universe had other plans and blessed us up with the most beautiful winter sunset. Ahhh, moments like these…magic. 😌
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season filled with beauty and quality time with loved ones. Much love. 💗
Nassim and Ben’s wedding at Ragged Point Inn was pure magic. With the breathtaking Big Sur cliffs and ocean as their backdrop, their day was filled with love, laughter, and beautiful cultural traditions. From the elegant sofreh aghd to the joyous dancing to the gorgeously sunny weather, every moment was wrapped in beauty and the kind of love that rekindles the soul. Here’s to a lifetime as vibrant as the coast that witnessed their vows. 🌊✨🥂 #BigSurWedding #RaggedPointInn #SofrehAghd #PersianWedding #CaliforniaWeddingPhotographer #WeddingTeaser #SLOtography
Shoutout to this wonderful vendor fam as well (def missing some peeps here) - couldn’t do any of this without you! ❤️
@slotography (me + @videobyrobin)
@storiestoldbyfilm
@realcrushevents
@raggedpointinn
Tangled up in you… 🌿💕✨
Sweet & mellow newlywed couples session with Ashley & Dylan after they tied the knot in OC the day before! They wanted green colors in their pics and, well, ain’t much green in the wild this time of year so we roamed around the Leaning Pine Arboretum at @calpoly instead. 😍
We connected instantly over our love of raves & dance music and had a lovely little walk thru these beautiful gardens. Gorgeous greenery & good vibes all around. I feel so blessed to have such a fun career where I get to meet such sweet & inspiring people. Congrats again, Ashley & Dylan! 🥰
Sarah & Niels def passed the #slocal vibe check - y’all are a fabulous couple! Thanks for having me! 😎🙌🏻
Such a fun time strolling thru @downtownslo (shout out @fremontslo + @buonatavolaslo + @booboorecords) as we captured couples portraits, before they later commemorated their love with a sweet lil elopement at the SLO Courthouse. We ultimately made our way to @novorestaurant for a lovely dinner party with the fam. I don’t shoot downtown often enough so it was inspiring finding new creative scenes to play with!
Thanks again you two cuties! 💕
