Half Moon Bay is THE spot for your engagement photos, especially if you’re dreaming of that iconic coastal engagement session feel. There are so many different backdrops there with so many different vibes (and we’ll get into each of them), which creates suuuch a beautiful spot that I’ll never get over! Check out Deema and Bilal’s beach engagement photos, taken by yours truly, a film-inspired Northern California engagement photographer.

What You Need to Know When Planning Your Beach Engagement Photos

I’m not gonna lie, there’s a lot to consider when you’re planning your beach engagement photoshoot! It takes some coordinating and some careful thought to achieve the perfect session. But that’s why I’m here to give you all my best tips, as a Northern California engagement photographer (who considers herself a pro in beach engagement photos at this point 😂). 

Where to Take Beach Engagement Photos in California

In California, your location opportunities are basically endless. I seriously cannot say enough good things about Half Moon Bay, where Deema and Bilal’s session was held. There are cliffside views, oceanfront views, and even flower fields here, so you’ll definitely find something that fits your vibe. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and every area gives you that classic California coast feel. If you still want a few more options to check out, I also love Mount Tamalpais and Point Reyes!

What to Wear for Your Beach Engagement Photoshoot

Let me just say, I’ll never be over Deema’s engagement photoshoot dress (and I’m linking it here because, hello?!). It flowed perfectly in the wind on the beach, and was complemented SO beautifully by Bilal’s patterned blue shirt. 

These two did it right. They followed a coastal color palette, and Deema opted for a flowy dress, which is basically the best thing you can wear for beach engagement photos. However, if a casual session is more your vibe (love that for you), you can always swap it out for a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt or do an outfit change mid-session! 

The most important part? Make sure you’re comfortable. You’ll be moving around a lot on the beach, so it’s good to choose something that makes it easy to do so. Plus, we definitely want you to be fully happy and present, and if you’re anything like me, I am NOT happy when I’m wearing uncomfortable clothes. 😂

My final pro tip is to consider the wind if you have long hair. The wind gets crazy out here, and hair blowing around can make getting beach photos really hard sometimes. But don’t worry, as a California photographer, I’m a PRO at getting good pictures with the wind. If you really embrace it, windy days can make for some incredible shots.

If you want to wear your hair down, I suggest lots of hairspray, and maybe even bringing a backup plan along (like this stunning claw clip), just in case the wind is super rough that day! 

What Time of Day to Take Your Beach Engagement Photos 

I think it goes without saying you can’t beat sunsets or sunrises on the beach. The beautiful colors in the sky just make photos pop, but what you do have to consider is the crowds. Beaches definitely get more crowded at these peak times, so you want to plan accordingly for your own session! 

We took Deema and Bilal’s Half Moon Bay engagement photos in the morning to beat the rush since their session was on a weekend, and the lighting turned out to be absolutely perfect. It was an overcast day (a photographer’s dream), so we got to utilize every single spot that we wanted, and the photos turned out gorgeous! 

As a Northern California engagement photographer, I always luck out when scheduling engagement photos in the early-ish morning. It’s going to be less busy pretty much anywhere you go, and the lighting always turns out beautiful. 

What to Bring to Your Beach Engagement Photoshoot

What to bring to your beach engagement session depends on the style you want to achieve in your photos, but here are a few ideas! 

• Water, always
• An outfit change, if you want! 
• Props like flowers, an umbrella or parasol, etc. 
• A chair or towel, if you may want or need to sit down

Other Things to Consider When Planning Your Session

Lastly, as your go-to girl, I have to remind you to check for a few things before your engagement photoshoot! Make sure to check on parking, permits, and opening and closing times. You definitely don’t want to get to your beach engagement photoshoot and realize you don’t have time and/or that you aren’t allowed to get photos there! 

For a Half Moon Bay engagement photoshoot, there’s free 12-hour parking near entrances, you don’t need a permit for photos, and the beach is open from 8:00 am through sunset, which makes it so easy to plan! 

Unique Beach Engagement Photoshoot Ideas

The most important part of your session is to make it feel like you. There are things you can incorporate to make your engagement photos feel true to who you are as a couple, and these are a few of my absolute faves: 

• Don’t be afraid to get wet! Getting in the water is SUCH a fun way to add a touch of playfulness into your pictures, and trust me, it makes for the cutest candids. 
• Make it a picnic date! Bring a blanket, a picnic basket, and some favorite snacks to make your engagement session a full-on beach date. It always turns out to be so precious. 
• Consider bringing your pup (as long as the beach allows it). Bringing your furry friend makes for some adorable family photos to include in your gallery!

Deema and Bilal’s Half Moon Bay Engagement Photos

These two were a dream. They’re such a fun couple AND they’re already comfortable in front of a camera, so their engagement session flowed so naturally, and it shows! They trusted my vision and allowed me to guide them, and let me just say, the photos? So adorable, they had me giggling behind the camera the whole time! 

Their beach engagement photoshoot was so perfect for them, because it let them really show off their personalities with a lot of movement in several different backdrops (thank you, Half Moon Bay!). 

Grace Thao | Northern California Engagement Photographer

Getting to capture these filled-with-love moments is exactly why I do what I do. Nothing is more special to me than being able to capture your memories and give you photos that are filled with nostalgia and romance that you’ll cherish forever. 

If a beach engagement photoshoot isn’t for you and you want to see more engagement photoshoot ideas, check out this Golden Gate Bridge session and this Filoli Home session! To inquire about booking me as your Northern California engagement photographer (beach engagement photos or no beach engagement photos), you can inquire here, and I’ll get back to you soon!