One of the best parts of my job, is being able to work with people who honestly, feel like family. This session was the perfect example of that. It felt like catching up with old friends, laughing too loud, wandering with no plan, and letting the light find you instead of chasing it. That was Claire and Abigail’s session. Casual. Honest. Joyful. A little messy. Although Claire and Abigail aren’t engaged, it was fun to take photos for the sake of it and celebrate their relationship where they’re at! Their photos were such a good time, and honestly make for great inspiration for engagement photos!

If you’re dreaming of a Palisades Park engagement session or considering a Santa Monica engagement that doesn’t feel stiff or overly styled, let this be your reminder: your everyday is already beautiful. As a travel wedding photographer, these are the stories I love the most, the in-between moments that show you exactly as you are.

Close-up of two hands exchanging a Monopoly Deal card with tall palm trees blurred in the sky above—playful and detail-rich.

One partner kisses the other’s cheek mid-laugh, wrapped in cozy sweaters and soft afternoon light during their Palisades Park engagement.

Sunset kiss by the bluffside rail, palm trees and beach views creating a cinematic backdrop—intimate and unposed.

Sweet kiss on a green bench framed by a wooden trellis wall and tropical plants during their Palisades Park engagement session.

Tight, cozy hug on a sunlit coastal trail, surrounded by lush greenery—candid love and golden light.

Couple embracing and laughing under a sky full of palm trees during their Palisades Park engagement, joy radiating between them.

From Friendship to Forever Photos During a Palisades Park Engagement

Claire has been a friend of mine for yearsss. When I flew out to California to shoot a wedding in Santa Barbara, I extended my stay just to soak in the West Coast a little longer. My first stop had to be crashing at Claire’s place, catching up on life, and finally getting to meet her girlfriend, Abigail. I had heard so much about their quiet routines, their love for Monopoly Deal, and their weekend walks through Palisades Park that I suggested we turn one of those ordinary days into something a little more permanent. A photo session that felt like them, just as they are.

Joyful, close-up moment of the couple laughing and wrapped in each other's arms during their Palisades Park engagement session.

Why a Palisades Park Engagement Was the Perfect Backdrop

Lighthearted and sunny moment as the couple leans over a coastal fence, laughing with golden-hour glow all around them—Palisades Park engagement vibes.

Distant silhouette of the couple holding hands by a bench, framed by a massive palm tree and glowing afternoon sky.

Warm hug along a palm-lined path, with one partner leaning into the other’s chest and eyes gently closed—Palisades Park engagement session.

The couple tucked together in a tree, holding each other steady during their Palisades Park engagement—intimate and earthy.

Overhead detail of a hand arranging cards on a striped picnic blanket—slow, cozy moments from a laid-back couple session.

Candid moment of a couple sitting on a bench wrapped in each other’s arms during their Palisades Park engagement, framed by green latticework, bird of paradise plants, and soft afternoon light.

We wandered through Palisades Park with the Santa Monica pier glowing in the distance, climbing fences and trees, laughing in the way that only comes when you’re hanging out with old friends. The way Abigail looked at Claire made me tear up more than once. There was no shot list, no pressure, no posing, just a quiet rhythm between them, playful, grounded, and deeply loving.

As a travel wedding photographer, I’m always drawn to locations that feel lived-in, not just pretty. Palisades Park delivered that and more.

Sunset moment at the bluff’s edge, as the couple embraces with a soft, knowing look—shot during their Palisades Park engagement.

You’ll love Palisades Park for your engagement session if:

You want ocean views without the sand-in-your-shoes commitment
You love natural light and golden hour that hits just right
You vibe with open space but still want cozy pockets of privacy
You want something scenic but low-key, no permits, no stress
You’re in a walkable spot with views of the Santa Monica pier and palm-lined paths that just feel like California

Playful and tender image of one partner climbing a trellis wall while the other offers a hand—quiet teamwork and trust.

Cropped view of the couple balancing on a thick tree limb, walking side by side with carefree energy.

The Beauty of a Low-Key Palisades Park Engagement Session

This is why I love casual couples sessions in LA! There’s so much pressure to make everything Pinterest-perfect. But the truth? The best photos come when you just show up as you are. When you lean into your rituals, your inside jokes, your natural pace. When your favorite tree becomes the backdrop, and your real-life love story gets the spotlight. Whether I'm in California or halfway across the world, my approach as a travel wedding photographer is always the same: honest, intentional storytelling rooted in connection.

Candid hug between two women along a scenic coastal trail during their Palisades Park engagement, with agave plants and ocean views behind them.

Lying side by side on a woven blanket, playing cards under the shade of an old tree—slow, sweet moments from their Palisades Park engagement.

Tucked together in a tree, wrapped in an embrace during their Palisades Park engagement—playful, romantic, and rooted in nature.

The couple smiling and stacked on a bench, one partner perched on the other's shoulders in a carefree, sunlit moment.

Close-up of two hands trading a card with tall palm trees in the background—playful and artsy detail from a laid-back couple session.

Laughing side-by-side on a tree branch, arms wrapped around each other in that sweet middle-of-the-laugh kind of way.

Tips for Your Own Casual Palisades Park Engagement Session

Palisades Park already brings the views and the vibe, but there are a few ways to make the most of your time there. These tips are all about helping you feel grounded, connected, and fully present for the experience.:

Start with something familiar. If there's a park or path you already love, start there. Comfort and familiarity create a natural connection.
Dress how you feel best. Not every engagement session needs heels and formal wear. Claire and Abigail rocked relaxed fits that felt true to them.
Don’t force a shot list. Let the environment and your energy guide the session. That’s when the connection shows up.
Add a personal ending. We wrapped their session with cocktails at Barcari, one of their favorite West Hollywood bars. Ending a shoot with a drink, a meal, or a walk through your neighborhood? Always a yes.

Wide shot of the couple playing cards on a picnic blanket beneath the trees—quiet, cozy love in a public park setting.

When to Shoot: Best Time of Day for a Palisades Park Engagement

Palisades Park is dreamy year-round, but timing can make or break the vibe. You know I’m all about chasing that glowy, soul-soaked light, and this place delivers if you time it right. Whether you want that soft, barely-awake calm of a quiet morning or the warm, cinematic glow of sunset, it's all about tuning into what feels most like you. Here’s the rundown:

Intimate moment on a bluff as one partner gently tucks the other's hair behind her ear, beach stretching out behind them during their Palisades Park engagement.

Playful moment between the couple laughing under a sky full of palm trees—capturing the joy of just being together.

Golden hour (just before sunset) is the star of the show, with warm light, long shadows, and everything glows. Perfect for that cinematic look.
Early mornings are underrated, soft light, fewer people, and a peaceful vibe that’s great if you want a more intimate, undistracted feel.
Midday is harsher and busier. Not ideal unless you’re going for bold sun and don’t mind some hustle around you.

Two women sitting on a blanket during their Palisades Park engagement, laughing and playing a card game as the sun sets behind them.

If you want soft, glowy, natural light with minimal foot traffic, aim for sunrise or sunset.

Make It a Date: What to Do Around Your Session

Whimsical shot of the couple climbing a large tree in the middle of a grassy park—playful energy from their Palisades Park engagement session.

Black-and-white photo of the couple mid-laugh while sitting on a tree limb, capturing pure, unfiltered joy.

Wide shot of the couple standing on a low tree branch, wrapped in an embrace under sprawling limbs in the park.

Cozy and joyful moment in a tree, with the couple wrapped up in laughter during their Palisades Park engagement shoot.

Candid close-up of the couple holding hands as they walk, the texture of their sweaters and jeans catching the light.

Playful piggyback ride next to a fence surrounded by trees, both partners smiling and soaked in soft evening light.

One of the best parts of planning a Palisades Park engagement session? It’s so easy to turn it into a whole day date. Grab brunch or happy hour at one of the many spots nearby in Santa Monica. You can stroll down to the pier or beach for a spontaneous, barefoot walk, or bring a picnic blanket to the bluff and people-watch as the sun dips low. If you're feeling like a nightcap, head to a cozy neighborhood bar like Barcari, just like Claire and Abigail did to end their session on the perfect note.

Sessions don’t have to be rushed or overly formal. Let them breathe and feel like you.

How to Prepare for a Casual Palisades Park Engagement

Golden hour kiss with arms wrapped tight, captured during a warm, candid Palisades Park engagement session overlooking the beach.

Let’s be real for a sec: even "casual" can feel nerve-wracking if you're not used to being in front of a camera. Here's what helps:

You don’t need to perform. Nobody knows what to do with their hands at first! You're not here to act like a model, you’re here to be with your person.
Don’t worry about doing it right. If you’re laughing, talking, or just holding hands while watching the sunset, you’re doing it right.
Trust the vibe. You picked this place, this person, this moment. That’s enough.

As a travel wedding photographer, I’m not here to stage your love. I’m here to witness it, exactly as it is.

Book Me As Your Travel Wedding Photographer

A couple sharing a soft kiss along the coastal walkway during their Palisades Park engagement, with beach views and palm trees in the background.

Close-up of an intimate moment on a bench, with one partner resting her head gently against the other's as they sit close together.

Whether you’re planning a Palisades Park engagement or just want Santa Monica engagement photos that feel rooted in your story, remember: it doesn’t have to be a whole production. It can be a walk. A laugh or a game of cards in the grass. That’s the good stuff, the everyday moments that build a lifetime of memories together.

And if you’re looking for a travel wedding photographer who gets that? I’m your girl. Let’s document your life as it is, not curated, just deeply felt. Inquire today, and let’s plan your adventure together.

Looking for more inspiration for your upcoming photos? Check out a few of my favorites below.

A Guide to Central Park Engagement Photos That Feel Like a Love Letter to NYC

How to Create Space for Real Connection During Your Engagement Photoshoot From a Travel Wedding Photographer

How to Plan a Blue Hour Photography Session for Your Destination Engagement Photos