Garland Ranch - Carmel Valley, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Location Spotlight

In the heart of Carmel Valley, CA, lies Garland Ranch Regional Park, an absolute gem of a location for your photo session needs. Here are a few reasons why Garland Ranch should be your top choice for a photo session.

Garland Ranch Regional Park is open from dawn to dusk, and is a friendly place for all ages. The walking paths and bridges are all well-maintained by the staff, and there is a visitor center where you can grab a trail map.

One of the best parts of Garland Ranch is that it’s pet friendly. Your furry friend deserves to be a part of the fun! After all, Fluffy is a member of the family. It would be a crime not to include him! Dogs are allowed off leash if they are under immediate voice and visual control, and most people who come here are very dog-friendly as long as we pick up after him.

One of the most important things I look for when choosing a photo session location is the versatility. Are there enough backdrops to make it look like we didn’t stay in one spot? Garland Ranch definitely has that in spades.

There is so much to look at and do around here that it will look like our session was twice as long. It’s never failed to create an amazing gallery of images for my clients to enjoy for a lifetime.

Garland Ranch has such spectacular natural beauty that it’s irresistible. From the enchanting woodlands to the rugged canyons, this park is stunning from every angle. The towering ancient oaks create a special ambiance, especially during changing seasons.

In the fall, the maple trees around the canyon turn a jaw-dropping orange, red, and yellow. The peak colors last for about two to three weeks, so if we’re lucky enough to snag that window, we definitely should!

If you’re up for it, Garland Ranch has plenty of winding trails that we can take that lead to even more picture-perfect backdrops. This park also has a peaceful meadow for dreamy concepts, so whatever theme you’re looking for, we can go above and beyond to capture your dream photos.

When it comes to choosing the perfect photo session location in Carmel Valley, Garland Ranch Regional Park is definitely the clear winner. Its spectacular beauty, diverse landscapes, pet-friendly environment, and numerous hiking trails make it an ideal spot.

Ready to say yes to Garland Ranch Regional Park? I don’t blame you. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns regarding this fantastic photo shoot location.

Garland Ranch + Colton Hall Museum - Carmel Valley, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Monica + Daniel

Monica + Daniel just got married on January 7th in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I wish I could’ve been a part of it, but I was a wee bit outside of their budget. However, they still wanted to work with me, so they hired me for their engagement photos.

I photographed Monica’s cousin, Maria, for her wedding a couple months ago. Tap here to see my blog post all about Maria + Noe’s big day!

Monica and I actually had multiple instances of mutual connection, and it was so cool to discover that during our session. She’s a Dental Hygienist, and it turns out that she actually worked with my sister at a dental office a couple years ago. Small world!

We scheduled the shoot for Mid-December, and at the time, the couple were knee-deep in wedding preparations. Monica + Daniel were both eagerly anticipating their big day.

Their smiles were so wide and genuine that I couldn’t help but grin along with them! Right from the start, I knew that we were going to capture some prize-worthy shots.

This engagement session included two gorgeous locations: Garland Ranch and the Colton Hall Museum. I’ve shot at both of these places a million times, so I know all of the tips, tricks, and special alcoves that will give the illusion of privacy even if the place is busy.

At the Garland Ranch, Monica + Daniel combined their wardrobe colors expertly, Monica with her bold purple dress, and Daniel with dark, neutral tones. Having that fantastic pop of color in Monica’s dress made the couple stand out in front of the greens and browns of their surroundings. Great job, you two!

When we arrived at the Colton Hall Museum, the couple changed into clean, bright white. Planning different outfits for each location really made this session special, and I’m thrilled that they chose the pieces they did.

Even though I couldn’t make it to your wedding, it was a pleasure meeting you both for your engagement session at Garland Ranch and the Colton Hall Museum. Congratulations on your marriage! I know you’re both excited to step into this new stage in life.

Carmel State Beach - Carmel, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Ben + Allison

On the first of October, I drove out to Carmel State Beach to photograph Ben + Allison’s gorgeous micro-wedding. It was such an amazing event!

It doesn’t matter how big the wedding is when you love someone the way Ben + Allison do! There was something so special about these two celebrating with only their closest family and friends.

The wedding was flawless. They chose the most perfect spot on Carmel State Beach that had a view of the Pebble Beach Golf Course. This made for some absolutely stunning photos! I’m obsessed.

Both Ben + Allison are excellent golf players, and apparently, Ben went semi-pro! He proposed at the Pebble Beach Golf Course, which is why this gorgeous spot on the beach was such a good location for them. It really ties their story together!

We decided last-minute to climb up to the exact spot where he proposed, and took some stunning photos up there. It was a workout to walk across the sand with all my camera gear, but boy, was it worth it!

Ben + Allison were super easy to work with. I swapped between my 35mm and 85mm lenses to get a variation of close and wide shots. Both are so romantic. I’m glad that I brought them!

The 35mm has been my absolute favorite lately because I’ve learned to frame things so artistically that it seems like you’re there at the session when you look at them. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: don’t rob yourself of amazing photos like these! Hire a pro!

Since Ben + Allison drove all the way from Sacramento, which is about 3.5 hours one-way, they spent the weekend here in Carmel. After the wedding, they all headed to Alvarado Brewery to have dinner with their families.

On the way, we passed their favorite house on the coast. They’ve tried looking it up online before, just to see how much it’s worth, but they can never locate it, so they call it their “mystery house.” I hope they do find it one day, because this couple is so sweet!

Ben + Allison, I can’t tell you what an honor it was to be a part of your special day. I’m so happy for both of you, and I wish you all the best as you run forward in this new stage of life together. Congratulations!