Woodsy Location on 17 Mile Drive - Pacific Grove, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Location Spotlight

If you’re looking for a woodsy location for your photoshoot, I’ve got to share with you one of my secret photo session locations. This is one of my all-time favorites and for good reason!

Since Jackie and I are probably the only photographers who shoot here, one of the major highlights of this woodsy location is that you’ll have one-of-a-kind photos! It’s our secret spot, one of those places only a seasoned photographer will think to take you.

We originally stumbled across this woodsy location out of desperation. One of our clients was looking for the kind of whimsical theme that only an old forest can give you. We thought long and hard about where to take this client and eventually scouted 17 Mile Drive for the perfect spot.

And we found it! After that first client fell head over heels for the final gallery, we knew that we had found a place too precious not to keep on our radar. This secret location has been a staple of ours for years, and it will remain on our list of top locations for many more to come.

Since it’s along 17 Mile Drive, I often pair this location with Asilomar State Beach. This gives your gallery an extra level of variation, which is great if you only take family photos once per year.

We are also the only people who know about this spot, so there is absolutely zero chance of photo bombers in the background. We’ve got the place all to ourselves, so we can focus on creating genuine moments of authenticity.

We don’t even have to worry about lighting. For the most part, the trees around us give enough shade so that you and your loved ones look your best.

This location is perfect for family sessions, but I have done many other kinds here, too! The kids love playing with the leaves or climbing over tree limbs. If you’ve got little ones, I highly recommend coming here!

There is no specific address for this spot except for coordinates and landmarks. It can be tricky to find, so Jackie and I will probably meet you at another location and lead you the rest of the way.

Ready to book this location? Let me know! I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for our photo session together. See you there!

Colton Hall + Asilomar State Beach - Monterey, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Janet + Manny’s Engagement

Engagement sessions are an excellent way to capture the essence of a couple's relationship and their love story. Janet + Manny's engagement session was no exception. We went to two stunning locations: Colton Hall Museum and Asilomar State Beach, two of my favorites!

They were a joy to work with, and their love for each other was evident in every shot. Manny lives in Utah, and Janet lives in Watsonville, so it was extra special for them to have their engagement session in Monterey, a location that is meaningful to both of them.

Janet will be moving to Utah after the wedding, so choosing to have engagement photos here meant a lot to her. Because of that, I know that the photos from this engagement session are going to be treasured as an essential piece of their story.

During our consultation call, Janet described herself as a "planner," and it was clear that she wasn’t lying! She put a lot of thought and effort into preparing for the session, and it definitely shows in the final result. They communicated their needs and wants clearly, and they knew exactly what they wanted to achieve. It made my job much easier, and we were able to create stunning images that captured the essence of their relationship.

When it came time to choose a location, I provided them with my location recommendation guide. They were drawn to the Colton Hall and Asilomar State Beach. These locations are a go-to of mine for any kind of session, and we were able to capture a variety of beautiful shots that showcased the couple's love for each other.

On the day of the session, Janet's makeup was flawless. She had done it all herself, and it looked like it was done by a professional. I was impressed by her attention to detail and her ability to create a look that suited her perfectly. Manny also looked dashing in his outfit, and their outfits complemented each other beautifully.

Unfortunately, the California coast had been affected by storms a few months prior, and Asilomar beach was not in its best shape. Parts of the beach were inaccessible due to beach cleanup and erosion, which made it challenging to get the perfect shot. However, we were able to maneuver around and find the perfect angles to minimize or eliminate the distractions.

Overall, my engagement session with Janet + Manny was a fantastic experience. They were punctual, communicative, and had a clear vision of what they wanted. I know they enjoyed themselves just as much as I did! I’m looking forward to photographing and filming their wedding on April 21 at Jardines San Juan, and I can't wait to see what their special day will be like.

If you're thinking about having an engagement session, my advice would be to have fun with it and be yourself. Choose a location that has a special meaning to you, and don't be afraid to incorporate personal touches into your shoot. Whether it's bringing your furry friend along or wearing your favorite outfit, make sure that you feel comfortable and confident, and your personality will shine through in the photos.

At Drew Zavala Photo, we specialize in engagement, wedding, and portrait photography, and we would love to help you capture your special moments. Contact us today to learn more about our services!

Henry Cowell Redwood Forest + Colton Hall Museum - Felton, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Sean + Savannah

Sean + Savannah’s engagement session was swoon worthy! These two are meant for each other, so it was a huge pleasure to help document this part of their love story. After some deliberation, we decided to split the session between two awesome locations: Henry Cowell Redwood Forest and Colton Hall Museum.

It was so cool learning all about these two during our session. Sean is an insurance broker and Savannah is a school psychologist and counselor. How did they meet, you ask? Online! They are both Starbucks addicts, and from there, their relationship has blossomed into something beautiful.

These two could not stop laughing throughout the entire shoot—not that I wanted them too! Their humor was off the walls as they cracked one joke after another. Their cheerful attitudes were contagious!

We started off the session at the Henry Cowell Redwood Forest. These redwoods are so gorgeous! There is a beautiful trail that winds through the hills and trees, so we stuck to the path to find great backgrounds.

For this engagement session, Sean + Savannah decided to go for two different wardrobe styles. Jeans was just the thing for the Redwood forest, but these two also brought along a more formal wardrobe choice for the second half of the session, which took place at the Colton Hall Museum.

Savannah’s green dress was such a statement piece, but we did have a dress malfunction when we stopped to change at a Starbucks. We rushed to the local CVS to get a safety pin, knowing that if we didn’t hurry, all of the good light would be gone.

Fortunately, we managed to find the pins. They did the job, but it didn’t hold up as well as we liked. I’ve had things like this happen before, so I was able to reassure her that everything would be okay.

A lot can be done in the editing process, but I also posed them in a way where the malfunction wouldn’t show as much. In the end, it worked out just fine! Sean + Savannah were able to let their worries go and continue celebrating each other.

These two have set their wedding date for June. We’ll be photographing it too, so we can’t wait to see Sean + Savannah again on their special day! I have a feeling that it’s going to be a day to remember, so keep an eye out for more!

Sean + Savannah, our engagement session at the Henry Cowell Redwood Forest and the Colton Hall Museum was stunning! Thank you so much for letting me tell your story. I wish you all the best as you begin your wedding preparations!