Morro Rock - Morro Bay, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Location Spotlight

Morro Rock is one of the most iconic scenes along the Californian coast. That’s why it would make an amazing location for your next photo session! This volcanic plug sits on the coastline, stretching 576 feet tall. Not only is this one of the most stunning views along the coast, but it holds a ton of historical significance to our state.

Including this massive rock in your photos will lend a sense of character to your images, setting them apart from ordinary photo shoots. Whether it's a portrait, engagement session, or family photo, Morro Rock adds an unmistakable touch of grandeur and distinction.

The allure of the Pacific Ocean is undeniable, and Morro Rock provides an enchanting coastal setting for your photo session. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the rocky shores, coupled with the vast expanse of the ocean, creates an atmosphere that will infuse your pictures with a sense of tranquility and natural wonder.

Morro Rock and its surroundings offer a diverse range of photography opportunities. From golden sandy beaches to rugged coastal cliffs, we'll find the perfect backdrop to match your desired aesthetic.

We can even walk right up to the rock itself if you want, but we can’t climb it because it’s an ecological preserve for peregrine falcons, and it holds strong cultural significance to Native Americans.

On calm days, the waters of Morro Bay mirror the rock's imposing presence, creating stunning reflections that will amplify the beauty of your photographs. These mirror-like reflections offer an artistic and surreal touch, making your images truly stand out.

However, there are days when Morro Rock isn’t very visible due to fog or rain. If this happens during our session, we can either make the most of it or reschedule. While it is disappointing, this has happened a few times.

That said, nothing is better than a perfect day here. Morro Rock is a stunning location with tons of history and cultural significance. I highly recommend it!

If you love California as much as I do, consider choosing Morro Rock for your next photo session! I can’t wait to see you there.

Morro Bay, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - AJ + Ariana

I was in for a glorious treat on AJ + Ariana’s special day because their intimately-sized wedding took place on a boat! It was my first time taking my camera to a sea session, so I was more than thrilled to face any new challenges that came up!

The wedding party prepared at Front Street Inn & Spa, which was less than a quarter mile from the dock. This made things so easy for everyone involved! The transition from land to boat was seamless.

I can’t recommend Chablis Cruises enough for their amazing service. If you’re looking for the perfect intimate wedding venue, you really can’t go wrong with a boat like this! AJ + Ariana definitely made the right choice. This was a venue to remember!

The captain had to guide the boat in a zig-zag pattern to avoid rough waters, so the lighting changed frequently. We didn’t avoid the rough waves entirely, but that was a part of the day’s magic!

I needed to re-frame the shots consistently while photographing, but good coordination and communication with the captain helped out immensely. I can’t wait to do something like this again!

To combat the constantly-changing environment, it was crucial that I used a high shutter speed on my camera. This allowed us to capture crisp images even though I wasn’t nearly as steady as I am on flat ground!

With just their closest friends and family, the event felt truly intimate. I loved all of their theme and style choices. Atomic Blooms went above and beyond, translating AJ + Ariana’s floral dreams into a reality. This couple put so much thought into their special day!

The sun was actually out, unlike a few months ago during their engagement shoot. During that session, the mist and fog were so thick that we could barely see the horizon.

While that session was also amazing, I’m so glad that the weather was different today so that we could have the chance to capture the waves and Morro Rock in the background!

AJ + Ariana, I’m completely floored by how stunning your wedding was. These pictures are worth a million words! Congratulations, and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for you in the future!

Morro Rock - Morro Bay, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Ariana + AJ

Congratulations on your engagement, Ariana + AJ! To celebrate, they booked me for an engagement shoot at Morro Rock.

Ariana + AJ are brand-new clients, so it was fantastic getting to know them during our session! AJ loves collecting old cars and Ariana is a tattoo artist.

This couple is truly meant for each other! Through the entire session, I felt their peace and warmth towards one another. They are super in love, and there’s no doubt in my mind that they’re soulmates!

Since it was their first time taking professional photos, I was so impressed with how comfortable they were together in front of the camera!

They actually came all the way from Los Angeles to have their photos taken, which is about a three or four hour drive from here. They look so beautiful that I can’t even tell based on the photos!

Sadly, the Morro Rock wasn’t visible in our shoot because of the crazy amount of fog. However, that didn’t stop us from capturing an awesome session!

Since fog is pretty unpredictable, I knew it was going to be difficult to make the photos pop, but we fearlessly took on the challenge.

It was great Ariana + AJ chose to dress in black! That made them really stand out from the light background.

In the end, I think we did a fantastic job! We came out with a stunningly unique session with a spectacular couple. The misty fog suits their style and personality perfectly, but I still hope that it will be clear for the wedding!

I’m so excited to be photographing your wedding later next month! It will be so exciting to come back here to Morro Rock. I hope you both cherish this exciting time of life!