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!

Asilomar State Beach - Pacific Grove, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Location Spotlight

Asilomar State Beach is nestled along the picturesque coast of Pacific Grove, California and offers an unparalleled backdrop for your photo sessions. This spot is one of my favorites of all time, so I hope you love it as much as I do!

Asilomar State Beach is renowned for its enchanting 1-mile long stretch of beach. Complete with a walking trail, the rugged coastline is sprinkled with fascinating rock formations and tidal pools that always make photos pop, so no matter what happens, you’re basically guaranteed amazing shots.

This is because Asilomar State Beach has everything we need to create great composition. From the tall cliffs to the ocean spray, there’s always plenty going on to frame you and your loved ones in the perfect photograph.

Asilomar State Beach has a tranquil stretch of golden sand, too, if you’re not into the rocky coves, and I’ve created some incredibly romantic shots along the sand dunes. From one end to the other, this beach is magazine-worthy.

I’ve taken every kind of session here, from engagements to family portraits! No matter what kinds of memories you’re looking to create, I know all of the most fun and romantic places along this shoreline.

The tide pools in particular are always a hit. You’ll often find little sea critters just hanging out, and kids and children at heart always go nuts for the crabs, starfish, and clams. This sense of wonder never fails to create powerful memories for you and your family.

If you’re looking to capture candid moments, portraits, or romantic couple shots, Asilomar State Beach is the place to go. As long as it’s not raining, we’ll have an amazing time—but I have been known to protect my camera with a plastic bag before! This location is too beautiful to pass up.

One of the biggest advantages to Asilomar State Beach is that it has ample parking. Unlike many other popular spots, you won’t have to worry about hunting for a parking space and walking a long distance to have an amazing gallery.

Asilomar State Beach also is equipped with restrooms, so if you want to hang around after your session or if there’s an emergency, you’ll be able to take care of things. This easy access allows us to maximize our time together.

Ready to choose this location? Let me know! I can’t wait to start planning your session at Asilomar State Beach.

Asilomar State Beach - Pacific Grove, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Jay + Akshata

In early December, Jay planned meticulously for his marriage proposal to Akshata, and he contacted me to see if I was available to capture the moment for them. I was all for it!

The proposal was going to happen at sunrise on Asilomar Beach. I was looking forward to dreamy sunrise shots, but as the day came closer, a huge storm rolled in. I advised Jay of the rain, and that if his heart was set on those romantic sunrise shots, we might want to reschedule. But he just said, “Let’s do it anyways!”

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting there to be much to work with during the rain, but Jay must have had a gut feeling because man, these photos turned out to be some of the most striking engagement photos of my career! His flexibility on the matter was very admirable. Sure enough, the day came, and there was enough rain that I actually had to cover my camera with a grocery bag to keep it dry.

Jay told Akshata that his boss wanted to see him out there before their day began to show him something. Jay is in tech, so I’m surprised Akshata didn’t suspect anything, but she went along for the ride.

Then Jay popped the question, and Akshata was shocked! With the rain falling around them, it was hard to tell if she was crying or not, but she was so touched and accepted immediately. Congratulations!

The wind was so fierce that I had to be careful which direction I pointed my lens. If it got wet, the images would turn out blurry, and I definitely couldn’t risk that. By positioning the couple strategically, we overcame this obstacle.

When I got home, I was still completely drenched. I’ve never experienced that on a shoot before, and it was definitely a wild ride. Even so, I would 10/10 do it again!

When Jay + Akshata saw their final gallery, they were in love with the photos. I can definitely see why! These two were so passionate and loving.

Thank you so much for choosing me to document this special moment, Jay! It was so much fun planning with you, and I’m so happy that we went through with the session despite the foreseeable challenges. Congratulations, you two!