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!

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!

Asilomar State Beach - Pacific Grove, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Jennsy + Alexis

Last month, I packed up my camera bag and headed to Asilomar State Beach—a favorite spot of mine! Jennsy + Alexis met me there for an absolutely gorgeous engagement session. Congratulations, you two!

One of my favorite parts about my job is that I get to meet new people and learn their stories! Jennsy + Alexis were so sweet and charming. I loved getting to know them during our session. It turns out, they have a pretty cute love story, too!

Jennsy + Alexis are both Registered Dental Assistants, and they actually work in the same office, but they have known each other for a long time. Alexis is friends with Jennsy’s sister, but he never really noticed her until they grew older.

After that, he started developing feelings for her, and then they began working at the same office! Coincidence? I think not!

Once we got to the beach, it was like the world knew we were coming! The weather was crazy good, and that really set the mood for our engagement session.

They brought two outfits, and both showed different sides of their personalities. With a casual outfit and a more semi-formal one, we got some fantastic variety! I loved both outfits, but the second set was definitely my favorite. I could tell it was theirs, too!

Jennsy + Alexis also brought some cheap champagne to the shoot for some epic spraying shots. Champagne can be a bit predictable, so I recommend bringing a couple in case the first one doesn’t spray the way we want it to! Overall, these shots were so much fun.

Watching them celebrate in the glory of the day was one of the most uplifting things ever. These two are so happy to be together, and I’m brimming with joy just watching them!

When I sent them their gallery, they were overcome with joy all over again. “THESE ARE SO INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH DREW WE HAD A BLAST!” Alexis wrote, caps and all. “THESE ARE LITERALLY THE WAY I ENVISIONED OUR ENGAGEMENT PICTURES COMING OUT!”

I had a blast too, Alexis! And thanks so much for your encouraging and heartfelt words! I’m so glad that you and Jennsy love these as much as I do. It was definitely one of my absolute favorite engagement sessions. Thanks for choosing me as your engagement photographer!