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.

Garland Ranch - Carmel, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Mari + Juan

I was so excited when Mari + Juan booked me for a family session last month! I did their family photos about a year ago. That time, we photographed Mari’s side of the family, and this time I got to meet Juan’s!

They were just as much fun to work with. It was so cool to see how much this family cherishes each other. Mari + Juan’s kids have grown up so much!

Our session happened at Garland Ranch. I convinced them to go for a 4pm time slot, and boy, was that the right call!

The weather was one of those 10/10 days, and I could not have been more happy with how nice it was. The sun was just right, which gave us the chance to use all sorts of photography techniques like backlight.

This family loves western attire, and this wardrobe choice shines in every photo! The western theme is so perfect for showing off their personalities. They played with it!

With extended family shots, it can sometimes be a bit tricky to make sure that everyone has their eyes open, but we had such a good time! I kept things moving and paid close attention to all of those little details so this family has perfect memories to look back on.

Some of Juan’s family were even visiting from Mexico for the first time in many years. To be able to capture their reunion was such a blessing!

I took so many photos of everyone together, but I also set aside some time to capture just Mari + Juan’s family! They are such a joy to work with, and I look forward to hopefully seeing them again soon!

Mari + Juan, I was so happy to see you again! I can’t thank you enough for choosing me again to photograph your beautiful family and extended family. When looking at these photos, I hope you fondly remember the memories we made that day.