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.

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!

Soberanes Point - Big Sur, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Raymond + Johanna

It was a foggy day on Soberanes Point in Big Sur, California during Raymond + Johanna’s proposal session. Even so, the mist was beautiful!

Raymond and Johanna drove from Paso Robles, but they’re originally from the Los Angeles area. By the time they arrived, the stage was set for a romantic proposal!

Unfortunately, it was difficult and sometimes impossible to see the coastline. The mist was so thick that my lens kept getting wet and I had to wipe it a few times.

It took some strategy to position myself where the lens wouldn’t get wet. Back turned to the mist, I captured winning photo after winning photo! These two lovebirds were naturals in front of the camera.

While the misty day wasn’t what Raymond envisioned for his proposal to Johanna, the shots turned out so soft, which added a unique touch to their photos. They turned out absolutely fantastic!

Soberanes Point doesn’t have the best cell service, so sometimes it’s hard to find the right location. Luckily, I was able to spot Raymond + Johanna as they came down the road because Raymond let us know what they were wearing. I flagged him over to the correct turn when Johanna wasn’t looking.

Raymond + Johanna didn’t come alone. They brought their adorable Chihuahua puppy with them! The dog was so friendly and well-behaved, the perfect witness to what was about to happen!

When Raymond popped the question, Johanna couldn’t contain her happiness! She said yes without any hesitation. Congratulations, you two!

To celebrate, they popped open a bottle of champagne. Surrounded by soft pillows, blankets, and a pair of romantic candles, the couple enjoyed this special moment whole-heartedly.

It was amazing to document your proposal at Soberanes Point, Raymond + Johanna! Congratulations, and I wish you both the very best going forward.