Colton Hall Museum - Monterey, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Jose + Carolina

If you're looking for a photographer in California to capture your engagement session, look no further! Recently, we had the pleasure of photographing Jose + Carolina's engagement at the beautiful Colton Hall Museum, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the results.

From the moment we met Jose + Carolina, we knew they were going to be wonderful to work with. They were both so kind and easygoing, and you could tell they were genuinely in love with each other.

As a photographer, it's always great to work with couples who are already comfortable in front of the camera, but we understand that not everyone is like that, especially when it's your first time doing a professional photoshoot. At the beginning of the session, Jose + Carolina were a little stiff and cold, but that's completely normal. I wasn’t phased at all!

We always give our clients some time to warm up and get comfortable, and that's exactly what happened with these two. With a couple warm ups and ice breakers, Jose + Carolina were able to take a deep breath and enjoy the session.

After that, they were so natural that you would’ve thought they were models! I’m so proud of them and how well they adapted. Their photos turned out beautifully.

Colton Hall Museum was the perfect location for this engagement session. The historic building and grounds provided a beautiful backdrop for the photos, and we were able to capture some truly stunning shots. The architecture and landscaping are everything and more, and we were able to play around with different angles and perspectives to create some unique images.

We're excited to say that we'll be photographing and filming Jose + Carolina's wedding in April. They are expecting a ton of guests, so it's going to be a big event. We can't wait to be a part of their special day and capture all of the beautiful moments for them.

If you're looking for a photographer in California for your engagement session or wedding, we would love to work with you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let's create some beautiful memories together!

Henry Cowell Redwood Forest + Colton Hall Museum - Felton, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Sean + Savannah

Sean + Savannah’s engagement session was swoon worthy! These two are meant for each other, so it was a huge pleasure to help document this part of their love story. After some deliberation, we decided to split the session between two awesome locations: Henry Cowell Redwood Forest and Colton Hall Museum.

It was so cool learning all about these two during our session. Sean is an insurance broker and Savannah is a school psychologist and counselor. How did they meet, you ask? Online! They are both Starbucks addicts, and from there, their relationship has blossomed into something beautiful.

These two could not stop laughing throughout the entire shoot—not that I wanted them too! Their humor was off the walls as they cracked one joke after another. Their cheerful attitudes were contagious!

We started off the session at the Henry Cowell Redwood Forest. These redwoods are so gorgeous! There is a beautiful trail that winds through the hills and trees, so we stuck to the path to find great backgrounds.

For this engagement session, Sean + Savannah decided to go for two different wardrobe styles. Jeans was just the thing for the Redwood forest, but these two also brought along a more formal wardrobe choice for the second half of the session, which took place at the Colton Hall Museum.

Savannah’s green dress was such a statement piece, but we did have a dress malfunction when we stopped to change at a Starbucks. We rushed to the local CVS to get a safety pin, knowing that if we didn’t hurry, all of the good light would be gone.

Fortunately, we managed to find the pins. They did the job, but it didn’t hold up as well as we liked. I’ve had things like this happen before, so I was able to reassure her that everything would be okay.

A lot can be done in the editing process, but I also posed them in a way where the malfunction wouldn’t show as much. In the end, it worked out just fine! Sean + Savannah were able to let their worries go and continue celebrating each other.

These two have set their wedding date for June. We’ll be photographing it too, so we can’t wait to see Sean + Savannah again on their special day! I have a feeling that it’s going to be a day to remember, so keep an eye out for more!

Sean + Savannah, our engagement session at the Henry Cowell Redwood Forest and the Colton Hall Museum was stunning! Thank you so much for letting me tell your story. I wish you all the best as you begin your wedding preparations!

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.