Colton Hall - Monterey, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Lucy + Jesus

Lucy and Jesus' engagement photoshoot was one for the books. It was such a pleasure to make memories with them, and they have such vibrant personalities that it was impossible not to have fun!

Let’s witness their love unfold against the stunning backdrops of Colton Hall and the beach! These locations were everything we needed and more to bring their love story to life. Check it out!

Lucy, a dedicated nurse, and Jesus, a skilled construction worker, meticulously planned every detail of their engagement session, including brand new outfits! They wanted to make sure that everything turned out perfect, and they executed their vision so well.

They were also a dream in front of the camera. I usually give about 99% of the direction, but that last 1% takes things so far! Lucy and Jesus nailed it.

Lucy even had some great ideas of her own. She had a particular photo that she wanted taken, so we tried out her pose in several different locations to make sure she got the shot she wanted.

I’m so glad that we scheduled our session pretty early in the evening, because they ended up hitting unexpected traffic. Fortunately, their effective communication ensured that we could still visit all the locations on their list — and even have time for an outfit change!

My handy-dandy changing tent was perfect for the occasion since there were no public bathrooms near the beach. It’s definitely a ton easier to change in there than in your car.

Lucy and Jesus embraced the romantic ambiance. They even brought along a bottle of champagne! This was such a great touch to their session.

I am eagerly anticipating their wedding, which will happen in August. We’ll be photographing it too, and I’m so excited! As a Monterey and Carmel engagement photographer, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with couples like Lucy and Jesus, and I can’t wait to document the magical moments of their upcoming wedding. Thanks so much for choosing me as your engagement photographer!

King City, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Ledesma Family

As a family photographer, I always love it when I have the chance to photograph a large family. Recently, I had the chance to photograph an amazing photo session with the Ledesma family. I can’t wait to show you the pics!

I photographed their whole family about a year ago, and we were actually supposed to do a maternity session when Mom was pregnant with the twins, but these little guys couldn’t wait to see the world, so they came earlier than expected.

We waited until these little guys were ready for a family session, and it couldn’t have worked out better! I’m so glad that they are strong and healthy and that they have a loving family that just adores them.

Our session couldn’t have happened on a more perfect May day. We went to one of my favorite photo session locations ever, which was San Lorenzo Park. The sun was shining, and we had just the right amount of wind to play with Mom’s flowing dress.

Speaking of the wardrobe, I loved how well Mom color-coordinated all of the outfits. Following a cohesive color theme, each member of the family wore something unique and fun.

I know how hard it can be to get a bunch of kids ready for a picture-perfect photo session. It can be super stressful for some parents, so I always do my best to reassure everyone that everything will turn out fine.

During times like these, I always allow more time than allotted to accommodate transitioning or any mishaps with the kids. I’m here to make your family photo session as easy as a breeze!

Having a newborn set of twins on the set presented a few unique challenges, but the Ledesmas came prepared. They brought a stroller to the session so the little ones could snooze safely while I snapped some shots of Mom + Dad together.

The kids were so well-behaved, too. I couldn’t believe how well they listened to my prompts. They even had a great attitude throughout the entire session. Fantastic job, you guys!

I can’t thank the Ledesmas enough for becoming a repeat client. Thanks for all of your support, and I hope you enjoy your photos!

Greenfield + Gonzales, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Al + Mari

I had an absolute blast photographing Al + Mari, who just so happen to be my brother-in-law and his wife! And get this—I actually had the pleasure of photographing them for their engagement session five years ago. Talk about full circle!

As a photographer, I understand the importance of finding the perfect location for a shoot, which is why I went above and beyond to ensure that Al + Mari had a memorable experience.

We faced many challenges, including harsh lighting and finding the right backdrop, but we persevered and found a smaller patch of blooming wildflowers that provided the perfect setting.

During the photo session, we visited three different locations that allowed us to capture a variety of stunning images. The first location was Arroyo Seco Road in Greenfield, CA, a remote and rural area that provided a unique and natural setting.

From there, we moved on to an empty lot in the middle of Greenfield. Initially, Al was a bit uneasy since it was a high-traffic residential area, and he was worried about being seen. In real life, it didn’t look like much of a spot, but as a photographer, I’ve developed the ability to see thing differently than other people.

Although the tall grass seemed sketchy, Al + Mari trusted my vision, and we created some of the most beautiful images of the day. As a photographer, I’ve developed the ability to see thing differently than other people, so trust me when I say your photographer knows best!

Our final location was off River Road in Gonzales, CA, where we faced cold and windy weather conditions. You need a keen eye to spot this location, or you’ll miss it. It was all worth it in the end. The flowers and lighting were perfect!

Al + Mari's love for each other was so strong throughout the shoot, and it made my job a joy. I believe that the key to creating beautiful and authentic images is to establish a connection with my clients. During our shoot, we laughed and shared stories, which helped to break the ice and create a relaxed and comfortable environment.

If you're looking for a photographer who will go above and beyond to capture your special moments, then look no further. Don't hesitate to contact me for your engagement or portrait session, and let's create some beautiful memories!