Asilomar State Beach - Pacific Grove, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Location Spotlight

Asilomar State Beach is nestled along the picturesque coast of Pacific Grove, California and offers an unparalleled backdrop for your photo sessions. This spot is one of my favorites of all time, so I hope you love it as much as I do!

Asilomar State Beach is renowned for its enchanting 1-mile long stretch of beach. Complete with a walking trail, the rugged coastline is sprinkled with fascinating rock formations and tidal pools that always make photos pop, so no matter what happens, you’re basically guaranteed amazing shots.

This is because Asilomar State Beach has everything we need to create great composition. From the tall cliffs to the ocean spray, there’s always plenty going on to frame you and your loved ones in the perfect photograph.

Asilomar State Beach has a tranquil stretch of golden sand, too, if you’re not into the rocky coves, and I’ve created some incredibly romantic shots along the sand dunes. From one end to the other, this beach is magazine-worthy.

I’ve taken every kind of session here, from engagements to family portraits! No matter what kinds of memories you’re looking to create, I know all of the most fun and romantic places along this shoreline.

The tide pools in particular are always a hit. You’ll often find little sea critters just hanging out, and kids and children at heart always go nuts for the crabs, starfish, and clams. This sense of wonder never fails to create powerful memories for you and your family.

If you’re looking to capture candid moments, portraits, or romantic couple shots, Asilomar State Beach is the place to go. As long as it’s not raining, we’ll have an amazing time—but I have been known to protect my camera with a plastic bag before! This location is too beautiful to pass up.

One of the biggest advantages to Asilomar State Beach is that it has ample parking. Unlike many other popular spots, you won’t have to worry about hunting for a parking space and walking a long distance to have an amazing gallery.

Asilomar State Beach also is equipped with restrooms, so if you want to hang around after your session or if there’s an emergency, you’ll be able to take care of things. This easy access allows us to maximize our time together.

Ready to choose this location? Let me know! I can’t wait to start planning your session at Asilomar State Beach.

Fairview Laguna Seca - Monterey CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Eric + Ilse's Wedding

Photographing Eric + Ilse's wedding was an absolute delight. This high school sweetheart couple tied the knot at the beautiful St. Joseph's Church in Spreckles, CA, and celebrated their reception at the scenic Fairview Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA.

These two were so easygoing during their entire day. It definitely helped that the couple and I already had an established relationship! I photographed Ilse’s sister’s wedding not too long ago, and it was a pleasure to see all the familiar faces that came to this extraordinary wedding.

I can tell that Ilse and her sister are a lot alike, and it was so much fun to see the sisters celebrate on this special day! My wife Jackie and I had such a good time at this wedding, too. It was a 10/10 event, and it was an honor to create the gallery of Eric + Ilse’s dreams!

The ceremony happened at St. Joseph’s Church in Spreckles, CA, and it was beyond gorgeous. There was not a sad face to be seen as these two tied the knot!

One of the most unique things that happened at this wedding was that the couple rented a car from Monterey Touring Vehicles. Jackie and I have never had the opportunity to take photos inside such a cool car, and it was such a statement in their gallery. I hope they love these as much as we do!

After the ceremony, everyone headed out to Fairview Laguna Seca for the reception, where Eric’s cousin shared a heartfelt story about how he won an MVP medal and how Eric is the true winner for scoring the woman of his dreams. It was such a great speech!

There were no kids in attendance, which meant that all the attention was 100% on the couple at all times. There were less distractions, and everyone felt comfortable letting loose once the party really got started.

Once the DJ, Shawn Storm, turned up the music, I snatched the couple away for a few minutes of sunset drone shots. These add so much dimension and allow the couple to see their day from a whole new perspective. That said, I made sure not to steal them away for too long.

This wedding was nothing but 100% good vibes all around. Eric + Ilse are such an amazing couple, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them.

Jackie and I truly felt a connection with them, and we would gladly grab a beer with them in the future. Thanks so much for trusting us with your wedding photos! It was a glorious day.

Jardines De San Juan - San Juan Bautista, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Janet + Manny's Wedding

Every wedding holds its own unique charm, but some love stories have a way of touching your heart in profound ways. Janet + Manny's wedding at Jardines De San Juan was not just a celebration of their love but a priceless moment that just had to be documented.

It was such a privilege to be there for Janet + Manny’s wedding, and I can’t wait to show you all of the amazing photos from their extraordinary day! These two were such a romantic couple.

Love has a beautiful way of unfolding in the quiet moments, away from the grandeur of the ceremony. As Janet + Manny prepared for their big day, we captured all of the emotions, from nerves to excitement! Something that really helped the couple relax was taking first look portraits together.

Hacienda de Leal served as the perfect backdrop for their first look portraits, and it was a moment so pure that time seemed to stand still. The emotion in their eyes as they locked gazes for the first time that day gave us chills!

Despite some harsh lighting during the ceremony, we were determined to preserve the magic of their day, working tirelessly to position them in the most flattering angles. Their love definitely shone through in every frame.

Photography freezes moments, but videography breathes life into them. Janet + Manny recognized the value of both mediums, and we were honored to provide them with the opportunity to relive their wedding day in both photos and video. Check out their highlight video!

Manny + Janet - Teaser from Drew Zavala Media on Vimeo.

The blend of photographs and video footage allowed us to capture their love story in its entirety, unveiling the subtleties and emotions that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. One of my favorite moments of the entire day was getting a drone shot of Janet walking down the aisle. It was priceless!

Janet + Manny were so overjoyed that they purchased this package, and they did not regret spending more for both. That said, I highly encourage clients to follow their own path.

Thank you both so much for the honor of documenting your special day! As these two start their new life together, Janet + Manny invited us to go mountain biking with them in Utah, where they will be living from now on! We’ll definitely have to take them up on it soon.

Janet + Manny's wedding was such a beautiful day. From their intimate first look portraits to the breathtaking ceremony, we were humbled to document their journey at Jardines De San Juan. Thanks again for choosing us, and see you in Utah!