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.

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.