If you’ve ever dreamed of engagement photos that feel less like a photo shoot and more like an experience… Big Sur is the place.

Amber and Cooper came to the California coast for an engagement adventure session that was cinematic, meaningful, and honestly just fun. They’re getting married this summer in Lake Como, Italy, and wanted their engagement photos to feel just as elevated—romantic, natural, and full of movement.

So we planned a session that included everything Big Sur does best:

• Dramatic cliffs
• Fog rolling in off the ocean
• A quiet beach moment
• Pizza on the coast
• Lanterns at dusk
• And pelicans flying overhead the entire time

As a Big Sur engagement photographer, these are the sessions I live for—intentional, adventurous, and completely unique to the couple.

Why Big Sur Is Perfect for an Engagement Adventure Session

Big Sur is one of the most iconic places in California for engagement photos, and it’s easy to see why.

The coastline feels unreal. The cliffs stretch forever. The beaches are wild and quiet. And every session feels different depending on the weather and light.

Amber and Cooper didn’t want traditional engagement photos.

They wanted something that felt like them:

• Candid
• Cinematic
• Adventurous
• Romantic without being overly posed

A Big Sur engagement session gives you space to explore, slow down, and create something that feels like a memory instead of a production.

Planning an Engagement Session in Big Sur (Cliffs + Beach in One Day)

One of the best parts about doing engagement photos in Big Sur is how much variety you can fit into a single session.

Amber and Cooper wanted both:

• Cliffside views
• A beach location

So we planned their timeline around movement and experience.

We started up on the cliffs with the fog rolling through the hills, then ended down on the beach as the evening got softer.

This is one of the reasons working with a Big Sur photographer matters—knowing where to go, when the light hits best, and how to build a session that flows naturally.

A Foggy Day on the Big Sur Coast (The Most Cinematic Weather)

Some couples worry when they see fog in the forecast.

But honestly?

Fog is one of the most magical things Big Sur can give you.

Amber and Cooper’s session was wrapped in coastal mist the entire day, and it made everything feel even more cinematic.

Fog creates:

• Soft, diffused light
• Moody cliffside backdrops
• A timeless, editorial look
• Less crowded locations

As a Big Sur engagement photographer, I always tell couples: fog is part of the experience here. It’s what makes Big Sur feel like Big Sur.

Pelicans, Ocean Air, and That Wild Coastal Energy

One of my favorite moments from Amber and Cooper’s session was looking up and seeing pelicans everywhere.

They were flying low over the waves, moving in groups along the shoreline.

It felt like the coast was showing off.

That’s the thing about engagement sessions in Big Sur—you’re not just taking photos.

You’re stepping into a landscape that’s alive.

And those unexpected moments become part of your story.

Including Pizza + Lanterns for a Meaningful Engagement Session

Amber and Cooper brought two of the best session details:

Pizza on the Beach

Nothing feels more “real life romantic” than sitting together with pizza after running around the cliffs.

It gave them something to do, something to laugh about, and it made the photos feel effortless.

If you’re planning a Big Sur engagement adventure session, food is always a great idea:

• Pizza
• Champagne
• Coffee
• Picnic snacks
• Local pastries

Lanterns at Dusk

As the light faded, they brought lanterns to create a cozy, glowing ending to their session.

It was intimate, simple, and felt like a little scene from a movie.

Lanterns are such a good way to add:

• Warm light
• Movement
• Storytelling
• Personality

These kinds of details are what turn engagement photos into an experience.

Engagement Photos Before a Destination Wedding (Lake Como Couples Take Note)

Amber and Cooper are getting married in Lake Como this summer, and their Big Sur engagement session felt like the perfect pre-wedding chapter.

A lot of my couples planning destination weddings want engagement photos that match that elevated, adventurous vibe.

Big Sur is ideal for that.

It’s one of the most luxurious natural landscapes in California, and it attracts couples from all over the world who want something unforgettable.

If you’re planning a destination wedding in Italy, France, or anywhere abroad, doing your engagement session somewhere like Big Sur makes your story feel complete.

Ready to Plan Your Big Sur Engagement Session?

Amber and Cooper’s foggy, cliffside engagement session was everything Big Sur does best—romantic, adventurous, a little wild, and completely unforgettable.

If you’re dreaming of engagement photos on the cliffs, on the beach, or anywhere along the California coast…

I’d love to help you plan an experience that feels true to you.

As a Big Sur engagement photographer and Big Sur elopement photographer, I specialize in cinematic, unposed imagery for couples who want their photos to feel like real moments—not a production.