Courtney and Jeremy’s Malibu engagement photos took us up and down PCH for maximum views and ocean breezes. 

The Malibu Cove of My Dreams

These cool cats came with shades and a crisp black & white ensemble which really set the modern, editorial tone at our first location. One of Malibu’s classic, craggy, European-looking coves really shines in the late afternoon when the shadows get long and the tide rolls in. They were game to explore and the light was hitting just right. Personally I like to think of myself as a convenient-adventure oriented photographer at engagement sessions. The dream scenario is pulling up, easy parking, short walk to the beautiful place. I am not one for trudging miles up a hill – let’s make it simple. I appreciate that these two trusted me when I requested we pull off on the side of a busy highway next to a small (but crucially present) dirt trail that led us straight to the beach.

Relaxed Yet Editorial

So back to the cove, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the way these two shared a real symbiotic connection that presented so seamlessly in their physical chemistry. Watching them naturally fall into holding each other casually made me very excited. They exuded this sense of calm that is often hard to come by with engagement photos. I think there’s a temptation to clam up and freak when you know you’re about to be on camera. Trust is crucial to this process. It’s really a two way street. I can prompt and direct and encourage, but I can also only work with what you give back to me. And these two? They were givinggggg!

Our first location really struck me because of the sunlight. Good light covers a multitude of wrongs, but the backdrop was also stunning. This combo is a match made in heaven situation for me as the photographer. With dynamic light, I usually envision a ton of different ways to frame images, and these two were willing participants to clamber around the rocks and remain entwined all the while. 

Malibu Pier Pros and Cons

Once I felt like we had enough of those dramatic and editorial-like photographs out of the way, we got back in the car and drove 30 minutes south to the Malibu Pier. I mean, that’s my baby, she’s iconic… you get it. Weirdly, the pier was closed when we arrived, so getting photos on the pier was not an option. Initially, I think we were all a little bummed, especially because we headed down to the sand and saw that there was VERY LITTLE SAND left due to high tide. Thankfully, traversing underneath the pier led us to a quiet, nearly empty stretch of beach. 

The Rom-Com Portion of Our Photoshoot

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, flexibility and a willing attitude to do whatever really does make photos a lot easier. And these two came openminded. For the second half of our shoot, I really wanted to capture and create some of the romance of Malibu in these photos. Stoic is cool, but warm and fluttery and romantic is really what you want when you look at photos of you and your partner together. I slowed the shutter, inched them towards the waterline, and encouraged lots of movement and hand holding. I was internally (and possibly externally but who’s to say) screaming with joy watching Jeremy and Courtney get cozy on the beach because it felt straight out of a romcom. CI-NE-MA, you know what I’m saying? The perfect blend of screen-grab-from-a-movie kinds of photos and a few slightly silly, perfectly imperfect sorts of images that caught their in betweens. 

Analog film played a grounding role in these Malibu engagement photos. I used medium format and 35mm to capture C&J together along with my trusty digital camera. I like to have ~a lot going on~ because it keeps me engaged and gives me so many interesting tools to reach for. Plus, I mean, film… there’s no real substitute!

Big huge thanks to the stars of this show. C&J brought the house down (I say as the audience of one) and I am already so excited to see them again for their Malibu wedding next spring with Klink Events!

Feeling inspired by these uncommonly cool Malibu engagement photos? More to see all over my blog including these Downtown LA engagement photos after dark.