Katie & Edward
Beach Engagement Session
in Malibu, California
The morning of Katie and Ed's Malibu engagement session, we weren't sure we were going to make it. Rain earlier in the day had us all refreshing weather apps and crossing our fingers. But Malibu had other plans.
By the time we hit the trails, the sky had cleared and the hills were doing that thing they only do after a good rain, with beautiful rich greens and golds where the light caught the dry grass, almost too pretty to be real. We worked our way up along the bluffs with the coastline stretching out behind us, and yeah, we definitely got our steps in.
We finished the session down on the beach, and the sky completely delivered. Cotton candy pinks and purples stretched across the horizon right as golden hour hit, the kind of sunset that makes you feel like you planned it all along. We did not plan it. We just got lucky.
Katie and Ed were great sports through the whole adventure, and it showed.
Congratulations Katie and Ed!
Beach Engagement Session in Malibu, California
AMalibu has some of the best engagement session locations in Southern California, and this stretch of coastline is hard to beat. Whether you're drawn to the dramatic bluffs and trails of Point Dume, the wide open sands of Zuma Beach, the rugged tide pools at Matador Beach, or the secluded coves up at Leo Carrillo State Park, every spot brings something different to the table. If you're planning a Malibu beach engagement session and want photos that actually look like Malibu, let's talk.
What to Know About Beach Engagement Sessions in Malibu
Malibu beach engagement sessions are beautiful, but there are a few things worth knowing before you show up in your best outfit.
The weather is unpredictable. As Katie and Ed can tell you, you might be refreshing weather apps until the last minute. That's not always a bad thing. Overcast skies diffuse the light beautifully, and a little rain earlier in the day can turn the hills an unreal shade of green. Build in some flexibility if you can.
Avoid direct midday sun. Shooting on a beach in the middle of the day sounds idyllic but the light is harsh, flat, and unflattering. It creates hard shadows under the eyes and tends to make everyone squint. It also just looks like a snapshot rather than an engagement photo. Overcast days are actually a hidden gem for this reason.
Timing your session matters more than you think. Late afternoon gives you the best of everything: soft, warm light as the sun drops toward the horizon, fewer people on the beach, and a real chance at a sunset if the sky cooperates. Earlier in the day can work well too, especially at spots like Matador Beach before the parking lot fills up, but midday is generally worth avoiding.
Golden hour is non-negotiable. The light in Malibu about an hour before sunset is genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else. If you're shooting on the beach, that's when the magic happens. Plan your session to end there.
Wear shoes you can actually walk in. A lot of the best spots around Point Dume and the bluffs involve actual trails. Heels on a dirt path are nobody's friend. Bring a pair to change into for the beach if you want them in the photos.
Parking and access vary by beach. Matador Beach has a small lot that fills up fast. Zuma is more accessible. Leo Carrillo is worth the extra drive if you want fewer people in the background. It's worth a quick conversation with your photographer before you lock in a location.
Permits are sometimes required. Certain Malibu beaches and state parks require a photography permit. A local photographer will know what's needed and handle it ahead of time so you don't have to think about it.