Couples Photos in Santa Barbara
Engagement, Proposal and Just Because
Santa Barbara Engagement Photos & Couples Photos
Recent Engagement, Proposal and Couples Photos
One of the favorite couples photographers in Santa Barbara
Professional couples photos for California engagements, anniversaries, and proposals or just because you have arrived in Santa Barbara.
There are lots of reasons to capture your memories with your beloved here in Santa Barbara–everything from because its so dang beautiful here to gender reveal parties, our dog is on its last legs, and 50 year anniversaries. Read some of my reviews and schedule your couples photoshoot today. Also see the case study of Allie and Max and their beach picnic elopement at Santa Claus Lane Beach.
Prices for couples photoshoots in Santa Barbara range widely depending on the experience and credentials of the photographer, ranging from $350 on the low end to close to $1500 on the high end for portrait artists recquring purchase of for high end print packages/collections.
My couples engagement or proposal session fee is $595 for a full hour. Half hours are also available for engaged couples or people who are celebrating a milestone and/or commemorating their time here in Santa Barbara. A full hour is required for actual surprise proposals because of their stealth and extended nature and all the preparatory back and forth as well as my coaching and early arrival to suss out the best location and also alert the proposer of the best spot and angle to do the deed on. The full proposal or engagement session includes well over 100 high resolution files to use as you like and plenty of assistance and variety in the session with all the warm afterglow feels afterward. The half hour includes approximately 50 high resolution images.
Feel free to reach out and email me with any questions as you plan your vacation or commemorate your excellent taste and sterling geokarma to live here together in Santa Barbara.
Couples Photos Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a couples photographer cost in Santa Barbara?
Prices for couples photoshoots in Santa Barbara range widely depending on the experience and credentials of the photographer, ranging from $350 on the low end to close to $1500 on the high end for portrait artists recquring purchase of for high end print packages/collections.
My couples engagement or proposal session fee is $595 for a full hour. Half hours are also available for engaged couples or people who are celebrating a milestone and/or commemorating their time here in Santa Barbara. A full hour is required for actual surprise proposals because of their stealth and extended nature and all the preparatory back and forth as well as my coaching and early arrival to suss out the best location and also alert the proposer of the best spot and angle to do the deed on. The full proposal or engagement session includes well over 100 high resolution files to use as you like and plenty of assistance and variety in the session with all the warm afterglow feels afterward. The half hour includes approximately 50 high resolution images.
Feel free to reach out and email me with any questions as you plan your vacation or commemorate your excellent taste and sterling geokarma to live here together in Santa Barbara.
Where are the best locations for couples photos in Santa Barbara?
The beach is generally the first location people think of here in Santa Barbara, but there are a few hazards to be aware of, not the least of which are the tides, the winds, the crowds, and sometimes the oily black tar that can accumulate in the sand and gather on the bottom of your feet. I have some quieter more sheltered and secluded beach photo locations I can clue you into that are tide agnostic.
Santa Barbara has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to backdrops for couples photos. My most-requested locations include Hendry’s Beach (Arroyo Burro Beach) for its wide sand, dramatic cliffs and dog-friendly side; the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens for lush greenery and Spanish Colonial architecture; and the Douglas Family Preserve in Montecito for a more wooded, natural feel. If you are staying or live in or near Montecito, the estates and private garden settings offer a quieter, more intimate alternative to the busier beach locations. The best location for your family depends on the look you’re after — whether that’s barefoot on the sand, surrounded by eucalyptus, or framed by the classic Santa Barbara cityscape. During our pre-session chat, I’ll talk through the options and choose the spot that fits your family’s personality and the time of year. For more urban vibes we have our funk zone and State Street then if you want to go nautical, we have a great seawall and marina/harbor with a breakwater and it is also fun to get out on a trolley and go up to the Mission in our Upper East neighborhood.
What should we wear for couples photos in Santa Barbara?
For couples I generally recommend long sleeves, pants, pastel colors in similar color tones are ideal. I am a fan of rolled up pants and bare feet at the beach and you will want to avoid stripes, saturated colors and large logos and text on clothing as it draws the eye.
The single most important rule is to coordinate colors and dressiness level without matching. Identical outfits tend to look stiff and dated in photos — instead, choose a color palette of two or three complementary tones and let each family member interpret it in their own way. For Santa Barbara outdoor sessions, earthy neutrals (cream, tan, sage, warm white, terracotta) photograph beautifully against the natural landscape and age well in prints. Avoid busy patterns, large logos, anything billowy and shiny or reflective. exposed shoulders and legs, and neon colours, which tend to distract the eye from faces.
Layers work well — a light jacket, a linen shirt, a simple dress — because they add visual interest without competing. For beach sessions, bare feet are always a good idea and linen or cotton fabrics move naturally in the breeze. I send every family a detailed style guide before their session with specific color palette suggestions, outfit examples, and advice on what to avoid. The goal is for your family to look like yourselves — just a polished, cohesive version of yourselves.
If you really want to take things next level you can come up with two complementary colors that contrast well with either a green/foliage background (like at a park or Montecito estate or backyard of an Airbnb) or a beige and light blue background like you generally encounter at the beach.
How long does a couples photoshoot take?
As mentioned in the pricing FAQ, I offer your choice of a 30 minute or 60 minute session depending on circumstance. For multiple locations and set ups we can add on extra time as needed.
What is the best time of year for couples photos in Santa Barbara?
Our Mediteranean climate makes almost any month workable — which is one of the genuine advantages of shooting here over most of the country. That said, the most popular times for proposals and engagement photo shoots are either Valentines Day and/or Christmas. Lots of couples traveling through California and/or Santa Barbara like to celebrate and commemorate their love here and that generally happens in summer. Whatever time of year you’re planning, the key is scheduling around golden hour — the 60 minutes before sunset or, if you are a morning type, shortly after sunrise — when golden California the light does most of the heavy lifting.