Magical hidden gem locations in San Diego for engagement photos!

San Diego is a photographers dream. It’s totally known for it’s amazing range of ecosystems and nature, beach and mountains in the same day!

While a beautiful location is always nice, light and time of day are far more important than location. As long as we have the right light, we could take photos at the dump and I promise you would love them. Light and your connection as a couple are the real magic to engagement photos, so don’t stress about location!

That being said, here are some of my favorite hidden gem spots for engagement photos around San Diego!

Engagement, TipsMadeline BarrJune 9, 2020batch 3, lgbtq wedding photographerComment

Boston River Elopement & Reception at Warehouse XI. Somerville, MA | Lauren & Matt

Lauren and Matt kicked off the reception the next day at Warehouse XI with a grand entrance and their first dance. While they skipped many of the “wedding traditions” this really helped connect the two events and kick started the party. The night was relaxed and pretty much a huge party! There were donuts from Union Square Donuts and North East of the Border pulled up right side the door to feed guests all night.

ElopementMadeline BarrMay 28, 2020batch 3, Boston ElopementComment

Kenmore Square Wedding at the Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, MA | Flavia & Ben

Flavia and Ben are both members of the Museum of Fine Arts. Since they visit together often, they thought it would be fun to take wedding photos there! This is 100% something you need to contact the museum before doing. Because of copyright laws and such, most of the museum does not allow any type of photos.

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Arnold Arboretum Elopement and a rad black wedding dress! Boston, MA | Alison & John

! Alison was a PERFECT 1940’s pin up bride in her Fame and Partners Dress and proved a black wedding dress can be elegant and bridal! Also, WEDDING DRESS CAPES ARE ALWAYS A YES!

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The best locations in San Diego to elope and have a micro-wedding!

San Diego is basically heaven. It’s hard to find an ugly spot here and I thank my lucky stars every freaking day that I get to live here. Our beaches are pristine and sunsets never disappoint. Desert and mountains are all with in an hour and there are just so many options when looking for a special space to commit to your boo. This makes it the perfect place to Elope! While things are unpredictable and not normal at the moment, eloping is such a great option for those who need to postpone their weddding. You can find more info on getting a marriage license in San Diego HERE! As an elopement photographer, I’ve been able to go to many incredible, private and easy to elope at locations. Here are some of my faves!

Elopement, TipsMadeline BarrMay 18, 2020Madeline Barr Photosan diego elopement photographer, san diego elopement, southern california elopement, san diego micro wedding, where to elope in san diego, batch 1, lgbtq wedding photographerComment

North Park Engagement Shoot and tips for including your dog in your photos! San Diego, Ca | Devin and Zach

Having pups in photos is always the best and I always get excited when clients want to include them! Having nice photos with your pets is important! They are totally family and I always encourage my clients to include them when having their photos taken. Want photos with your dog ?! Here are some helpful tips for photoshoots with your pups!

Engagement, TipsMadeline BarrMay 17, 2020north park san diego engagement photos with dogs, engagement photos with pets, san diego pet photographer, batch 1Comment

Winter Wedding at Olio. Peabody, MA | Laura & Jennifer

We made the quick trip to Peabody and arrived to Olio to get Laura and Jen married! In the gorgeous window light, the brides committed to each other and a life full of love and animals. Not a dry eye in the room, you could feel the love, support and pride pouring right out of everyone there.

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Strawbery Banke Engagement Session. Portsmouth, NH | Grace & Dustin

If you grew up in Southern New Hampshire/Maine, you definitely have been on a field trip to Strawbery Banke. It’s obviously been a long time since I’ve visted and only gotten cuter, so I was thrilled when Grace and Dustin suggested we do their engagement photos there!

Fun Valentines wedding at BRICK Liberty Station. San Diego, CA | Jenny and Maynard

Love is the best, so OBVIOUSLY a Valentine’s Day Wedding is going to be the best! Jenny and Maynard threw a killer party and celebrated the heck out of love!

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Santa Barbara Funk Zone Engagement Sesh | Maxine and Kruze

A perfect day in Santa Barbara! We started at Maxine and Kruze’s apartment so we could get some photos with their pups! Afterwards, we explored around the Funk Zone and watched the sunet on the beach

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Coronado Engagement Sesh | Lacey and Devin

Because of this, we used their engagement shoot to hang out at their venue and get an idea of where we would want to head the day of for portraits. It was a totally perfect evening and we are now prepared to get the wedding photos done quickly so they can get to the party!

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Intimate Wedding at Herb and Wood, San Diego, CA | Marcail and Luis

Marcail and Luis had an intimate brunch wedding on New Years Eve! They had small ceremony in Balboa Park and then headed to Herb and Wood for a reception with incredible food and fun Mexico inspired details!