Paws, Pints, and LA | A Los Angeles Engagement Session

When we started planning J&J’s engagement session, their wishlist was pretty simple: keep it fun, keep it real, and make sure that their pup A was included! Nothing overly stiff or formal – just the two of them, doing the kinds of things they actually love, in a city that felt like theirs.

Throughout their relationship, the LA River was a place they’d visit for long walks and conversation, and it was something they wanted to incorporate into the story. After a little searching, we found a park near the riverbed that gave us some great variety for photo backdrops.

We started out near the park’s pavilion area to take advantage of the beautiful architecture and shade. Their pup, A, was decked out with the cutest bandana that said: “My Pawrents are getting married!”

Engaged couple poses for a picture with their beloved dog

Next, we worked our way along the bike path to capture a few shots by the riverbed. There are concrete banks, open sky, and a little bit of grittiness that feels authentically LA in a way that no manicured park ever could. It was a perfect contrast to the softness and greenery of the park.

Couple cuddles and shares a laugh while sitting along the LA river

Afterward, we walked back into the greenery of the park, where the morning light was filtering through the trees, warm and glowing. Their dog A, for the record, was being a complete professional the entire time. He showed up, looked adorable, and absolutely understood that he was the star of the show.

After a morning at the park, we made our way over to Highland Park Brewery in Chinatown for a leisurely lunch to close out the session. If the river shots felt like quintessential LA, this felt like quintessential them – relaxed, happy, and completely at ease with each other.

Couple shares a kiss over beers at Los Angeles brewery

Breweries make for surprisingly good engagement session locations. The lighting is usually a little more dynamic, there’s a natural casualness to the setting that brings out genuine expressions, and let’s be honest – after a morning of being photographed, sitting down for a cold beer and a bite to eat is a well-earned reward.

A quick note for couples considering using a business/brewery/restaurant: Incorporating a favorite local spot into your session is a wonderful idea, but it does require a little advance planning. Always reach out to the business ahead of time and get their permission before showing up to take photos. Even with permission, it’s important to remember that this is their place of business, and we want to be respectful of all staff and other patrons present – other people are there to enjoy their experience too, and being respectful goes a long way.

Highland Park Brewery was a wonderful host for the final stretch of our morning, and these two fit right in.

Engaged couple toast with their beers at Higland Park Brewery

The best engagement sessions aren’t the ones with the most perfectly picturesque location – they’re the ones that actually feel like the couple. A brewery and a walk along the river might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you envision engagement photos – but for this couple, it made perfect sense. It was them. And that’s what makes the photos so priceless.

If you’re newly engaged and thinking about planning your engagement session, let’s talk about what makes your relationship unique.

Reach out here to start planning.