San Francisco Engagement Photographer
We'll shoot the San Francisco spots you two actually love.
BOOK YOUR SHOOT
I've shot engagements all over San Francisco long enough to know where the light works best: Baker Beach with the Bridge behind you, the Presidio's tree line, Lands End's cliffs, or wherever in the city actually feels like you two. I know which staircase in Golden Gate Heights nobody photographs, which overlook clears fog an hour before the famous one does, and which Tuesday afternoons have Twin Peaks completely empty. I'll guide you and set up shots when it helps, but my goal is always to make you feel completely at ease so your truest self comes through.
"From the very beginning, he was a dream to work with. He went above and beyond to accommodate our impossible schedules. Prepared, calm, and totally patient, he made the whole experience genuinely fun."
Not many cities give you this much range in one afternoon: beach, skyline, coastline, and neighborhood streets, all without leaving city limits. One session here rarely looks like it was shot in just one place. And the difference between a good SF session and a great one usually comes down to timing and knowing where the crowds aren't, not just knowing the landmarks.
Locals only
- Tank Hill. Same skyline view as Twin Peaks, none of the tour buses, and you can usually park right next to it.
- 16th Avenue Tiled Steps. A mosaic staircase in Golden Gate Heights most visitors never find. Great color, great texture, almost never crowded.
- The Wave Organ. A quiet jetty out past the Marina with the whole bay behind you. Best light is late afternoon.
- China Beach. Same Golden Gate Bridge backdrop as Baker Beach, a fraction of the people.
- Presidio Tunnel Tops. Newer park, wide open bridge views, still flies under the radar.
- Ina Coolbrith Park. A hidden Russian Hill overlook with a full skyline view and almost no foot traffic.
Iconic
- Golden Gate Bridge: Baker Beach, Battery Spencer, Fort Point, or Marshall's Beach
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Painted Ladies / Alamo Square
- Lombard Street
- Coit Tower & the Filbert Steps
Coastal
- Lands End & the Eagle's Point trail
- Sutro Baths
- Ocean Beach
- Fort Funston
- Crissy Field, with the Bridge in the distance
Parks & gardens
- Golden Gate Park: Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden
- Presidio: main post or Inspiration Point
- Dolores Park
- Twin Peaks, best right before sunset
City & architecture
- SF City Hall
- Grace Cathedral, Nob Hill
- North Beach: Washington Square Park and the surrounding streets
- Ferry Building & the Embarcadero
- Chinatown's Waverly Place
- Clarion Alley or Balmy Alley in the Mission, for color and murals
Your own spot
Where you live, your favorite bar, a specific bench, the corner where you have a running joke. Engagement and proposal sessions aren't about returning to one event location, they're about the parts of the city you two already love. That's usually where the best photo in the gallery comes from.
Shooting something else in the city? San Francisco weddings, proposals, and family sessions.
- Preview Gallery
- in 24 hours
- Final Gallery
- in 1 week
- Revisions
- Unlimited
- Edits
- No cap. No upcharge.
- Every Image
- Color + B&W
How much does a San Francisco engagement session cost?
Every session is quoted based on what you're envisioning, so I don't publish flat rates. Send an inquiry and I'll get you a real number fast.
What's the best time of year for engagement photos in San Francisco?
Year-round works. Late summer through fall usually has the clearest skies. Spring and winter can still deliver great moody, foggy shots if that's more your style.
Do we need a permit for Golden Gate Bridge or Presidio photos?
It depends on the exact spot, group size, and what you're bringing. and I'll give you a straight answer for your specific location.
Can we shoot somewhere outside San Francisco?
Yes, at no extra cost. Marin Headlands, Napa, and the Peninsula are all common choices.
Have another question? and I'll answer directly.