There’s something extra special about photographing people you’ve known since your teenage years, especially when life somehow brings you all back together on the California coast. Amy, Nick, and I are all originally from Iowa, and we actually went to high school together! Their story started long before engagement photos were ever even a thought, which made this Laguna Beach session feel extra meaningful to capture. They still live in Iowa, but while visiting Southern California together, they knew they wanted beach engagement photos that felt relaxed, natural, and very go-with-the-flow.

Laguna Beach couldn’t have been a more perfect fit.

From Iowa to the California Coast

Amy and Nick’s story goes way back. They became close in high school, stayed connected over the years, and eventually found their way back to each other in 2019 while living in different cities. From there, everything just fell together in the most natural way.

After a few years of long distance, Amy moved back to Sioux City, blending their lives together and stepping into a partnership that feels steady, supportive, and deeply intentional.

Photographing couples with that kind of history always feels effortless. It shows up in the quiet moments, the laughter, and the way they naturally move together without trying.

Laguna Beach Engagement Photos | Orange County, California

Laguna Beach is one of my favorite Southern California locations for beach engagement photos, especially for couples who want something scenic but still relaxed and genuine. The layered cliffs, textured rocks, and little tucked-away coves add so much visual interest without feeling overly styled or posed.

One thing I always remind couples is that your engagement session is about so much more than just the photos. It’s about the experience of being photographed together. When you choose a location that excites you and give yourself permission to stay present, the images naturally reflect that energy.

That’s exactly what happened during Amy and Nick’s session. Their photos feel effortless because the experience was.

Letting the Session Unfold Naturally

For their session, we focused on creating space for genuine moments instead of forcing poses. That looked like:

• Moving naturally instead of holding stiff poses
• Exploring the coastline together
• Letting moments unfold instead of directing every frame
• Letting the wind and waves do their thing
• Laughing through the in-between moments
• Embracing whatever the evening gave us

The sun actually stayed hidden for most of the night and only peeked out for a tiny window, but honestly, that soft coastal light matched the laid-back energy they wanted perfectly.

Because they trusted the process, the session never felt rushed or overly structured. It felt more like spending an evening walking the beach together, which is exactly the kind of experience I love creating for my couples.

Southern California Engagement Photographer

If you’re planning a trip to Southern California or dreaming about beach engagement photos along the Orange County coast, I would love to help you create something that feels like you. Whether you’re traveling in from out of state or local to the area, your session should feel like an experience you get to enjoy together, not just a photoshoot.

Amy and Nick’s session is such a beautiful reminder that the best photos happen when you simply show up as yourselves and trust the moment.

If that sounds like your vibe, I’d love to start planning with you! Contact me to begin.

XO,

Karissa Ferrer

Beach Engagement Photos on Film

Check out this other documentary beach engagement session!