What’s sweeter and more personal than planning your engagement session on your own turf? Take it from Georgia and Harrison who mapped out their pre-wedding photoshoot around their favorite San Francisco spots. Starting with a cozy in-home session, followed by a stroll downtown for some drinks and shopping at the iconic Bi-Rite Market. And of course, no San Francisco experience would be complete without soaking in the breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Designing your engagement photoshoot around meaningful locations is the best way to capture the realness of your relationship. Plus, it helps you feel more at ease and enjoy the experience in a familiar setting.

Keep reading for a peek into Georgia and Harrison’s candid San Francisco engagement session, plus tips for planning your own unique Bay Area couples photoshoot.

Location 1: At Home in Hayes Valley 

We began the session in Hayes Valley, capturing Georgia and Harrison in the cozy familiarity of their home in San Francisco. Snuggled on the couch with a glass of wine, it set the tone for a laid-back evening capturing their love. In-home sessions like this create a relaxed vibe, allowing you and your partner to be your true selves, resulting in photos that are genuine and hold deep sentimental value. See more inspiration from this fun at-home session in New York!

Motion blur artistic engagement photo in downtown San Francisco.

Location 2: Drinks at Fool’s Errand

After leaving their home, we took a stroll downtown to their favorite date night hangout, Fool’s Errand, for a casual beer and some candids at the bar. I always suggest incorporating a stop at your favorite restaurant or brewery during your shoot, whether it’s for pizza, burgers, or drinks like this diner engagement session! It’s a fun way to highlight a special location and capture you both in your element.

Fool's Errand, San Francisco wine and cocktail bar neon sign.

Location 3: Shopping at Bi-Rite Market

Next, we headed to one of the city’s cherished culinary gems, Bi-Rite – a quintessential feature of San Francisco lifestyle. Carrying everything from gourmet cheeses to organic produce and fine wines, Bi-Rite Market is a true icon of city, making it an ideal location to capture Georgia and Harrison’s San Francisco lifestyle engagement photos.

Non traditional grocery store engagement session in San Francisco at Bi-Rite Market.

Location 4: Scenic Views at Marin Headlands

Finally, we hopped in the car for a scenic drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. This popular San Francisco spot, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the city skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a hotspot for romantic San Francisco engagement sessions capturing the unique charm of Northern California. 

Couple driving across the Golden Gate Bridge during their cinematic San Francisco engagement session.

As you’ve seen with Georgia and Harrison’s San Francisco photoshoot, planning your engagement session around places that truly mean something to you adds an extra layer of personality to your photos. Whether it’s the cozy comforts of home, your favorite local hangouts or a scenic overlook, don’t be afraid to make it your own.

Planning a San Francisco engagement session or wedding?

Let’s get acquainted! As a San Francisco wedding photographer specializing in cinematic, documentary-style photography with experience shooting over 200 weddings, I’m here to help you capture your special moments in the most authentic and memorable way possible. 

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My approach? It’s all about capturing the raw, unfiltered joy and those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. I believe in photography that tells a story - your story - with all its unique quirks, laughter, and, of course, love.

I’m talking about the tearful smiles, the spontaneous dances, and the silent glances that speak volumes. My style is a blend of candid documentary and artistic flair, ensuring each photo feels as real and vibrant as the moment it captures. I don't just take pictures; you don't just want your picture taken, you want your memories preserved.

Welcome to the party! I’m Katherine Marchand.

meanwhile, on the dance floor...

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