There’s truly nothing I love more than getting to spend an evening exploring two of my FAVORITE places on Earth alongside two incredible, beautiful humans—and that’s exactly what I got to do for Ema + Tyler’s Redwoods engagement session. Y’all, this session was a freaking dream come true. I’ve done a ton of shoots and elopements in this area of southern Oregon + northern California, but I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten this perfect of lighting and weather. Your jaw is going to be on the floorrrr when you see the way the sunshine came through for us, both in the Redwoods and on the coast, at Secret Beach! Get ready to feel so dang inspired and in awe at these two and the amazing evening we had together!

Ema + Tyler’s Redwoods Engagement Session

The wild story that led to this session

Would you believe me if I told you that I wasn’t even supposed to photograph this session up until the day before it happened?! Ema and Tyler responded to a model call for a quick shoot I needed to do for a Basecamp course, we probably hung out for like 45 minutes and it was so fun. Instant friendship vibes! During our time together, they told me that they were engaged, and had a shoot scheduled for their photos in the Redwoods only 2 days later—and the next week, they were moving back home! So it was all just happening SO fast.

Fast forward 24 hours. . . Ema texts me that their photographer had some flight delays and couldn’t make it to their engagement shoot! Literally everyone’s worst nightmare with travel sessions. So she asked me if I was down for the adventure! I rescheduled a shoot I had for a few days later, and was on my way down to see them the next day!

I still cannot even believe how quick it all happened, but it truly was meant to be that I got to meet this couple + photograph their love not just once, but twice in the span of just a few days! They are truly the sweetest couple, with the most amazing best friend energy! I loved that a lot of the photos I got to capture for them, were just in the moment kind of vibes, while others were me freaking out over the light and posing them more specifically to capture it all correctly! I think the mix of the “unposed” + posed is so fun and really captured the experience and their love for each other so well! ⁣

A dreamy afternoon engagement in the northern California Redwoods

We started the afternoon exploring the Redwoods, aka one of my all-time favorite spots for engagement photos. There’s just nothing like seeing two people in love strolling through the forest of towering trees, beneath the lush canopy as the sunlight streams through the branches. And we literally had the dreamiest light we could’ve asked for, we timed it perfectly in the late afternoon to get sun that was just glowing through the trees in the most magical way! The shadows reflected onto the paths as Ema + Tyler walked through them were sooo fun to play around with. I feel like I barely had to do anything for this session, y’all; the light was perfect, the scenery was perfect, and Ema + Tyler were perfect. They were total naturals in front of the camera (especially since we’d already shot together just a couple of days earlier + gotten comfortable with each other), snuggling and kissing and cuddling among the trees like it was something they did every day. I loooved the white dress Ema wore for the shoot, it was so flowy and brought all the free-spirited, boho vibes, and coordinated so seamlessly with Tyler’s sage green button-down!

If you’re falling in love with the Redwoods like I have, check out my guide to How to Elope in the Redwoods—it’s truly such an incredible place to start your married life together.

Magical golden hour engagement photos at Secret Beach

As the sun started to set lower into the sky, we headed north to Secret Beach, which is literally my favorite spot in the PNW. It’s this wildly picturesque beach in Brookings, Oregon, way down on the southern tip of the coast, tucked on the northern end of Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor. The trail to get there is 1.8 miles out and back with just a little bit of elevation gain, and it’s worth every freaking steep step for the multiple viewpoints it offers + the absolutely insane beach you get to explore! It’s the epitome of the rugged Oregon Coast, with giant spruce trees lining the shores, massive natural stone bridges, towering sea stacks, jagged cliffs, and so many little coves to check out. 

I’ll never get over all the magic you can create here, especially in the evening with such a spectacular golden hour + sunset like I got with Ema + Tyler. Seeing these two run around the beach hand-in-hand, dancing in the sand, jumping away from the waves, climbing up the rocks, and feeling the glow of the setting sun on their faces was pure bliss. Just look at the way the sun lit up their faces, their smiles, and their laughs! The freaking sweetest!

At the end of the night we lucked out with the most gorgeous blue hour, the sky painted in soft pinks, purples, oranges, and blues, absolutely stunning over the turquoise waters of the ocean. Golden hour is amazing, but blue hour is sooo underrated; the soft, cool colors of the sky as the sun leaves the horizon are so flattering on skin tones and make landscapes look so hazy + dreamy!

Why I love the Redwoods + the Southern Oregon Coast for engagements

When I tell y’all I’m fully obsessed with the southern Oregon Coast and all the magic it has to offer, THIS IS WHAT I MEAN. In one evening you can go from being deep in the redwoods of northern California to exploring the rugged coastline of Oregon, surrounded by breathtaking ocean views, giant cliffs, and sea stacks galore. When you book me, you’ll get a whole 10+ page guide of locations all across the northern + southern Oregon Coast to help you decide which spot works best for you!! All of these locations range from no hike to a longer hike, dog friendly + ADA accessible spots, and my favorite way to decipher picking the right spot for you + choosing what vibe fits your dream shoot best! If you want to get a head start on that before you book, I def recommend heading over to my guide to the Top 20+ Places to Elope in Oregon, where you’ll find an in-depth list of all my fave spots in the state.

Redwoods Engagement Photographer

Whether you and your babe are envisioning a whimsical engagement session in the Redwoods, a romantic stroll along Secret Beach at sunset, or a combination of both, I’d be so honored to capture it for you! Check out my Redwoods engagement packages + pricing, and inquire here when you’re ready to create some art together. Can’t freaking wait to hear about everything you’re dreaming up!

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For more Redwoods + southern Oregon Coast inspo, check out the elopements below!

Fall Redwoods Wedding | Abby + Gil’s Unique Forest Elopement

Private Sunset Elopement Ceremony in Brookings, Oregon

Dreamy Horseback Riding Elopement in the Redwoods