If you’re looking for some places to do an engagement or bridal shoot near Santa Clarita, CA, I’ve got you. As a Santa Clarita based wedding photographer, I’ve hopped around and made a list of my own favorite photoshoot spots. These range from spots in Santa Clarita itself to 30 min to an hour from the valley. Whether you’re looking for a beach photoshoot, a meadow, or urban vibes, these spots are perfect.
Quigley Canyon Open Space
This photoshoot spot has a few perfect features for photoshoots – bright open fields, and oak trees. Why are these perfect? If you’re looking for shade during brighter hours of the day, your photos will be evenly lit under the oak trees. If you’re looking for golden, backlit photos for sunset, the field in the middle of this open space is perfect.
Quigley Canyon is tucked in the residential area of Placerita Canyon, so it is hidden from the main roads. Usually I only see a few hikers or walkers on the trails, so it’s perfect for avoiding a ton of people.
Golden Valley Oak Open Space
Golden Valley Oak has rolling hills that are green meadows after winter rains, and golden in the fall. I love this spot for climbing up on the hills and getting the sun before it hides behind the LA Mountains. There aren’t really trees here, so if you want open field vibes, it’s the spot for you. Golden Valley Oak Open Space is a perfect spot for engagement photos in Santa Clarita. I’ve also done a senior photoshoot here for local Santa Clarita high school student.
Vasquez Rocks
A popular spot for photoshoots and films, but you don’t only have to use the main rock formations for your backdrop. Vasquez Rocks also has hiking trails and local vegetation that make for really dreamy photos at golden hour, or you can go film vibes and do some direct light shots on the rocks facing the sun. Either way, Vasquez is 20 minutes max from Santa Clarita, and it’s a perfect spot for desert photoshoots (engagements, maternity, wedding, senior photos, I’ve done so much here).
Palmdale
A popular spot for photoshoots and films, but you don’t only have to use the main rock formations for your backdrop. Vasquez Rocks also has hiking trails and local vegetation that make for really dreamy photos at golden hour, or you can go film vibes and do some direct light shots on the rocks facing the sun. Either way, Vasquez is 20 minutes max from Santa Clarita, and it’s a perfect spot for desert photoshoots (engagements, maternity, wedding, senior photos, I’ve done so much here).
Malibu
I love a beach photo session with my engaged couples. Malibu is just about an hour from Santa Clarita, and even closer if you’re coming from the San Fernando Valley. Malibu has plenty of spots to shoot, but one of my favorites for engagement photos is Point Dume State Beach. You can shoot on the beach itself or go up the trails to get cliffs overlooking the ocean for your photoshoot spot. I love doing both with my wedding couples. This spot is so perfect, I’ve had couples from Irvine, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Santa Clarita, and Los Angeles opt to do their engagement sessions Malibu.
You don’t have to stray too far from Santa Clarita to get some amazing engagement or wedding photos. These spots are close to Los Angeles, and provide a really nice variety of options for your photoshoot. As a local Santa Clarita photographer, you’ll find me at these photo spots often.
