The San Francisco Bay Area is filled with beautiful photo-worthy locations, but Rodeo Beach might be one of my favorites! I love the variety that I can offer to my clients in just one location, though it definitely takes a bit of hiking. Usually the exercise is welcome because Rodeo Beach can also be extremely chilly, even in the middle of June. Funnily enough, this session was in mid-November and it was the warmest it’s ever been for me. We had to do a bit of scrambling to get up the hill, but it gave us such a breathtaking view of the beach below, that it was definitely worth it! The session ended on the beach with the most incredible dreamy golden light and the sweetest pup, so it’s no surprise I’m excited to share these Rodeo Beach engagement photos with you!

I love when my couples bring their dogs along for their sessions, but I always strongly recommend bringing a friend along to keep the dog company while we are getting couple-only photos! It can also be super helpful for getting the dog to pay attention, as the friend can call the dog’s name or hold a treat to get them to look at the camera. Luckily, K and C brought their friend with them and their sweet pup A was so incredibly well behaved!

I’ve photographed many sessions at Rodeo Beach now so I usually know exactly where I want to go. This time, I decided to do a bit of exploring since I knew K and C both love hiking. We had to scramble, but we did get a gorgeous view out of it and also got away from the crowds a bit! It was such an unseasonably warm day in November that there were tons of people enjoying the beach!

If you liked the photos from this Rodeo Beach engagement session, you might also like this lovely Silicon Valley engagement session or these self portraits in Umbria.