7 Dreamy Spring Engagement Photoshoot Locations Near Malibu
Spring in Southern California. There’s truly nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world!
It’s the perfect backdrop for couples looking to have a fun, beautiful, and memorable way of preserving their love. If you’re planning a Spring Engagement Photoshoot near Malibu, I have the perfect guide for you!
From the deserts to the mountains, and even to the beaches, Southern California’s landscape explodes into a floral wonderland during March, April, and May.
Here are seven stunning locations that will make your Spring Engagement Photoshoot truly unforgettable.
Table of Contents
7 Dreamy Spring Photoshoot Locations
7 Dreamy Spring Photoshoot Locations
1. Underwood Family Farms - Tulips
Underwood Family Farms is one of the first locations to bloom in the spring! They started planting Tulips back in 2023 and the field has grown exponentially over the years. It’s such a perfect place for romantic Engagement photos.
Underwood Family Farms offers rows of vibrant tulips from February 21st to March 21st. This working farm creates a playful, rustic setting where you can capture candid moments picking flowers or walking hand-in-hand down colorful rows.
Here are some more ideas for a Tulip Photoshoot.
Address: 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021
Website: www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com
Bloom: February 21st 2025 - March 21st 2025
2. South Coast Botanical Gardens - Cherry Blossoms
This gorgeous botanical garden comes to life in March! The delicate pink blooms of the cherry trees create a dreamy, stunning backdrop, perfect for showcasing your love story.
Beyond the cherry trees, this 87-acre garden features over 2,500 different plant species, from Mediterranean gardens to rose collections, allowing for diverse settings within one location.
The manicured pathways and garden structures offer elegant framing opportunities for your engagement photos.
Here are some tips to enhance your Cherry Blossom experience!
Address: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Website: southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Bloom: Early to mid March
3. Point Dume Bluffs - Wildflowers
The Malibu coastline explodes with color during the early spring months, and one of the best places to view the blooms is Point Dume Bluffs.
This local gem offers the perfect combination - golden wildflowers in the foreground with the vast Pacific Ocean in the distance.
The panoramic ocean views and dramatic cliffs provide variety in your images, from intimate closeups among the flowers to sweeping landscapes highlighting the coastline.
The best lighting is either going to be early morning or about 90 minutes before sunset.
Address: Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265
Website: www.parks.ca.gov
Bloom: Mid March through April
4. Santa Barbara Botanical Garden - California Poppies
While this is a bit of a drive from Malibu, it is SO worth it!!
Santa Barbara Botanical Garden showcases California’s native plants in their spring glory (particularly the iconic California Poppy).
The garden's focus on native landscapes creates authentic California backdrops, from redwood groves to meadows of golden poppies. The natural stone pathways, rustic bridges, and mountain views add dimension to your photos, creating a collection that captures both intimate moments and the grandeur of California's landscapes.
Address: 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Website: sbbotanicgarden.org
Bloom: March through April
5. Potrero Road Blossom Park - Redbud Trees
This hidden gem shines from late March through early April when its red bud trees burst into vibrant pink blossoms.
The manicured landscape creates the most beautiful background for your engagement session! From close-up shots beneath flowering branches to wider scenes capturing you and your partner among the spring landscape.
The park's less crowded atmosphere allows for intimate moments without interruption.
And, it’s also super close to another location that has small patches of wild poppies and sky lupine. Not to mention it has stunning sunset views!
Address: 3605 Erinlea Ave, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
Website: www.crpd.org
Bloom: Late March to Early April
6. Charmlee Wilderness Park - Wildflowers
This location is perfect for the adventurous couple who doesn’t mind taking a hike through the wildflowers!
Charmlee Wilderness Park showcases an impressive wildflower display from April through May.
This 590-acre park features hiking trails winding through meadows of purple lupine and yellow mustard while the distant ocean views create a romantic atmosphere.
The diversity of the landscape allows for both whimsical, flower-filled shots and more dramatic portraits against the Santa Monica Mountains.
Address: 2577 Encinal Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
Website: www.malibucity.org
Bloom: April through May
7. Exposition Park Rose Garden - Roses
For spring and summer engagements, the rose garden at Exposition Park delivers classical romance with over 7,500 rose bushes.
The meticulously maintained garden with its gazebos and fountains offers a more formal setting for couples seeking traditional elegance in their engagement photos.
The variety of rose colors, and other architectural elements, allows for stunning compositions that are sure to wow family and friends!
Address: 701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Website: www.laparks.org
Bloom: April through November
Tips for your Spring Engagement Photoshoot
Planning your Photoshoot
When to Book your Photoshoot?
There are many things to consider when booking your engagement photoshoot in the Spring!
If you want to use these images for save the dates, consider booking your Spring Engagement Photoshoot at least 10 months out from your wedding date! That way your photographer can take and edit the photos, and you can get the save the date cards printed and sent out well in advanced!
Which blooms do you love? Once you figure out when you’d like to do your session, it’s important to think about which flowers are blooming during that time and which location you’d like to choose!
Have a solid backup plan: Spring in Southern California can bring unexpected weather changes. Discuss with your photographer alternative dates and locations just in case there’s ran, wind, or your desired blooms aren’t in season.
Styling & Preparation
Choose complementary (not matching) outfits: Select colors that harmonize with the landscape but don't compete with it. Soft pastels and neutrals work beautifully against vibrant spring blooms.
Bring multiple outfit options: Pack 1-2 different looks ranging from casual to formal to create variety in your photos. Include accessories like hats, scarves, or statement jewelry that can quickly transform a look.
I recommend no more than 2 outfits per hour of photography. Otherwise your session time is eaten up by changing your clothes.
Prepare personal props: Bring meaningful items that tell your story—perhaps the bottle of wine from your first date, a blanket for picnic poses, or vintage books if you're both readers.
Plan your beauty timeline: Schedule hair and makeup trials well before your session date. Book professional services for the day of or allow extra time if doing it yourself. Men should plan fresh haircuts 1-2 weeks before (not the day before).
Pack an emergency kit: Include blotting papers, lipstick for touch-ups, hairspray, bobby pins, stain remover, and a small sewing kit for last-minute fixes.
During the Session
Arrive early to settle in: Give yourselves 15 to 30 minutes to decompress before shooting begins. This allows you to get comfortable in the environment and shake off pre-photo jitters.
Embrace natural movement: Rather than focusing on "perfect" poses, engage in natural interactions—walk together, whisper secrets, dance slowly. These moments often create the most cherished images.
Master the "in-between" moments: The seconds after a posed shot—when you both relax or laugh—often capture your authentic connection.
Use timing to your advantage: Schedule your session during "golden hour" (1-2 hours before sunset) when the light is soft and flattering. For certain locations, early morning sessions offer both beautiful light and fewer crowds.
Stay present with each other: The most beautiful photos happen when you're genuinely connecting with your partner, not just posing for the camera. Take moments throughout the session to breathe, make eye contact, and remember why you're celebrating.
Your engagement photos are more than just beautiful images—they're the first official chapter in your shared story as a couple preparing to commit to forever. A Spring Engagement Photoshoot near Malibu captures this unique moment in time when your relationship is blossoming just as nature blooms around you.
These images will serve many purposes in your life together. In the short term, they'll enhance your wedding website, save-the-dates, and reception displays. In the years to come, they'll hang in your first home together, perhaps be included in anniversary celebrations, and eventually become treasured heirlooms that tell the story of where your family began.
Interested in an Engagement Session?
About Megan W Photography
Megan is a Fine Art Maternity, Couples, and Family photographer who was born, raised, and is still living in Malibu, CA. She is here to capture you and your loved ones in images that you will want to cherish, and pass down to future generations.
Not only is she a photographer, but she is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister.
Maternity, family, and couples hold a special place in her heart because she knows how quickly time flies by. Megan W Photography wants to help you preserve those sweet little smiles, those tender, affectionate moments, and the love you share with each other.
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Hi! I’m Megan
I’m a boutique, Malibu, CA based photographer who specializes in Maternity, Couples, and families. I serve Los Angeles and Ventura County, as well as all of California. I value tangible, heirloom art pieces versus digital and I focus on quality over quantity.
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