Top 10 Engagement Photographers in San Diego

Is it worth having an engagement session? It’s a question that many couples ask in the lead-up to their special day. In our opinion, it’s a resounding “yes!” Not only is it an opportunity to come away with some gorgeous portraits celebrating your love but it can act as a practice session with your wedding photographer before the big day rolls around.

For couples living in San Diego, you’re lucky enough to have countless talented engagement photographers right on your doorstep. In this guide, we’ll introduce 10 of the best whose work particularly resonated with us.

Walter Wilson Studios, Inc

Born and raised in San Diego, Wally Wilson says that he would “never leave this beautiful city”. He established his wedding and engagement photography company around 10 years ago and has shot more than 400 couples since. It was during his time at photography school that he discovered the work of a local wedding photographer, Bil Zelman, and loved the edginess of his aesthetic. Since that time, Wally has developed his own photojournalistic style, with candid images that are combined with elegant portraits.

Brant Bender Photography

Brant Bender is a professionally trained photographer who focuses on documenting families, couples, and weddings in the San Diego area. He’s been telling stories through his lens for more than 15 years and has won several awards along the way. We particularly adore his use of the golden hour light to create images that are infused with romance. Clients love his warm, easy-going personality and the fun atmosphere he creates during engagement session shoots.

Fonyat Photographer

Julio is the artist behind Fonyat Photographer, a San Diego-based wedding and engagement photography company. Throughout his career, he’s been lucky enough to work with what he describes as “remarkable, impressionable couples”, as well as some of the top wedding professionals in the city. Julio predominantly uses natural light during his portrait sessions and prefers a natural aesthetic, without the use of digital filters. His style fuses photojournalism with modern portraiture to capture organic expressions and emotions.

Vanessa Hicks Photography

Vanessa Hicks established her photography business after coming to the realization that she didn’t love her own wedding images. She said that she selected her photographer based on price, going for quantity of quality, and has regretted the decision ever since. She wants to ensure that all of the couples she works with LOVE their wedding images, as well as creating gorgeous engagement photos in the lead-up to their special day. While predominantly based between San Diego and Hawaii, she also shoots in destinations across the United States and specializes in Disney weddings.

Holly Ireland Photography

Originally from Fountain Hills, Arizona, Holly Ireland worked on Broadway for 15 years before deciding to become a professional photographer. She draws on her extensive experience in the creative arts to take command and effectively direct engagement session shoots while using her warm and engaging personality to bring out the best in clients.

Now based in San Diego, she works alongside her husband, Bruce, who takes care of the sales and marketing side of the business, as well as working as her second shooter for large events.

Madeleine Barr Photography

Raised in New England, Maddie spent much of her youth in New Hampshire, Maine and Boston before she and her partner packed up their truck and made the move to San Diego. She says that she loves being so close to Disneyland AND being able to get good tacos just about anywhere in the city. As a photographer, she describes her mission as helping couples to “document intentional, epic experiences” and creating a space where they feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Chasing Daylight Photography

Kate from Chasing Daylight Photography has been a professional photographer for more than a decade, during which time she has documented hundreds of engagement sessions. She shoots with professional-level Canon bodies and lenses and captures all of her sessions on two memory cards, just to be on the safe side. With a solid 5-star rating on Yelp, it’s obvious that Kate’s clients absolutely love her work, as well as her punctuality and attention to all the tiniest details.

Heather Broomhall Photography

Specializing in family and engagement photography throughout San Diego and La Jolla, Heather Broomhall is one of the most in-demand portrait artists in San Diego. She studied at the renowned Central Saint Martins art college in London and says she has always had a “natural disposition towards creativity”. She strives to create fine art images that you will want to hang on your wall and treasure as heirlooms to be passed down through the generations.

Narrative Images Photography

Bernadette and Rick are the artists behind Narrative Images Photography and met in Ithaca as freshmen while working on the college paper. Around 15 years ago, they shot their first wedding together (on film) and haven’t looked back since.

Narrative Images Photography has since grown to include a team of talented photographers who document some of the most precious moments in couples’ lives. When she’s not working on her business, Bernadette teaches photography for local community arts organizations.

Allison Davis Photography

With strong roots in Dallas, Texas, Allison Davis now calls San Diego “home” where she specializes in wedding and engagement portraiture. She describes herself as “creative”, “thoughtful” and “someone who wants to celebrate every tiny victory”, as well as being a “believer in love”. Since moving to Southern California, she’s been lucky enough to work with some amazing couples and we think the authenticity of her photographic approach really shines through.

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