socal Engagement Photographer

Artistic photography for adventurous folk

From The deserts to the Coastline Southern California is an Incredible place for engagement sessions

You’ve taken that next big step in your love story and said, “Yes!”. Now it’s time to announce it to everyone! In this fast-paced world, where time seems to slip through our fingers, taking a moment to capture this special chapter of your life is more important than ever. An engagement session provides a unique opportunity to create beautiful, everlasting memories before you say "I do." These pictures will serve as a testament to your love and the foundation of your journey together. It's not just about taking pretty pictures; it's about capturing the essence of your relationship, showcasing the connection between two souls, and preserving these moments for future generations to cherish.

The beauty of an engagement session is not only capturing memories but building confidence in front of the lens for your wedding day and getting to know your wedding photographer. Being in front of a camera can be daunting for most people. An engagement session helps you get past those initial jitters, making you more comfortable with being photographed. Imagine feeling natural and at ease on your wedding day, knowing exactly how to pose and show your best self, thanks to the experience gained during your engagement session. By defying your camera shyness early on, you'll feel a surge of confidence, resulting in even more stunning and genuine wedding photos. All the while, you’re building a relationship with your wedding photographer. They will play a vital role in capturing the magical moments of your special day, and that task will be made easier when you’ve built a relationship with them. You want your photographer to understand your unique style and personality so they can capture your most meaningful moments with precision and artistry.

This is your story

Your engagement session can be tailored to represent your unique love story. Whether you choose to have it at a meaningful location, incorporate personal props, or showcase your shared hobbies, an engagement session allows you to add a personal touch to your wedding album. These photos will reflect your individuality as a couple and commemorate the passage from being engaged to becoming married. From the San Gabriel Mountains to the stunning coastline of La Jolla, Southern California is a wonderland of incredible landscapes perfect for adventurous engagement sessions. Why settle for the local park when you can choose someplace like Joshua Tree National Park or El Matador State Beach for your engagement photos instead?

What Sets me apart from other California Engagement photographers

I'm Norm Roberts the Fifth, wedding photographer, backpacker, cyclist and nature lover. Born and raised in sunny Southern California I’ve been perfecting the medium of light for well over a decade now. From the majestic Mt Baldy to the shores of Malibu I’ve seen it, camped it, hiked it, and probably shot an engagement there. All while having a blast and loving every minute of it.
With countless camping, hiking and backing trips across SoCal, I can safely say I can guide you to something a bit more exciting and scenic than the local park for your engagement photos. Whatever landscape you dream of we can find it here in SoCal. From snowy mountains, quiet forests, sea cliffs, and even lava flows, all are out there just waiting to be the backdrop of this next chapter of your love story.
You know the photo cliché "just act natural"? Well there’s a fair bit of truth to that. Acting natural does usually make for the best photographs. But with a camera in your face that’s easier said than done. But that’s my mission. To make your engagement session fun and stress free. Not only to get you great pictures but to make it an experience you’ll always remember. Nearly every couple you see on my website told me they were awkward in front of the camera. So if you feel the same way you’re in good hands.

Southern California Engagement Packages

An incredible adventure awaits

Engagement adventures are a fun filled experience unique to every couple. That means that you’ll want a photography package that is flexible enough to fit your vision. You also want a photographer who can provide the help and guidance you need to not only pick the best spot but also deal with any permits or logistics that may be necessary. You want the planning experience to be as stress-free and, dare I say, fun as possible. For all that and more, I’ve got you covered.

Planning guides, resources and years of experience

To start, my planning portal keeps all our messages, photo uploads, proposals, and information in one place. With 14 years of experience and hundreds of weddings, elopements, and engagements under my belt, I have the answer if you have a question. If not, I’m always excited to research something new! Phone and video consultations are always available, and if you’re in the Long Beach area, we can meet in person. I want you to leave the stress behind!

Unforgettable Photographs

All the awesome couples on my website are real weddings and engagements. No stylized model shoots here. I take pride in my ability to make your engagement session not only un-awkward but capture all the love, laughter, and smiles that make up your love story. Afterward, I painstakingly review each photo we made, removing duplicates, and then each photo gets fully and carefully edited until it is worthy of an art gallery.

No additional fees, travel costs, ever

The engagement package prices listed below are total costs. There are no additional travel expenses, editing costs, touch-up fees, or anything else.

Ultimate Flexibility

Have to change the location? Date? Both? No problem. As long as the change doesn’t conflict with another booking of mine, we adjust as needed. As stated above, there are never additional fees.

Private Gallery + keepsake USB drive + Print release

There are no limits to the number of photos I deliver, and every photo created is carefully edited to perfection and then uploaded to your private online engagement gallery. And that’s not for a limited time, but it is forever. With unlimited downloads, you never have to worry about losing your photos. Through your web gallery, you can order a wide range of prints from my favorite professional print lab. Do you already have a favorite printer? No problem! You can always print at your preferred photo lab to your heart's content, as personal printing rights to all images are included. And then, finally, all your photographs are delivered via USB drive.

Micro Session

$800

30 minute session

These short but sweet sessions are a great way for us to not only create some awesome photos but get to know one another. The clock begins when we start taking photos so if you want to hike out to the mountain peek for a killer view then have our photo op as the sun sets I’ll start lacing up my boots.

Adventure Session

$1200

One Hour Session

This is the most popular engagement session option couples go for. It gives us enough time to create a phenomenal series of photos without feeling rushed. Also gives us time for any activities you want to do during your session. So bring the tandem bike and your instruments, and set up a little picnic for just the two of you. Your engagement should reflect your lives together. It is best used around sunset for some killer golden-hour light.

Explorer session

$1600

Two Hour Session

There’s a lot to see and do in Southern California, so why not take advantage of it all? This two-hour engagement session is perfect for multiple locations, many activities, and epic adventures. So let’s hit the trails, then the beach, and create something incredible.

Loved working with me for your engagement photos?

Book me for your wedding and save!

After your engagement session, book your wedding, elopement or micro wedding with me and save $500 off your wedding package. It’s a great way to see how creating with me is and I love getting to know you before your wedding as it makes photographing you two on the big day so much better!

California Engagement session Guides

Where to begin your SoCal Engagement planning?

The biggest struggle in planning an engagement session in southern California is deciding where to do it. Do you love the mountains? Maybe the beach? Or go a little different route and stand among the sand dunes in the setting sun? There’s no shortage of options, and everything is nearby. Once that’s decided, next is when you should do your session. As a general rule an hour before sunset or after sunrise tend to be the optimum time. But it can vary depending on location and time of year. To help with all this I’ve listed some of my favorite places below!

A few of my favorite California Engagement destinations

MT San Jacinto

Want mountain top views but don’t want to spend the day hiking to the top? This is the one! Take the tram up from Palm Springs and in minutes go from the desert floor to the cool pine forests above.

Sequoia

Home to some of the largest trees anywhere in the world. Walk below these towering giants and celebrate your engagement. Plenty of incredible mountain views to see here as well!

Joshua tRee

Rolling landscapes of boulders and unique trees make up this incredible desert landscape. Some of the best sunrise and sunsets around as well as killer views of the stars for night photos!

Angeles Forest

Conveniently located near Los Angeles, this national forest has everything from wooded canyons with quiet streams and forest paths to mountain trails with stunning peaks.

Catalina Island

Want to feel like you’ve escaped to the Mediterranean? A quick ferry ride and you’ll be transported a world away. Walk the beaches, tour the gardens, and hike the trails at this gem of a location.

socal Engagement Photographer

Artistic photography for adventurous folk