A Non-Traditional Engagement Session in Monterey That Told Their Whole Story
When Marc reached out about a surprise engagement session in Monterey, I had no idea it would turn into one of my favorite non-traditional engagement shoots to date.
Marc was referred to me by the incredibly talented LeeCe Stylz by Alicia Lau , a makeup artist I had worked with at Abra and Jisel’s wedding. (Vendor referrals are truly the best kind of referrals.)
He had already planned to propose that Thursday — but with a weekend trip to Monterey on the calendar, he made a last-minute decision to turn it into a surprise engagement session.
I am so glad he did!
Documentary-Style Engagement Photos in Monterey
Instead of golden hour at one scenic overlook, we did something completely different.
We created a moving engagement session — hopping between locations that actually meant something to them.
Fifteen to twenty minutes at each stop.
No stiff posing.
No marathon shoot in one place.
Just their old stomping grounds.
As a documentary photographer, this is my dream scenario. When you choose locations that hold history, the photos instantly feel more honest. More sentimental. More alive.
You can see it in the way they relaxed at each stop.
Engagement Photos at Crown & Anchor | Where It All Began
We started at Crown & Anchor, the bar where Marc asked her to be his girlfriend at the end of the night.
Was it glamorous? No.
Was it meaningful? Absolutely.
There’s something about photographing a couple where their story actually happened. It adds texture you can’t fake.
These photos felt playful — slightly chaotic in the best way — like elevated tourist snapshots mixed with real intimacy.
Exactly the vibe we were going for.
Cannery Row & Monterey Bay Aquarium | First Trip Energy
From there, we headed toward Monterey Bay Aquarium and walked along Cannery Row.
This was the first stop on their very first Monterey trip together.
We had some fun with cool signage and bold colors.
When engagement photos feel like an experience instead of a production, couples forget about the camera. And that’s when the magic happens.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary | Expectations vs Reality
One of the stops was the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.
They remembered it as wildly romantic.
In reality? It was more of a tree-lined path than a cinematic butterfly moment.
And honestly — I loved that.
Because even though the setting wasn’t exactly what they had built up in their memories, it gave us one of my favorite images of the entire session.
Soft light filtering through eucalyptus trees.
Quiet. Still. Connected.
Sometimes it’s not about the grandeur of a location. It’s about the way a couple shows up in it.
Why Non-Traditional Engagement Photos Just Work
Hopping from location to location kept the energy fresh.
Nothing felt stagnant.
Nothing felt over-posed.
We were documenting chapters of their relationship instead of manufacturing moments.
For couples looking for non-traditional engagement photos in Monterey, this approach is everything.
You don’t have to choose the prettiest place.
You choose the place that means something.
The result? Joy. Comfort. Sentimentality. Movement. Play.
As a Monterey documentary photographer, sessions like this remind me why I do what I do.
Thinking About a Non-Traditional Engagement Session?
If you’re dreaming of engagement photos that feel less like a styled shoot and more like your actual love story, let’s talk.
Whether that means bar hopping, revisiting your college campus, or turning your favorite weekend town into a moving photo story — I’m in.
I can’t wait for my next engagement session that doubles as a tour of my couple’s story.
