Catalina Island Engagement Photos

Destination Engagement On Catalina Island

One of the best parts about being a wedding photographer in Southern California is photographing a ton of awesome places within driving distance. Catalina Island is one of those places. Don’t try to drive there though, your car will literally sink in the Pacific Ocean. Catalina Island is honestly one of my favorite places to visit. I’ve had the good fortune to go half a dozen times. When you’re there you totally feel like you’re in some foreign paradise, like the Greek Islands minus the hairy Greek dudes. I don’t want to oversell Catalina Island and Avalon. But if you’ve never visited, your soul will always be a little more empty and sad.

Brandon and Stephanie are two people very special to me and my family. They’re fond of Catalina Island too. That’s why when they decided to leave the freezing cold Chicago winter for a vacation, they chose Catalina Island. What Stephanie didn’t know is that Brandon went to Jared. He went to Jared. He liked it and was gonna put a ring on it, as my friend Beyonce would say. After the proposal, Brandon had another surprise: an impromptu engagement session.

We took some photos, knocked back some beers, took more photos, knocked back some more beers. Rode electric bikes around the city, knocked back more beers, then got on the boat where we, wait for it, took more photos and knocked back more beers. Below are the Catalina Island engagement photos from our time together in Avalon. Congrats Brandon and Stephanie on your engagement! We wish you both many, many years of happiness and pies.

Engagement Session Catalina Island

One of my favorite things about couples who shoot on Avalon is the destination feel in the gallery. Yes, Santa Catalina Island is technically part of Los Angeles County. But after the 50-minute boat ride, it truly feels like somewhere else entirely. The slow-paced lifestyle, gorgeous ocean views, and relaxed vibe all make you feel outside of Southern California. That’s why I always encourage couples who want unique, colorful save-the-date images to consider shooting here.

Best Photo Spots Catalina Island

Most boats to Catalina Island leave in the morning from Dana Point, San Pedro, or Long Beach. They head back between 4pm and 7:55pm, per the Catalina Express schedule. I always encourage my clients to arrive early to scout locations and leave as late as possible. That way we can use golden hour, the last hour of light before sunset. That gives you the softest, most flattering light for the session. My second piece of advice: book your session a little longer, so we have more time to explore the best photo spots the island has to offer. There are a lot of instagrammable places on Catalina Island, but here are my personal top 5 engagement spots.

5 Best Catalina Island Engagement Spots

Do You Need A Permit For Engagement Photos On Catalina?

This is something a lot of couples never think to ask. Let’s break it down using the actual current fees from the island’s own tourism authority.

What It Actually Costs

The City of Avalon requires a still photography permit for shoots within city limits, and it runs $132 a day. A business license is also required if your photographer runs it as a business, currently $134.75 for the year. These aren’t huge numbers in the grand scheme of things, but they’re real costs worth knowing before you book ferry tickets, not after.

It Depends On Where You’re Shooting

Here’s the part that trips people up. Catalina is 76 square miles total, but the City of Avalon itself only covers 2.7 of those square miles. Everything outside that, including much of the interior and spots like Wrigley Botanical Garden, belongs to either the Catalina Island Company or the Conservancy. Each runs its own separate permit process and fees. Conservancy permits can run considerably higher than the city’s rate, since they’re priced more for commercial film productions than a couple with a photographer. My honest advice: if you’re sticking to Avalon proper, budget for the standard still photography permit. If your dream shot is out in Conservancy land, reach out to Love Catalina’s film office directly first.

Catalina Island Photographer

I sincerely hope these photos have inspired you to consider your own engagement session on Santa Catalina Island. Honestly, it’s beautiful from Avalon to Two Harbors, and there’s no shortage of fun things to do if you want to make a weekend of it. So take a helicopter ride or the Catalina Express to Avalon and check out what the area has to offer. I can guarantee once you’ve checked out the view at Buena Vista Point or a cold cocktail at Descanso Beach Club, you’ll choose this destination too.