Stunning Engagement Photos at Saratoga Springs Venue in California | Kat & Jose
In this blog post:
Saratoga Springs Engagement Session
Choosing Saratoga Springs for Your Engagement Photos
Tips for Planning Your Engagement Photo Session
Forest Engagement Photo Location in the Bay Area
K & J are engaged!
The story of their engagement started in September 2022 while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
It happened just before dinner when J proposed to K along the beach with a pink sunset sky in the background— Which was promptly followed by an unexpected tropical storm. Talk about quite the adventure!
A few weeks after they got back, they started planning their wedding day.
They searched for wedding venues around San Jose and it’s where they stumbled upon the Saratoga Springs Wedding and Events Center.
If you’re not familiar with this wedding venue in the Bay Area, let me paint you a picture: it’s the perfect balance of nature and elegance; full of redwoods and fresh pine-scented air while providing the space and aesthetic of architectural bliss.
The cool part is that although Saratoga Springs is a wedding venue, they also open spots for couple’s engagement sessions during the winter months. If you’re interested, reach out to them to check their availability!
Saratoga Springs Engagement Session
On the day of their engagement session (a chilly late-December morning), K & J showed up dressed to the 9s and even brought a second outfit to change into so their gallery had a variety of images.
The weather couldn’t have been any better too. California saw so much rain this past winter that it poured every day of the week leading up to their session. Thankfully, when we met up, the sky cleared out!
We got a break from the rain which allowed us to see the beauty and uniqueness of Saratoga Springs.
It goes without saying I’m lucky that they let me be a part of such a fun day. Check out some of my favorite images from their gallery!
Choosing Saratoga Springs for Your Engagement Photos
If you're looking for a stunning location for your engagement photos in the Bay Area, Saratoga Springs is a beautiful option to consider. The serene and peaceful forest location offers a perfect backdrop for capturing your love.
But before you start planning, there are a few things you should know:
Availability
Saratoga Springs caters to weddings and events throughout the year. Therefore, they mostly accept engagement sessions during their slow season only (Late November to Early January). Make sure to email them beforehand to double-check their availability.
Permit Fee
There is a permit fee of around $150 that you can pay on the day of your session. Once the permit is paid for, there are no hour or location restrictions unless they have another event scheduled that day.
Weather and Construction Closures
There are several photo locations that you can walk to quickly, but some may close seasonally due to last-minute weather or construction activities. When you reach out to the office to check their availability, ask about potential closures too.
Facilities
The location has a bathroom with plenty of space for changing into another outfit. So, if your photographer says you can have a second outfit, take advantage!
Tips for Planning Your Engagement Photo Session
Planning your engagement session doesn’t have to fall on you alone.
Once you book a photographer, let them know that you want help with choosing the best time, location, and outfits to wear.
If you need a starting point, here are 3 tips to keep in mind:
WHAT TO WEAR – Consider what the weather will be like and find your outfit inspiration on Pinterest to get started. Ask your photographer if they have a styling guide too. Often, they can provide feedback on the color and types of clothing that photograph best! Go a step further and send screenshots of your choices and they can guide you to pick outfits that complement each other.
MIND THE WEATHER – Check the weather forecast even if you’re choosing to have your engagement session in the dry months. Extreme weather (hot or cold) can creep up and you need to be prepared. When picking your outfits, consider layers so that you can add or remove them as needed!
PHOTOGRAPHER’S RECOMMENDATIONS – Once you pick a location and hire a photographer, tell them your vision. Then, let them do the rest of the work. They can let you know the best day and time to do your session, as well as give specific photo spots, as well as prompts and poses, to take you which reflect your interests and personality.
For more tips for couples about engagement photos in California, check out my blog posts on 10 Tips To Prepare For Your Engagement Photos and Where to Take Your Engagement Photos in California!
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Hey, I’m Sara!
I’m a California elopement photographer based in the Central Valley.
If you’re recently engaged or ready to start planning your elopement day, I’m cheering you on and I’d love to help!
Let’s talk about your vision, gush over stunning locations and spend the day creating memories.
I’m here to guide you through the process + capture your day how you dream it.
Your perfect day starts here
