Temecula Engagement Photo Locations

The Temecula Valley area has a lot to offer for couples looking for the perfect setting for their engagement photos! There’s beautiful outdoor spaces as well as one of the best downtown areas in all of the Inland Empire (if I do say so myself!). As a local wedding photographer, I’m well-versed in great locations and I’m always on the lookout for new Temecula engagement session locations. Below are a few options for couples looking for the perfect engagement session location!

When to Schedule Your Engagement Photos

I like to photograph engagement sessions an hour and a half before sunset. This is the very best light of the day and also allows for a quick outfit change!

The couples I work with tend to schedule their engagement photos 3-6 months before their wedding. There’s no “right” time, but you’ll want to be mindful of the season. August, for instance, can be brutally hot in Temecula and not a great month for engagement photos! Likewise, if you want greenery in your images, you’ll want to wait until after March to schedule your session.

If you’d like your Temecula engagement session in a vineyard, you’ll want to plan on late April as the earliest timeframe, as the vines aren’t very full in early spring.

What to Wear

I recommend dressing up for engagement photos! Solid-colored outfits photograph best. A classic look is a dress or maxi for ladies, and a button-up t-shirt and jeans or dress pants for men. Fit is important – you don’t want your clothes to be too tight or too loose! For women, if you’re planning on heels, bring a back-up pair of flats for walking around. Lastly, if you have a bit of a drive to your engagement session location, I recommend changing once you get there. It prevents any wrinkles from forming on the way 🙂

When in doubt, I advise couples to send me the outfits they’re thinking about wearing! I’m always happy to provide feedback and recommendations!

Hair and Makeup

TREAT YO SELF! For many of my couples, this is one of their first experiences with professional photos. Having your hair and makeup professionally done will not only help you look your best, but feel your best as well!

Temecula Engagement Photo Locations

Wedding Venues

If you’re getting married at one of Temecula’s amazing wedding venues, you may want to consider the venue for your engagement photos, too! Most wineries and venues only offer the use of their grounds to their clients. Additionally, I find some wedding days are so busy it’s nice to take full advantage of your venue and take your time working your way around the venue. Afterwards, I recommend dinner and a glass of wine!

You can see an engagement session at Avensole Winery below!

Avensole Winery Engagement Session

Rose Haven Heritage Garden

This is my favorite option that allows for some color during the hotter months. I carry a year-round permit to photograph in Rose Haven Heritage Garden.

Check out an engagement session at Rose Haven Heritage Garden below!

Rose Haven Heritage Garden Engagement Session

Old Town Temecula

Old Town Temecula is my absolute FAVORITE place for engagement session photos! This downtown area has so much to offer! I typically “split” sessions in this location between the actual downtown area (starting at the bridge area is quite popular!) to finding the grassy spaces nearby for more of a rustic, outdoor feel.

Old Town Temecula’s another area where weekday sessions are best. Weekends can be busy with community events and parking can be difficult! Of course, after your session, you have to treat yourselves to dinner! I recommend Small Barn and PUBlic House, two of my favorites 🙂

See an engagement session in Old Town Temecula below!

Old Town Temecula Engagement Session

Additional Engagement Photo Locations

Check out my article Inland Empire Portrait Locations for additional engagement location ideas! I frequently photograph sessions in Murrieta, Corona, Claremont and more!

Temecula Wedding Planning & Resources

What You Must Know Before Booking a Temecula Wedding Venue
Avensole Winery Wedding
16 Amazing Temecula Wedding Venues
Wilson Creek Winery Wedding