Sunset El Matador Malibu Beach Engagement Session
El Matador Beach in Malibu is a very popular spot for engagement photos, and for obvious reasons. It is one of the only beaches in Southern California where you can experience both beautiful rock face cliffs, sunsets, and the ocean all at the same time. The way the light tunnels through the beach boulders always creates these beautiful pockets of light you can step into between each breath of waves.
El Matador looks different all year since it has a high tide that limits its accessibility year round. In the spring, the hills come alive with these bright yellow mustard seed blossoms that turn the hillsides into meadows (click here to see an engagement session done in the spring at El Matador). In the winter, there are lower tides, revealing some more beach access that isn’t found in the summer (click here to see an elopement with some photos at El Matador).
Will and Kat had one of the most memorable engagement shoots at El Matador that I have experienced to date as they got one of the most insane sunsets I have ever photographed, let alone even seen!! When we first arrived we were worried the gray clouds wouldn’t offer us any sunset possibilities at all. Still rolling with the natural beauty of the location, we began their photos when the sun decided to peek out from behind the far off cloud bank. The sky quickly illuminated bright yellow and gold, before fading to orange and a vibrant magenta pink! Will and Kat walked hand-in-hand up and down the beach as the sunset faded behind them, turning yet again from it’s pink into purple, and finally an evening blue.
It was a stunning night at El Matador and I was so grateful to capture Will and Kat’s enagement photos there!
TIPS FOR YOUR PHOTOS AT EL MATADOR BEACH:
El Matador Beach is a picturesque and popular beach located in Malibu, California. The beach features stunning rock formations, sea caves, and tide pools, and offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Because it is such a stunning location, there can often be crowds at peak hours of the day. Here are some tips for your photos at El Matador.
Plan your visit: Try to schedule your photo shoot for a weekday you are hoping for sunset hours. Friday-Sunday before sunset is the most crowded and popular time.
Dress appropriately: Bring comfortable shoes for walking down and up the hill in that you don’t mind getting dirty or sandy. I recommend bringing a tote bag to place your shoes in once you reach the sand and being barefoot during your photos.
Consider the tides: The beach can have high tides and strong waves, so check the tide schedule before your visit and plan your shoot accordingly. Monitoring the tide reports will let you know how much of (or even if) the beach is accessible.
Prepare to walk: There is limited parking in the small parking lot attached to the beach. If you get lucky and find a space, you’ll need to pay to park at the machine. If there are no spaces available, you’ll need to find street parking. If you park on the street please pay attention to no parking signs. The street is mostly residential and there are sections of curb that are not permitted for parking.
