El Matador Malibu Springtime Engagement Session Full of Wildflowers
The beaches in Malibu are some of my favorite to take couples to in Southern California is they are looking for a beach type environment for photos! There are picturesque lookouts, large cliff-sides, tidal pools, and perfect views for sunset year round! Jinhee and Ik were lucky enough to catch the springtime blossoms that take over the Malibu streets and Santa Monica Mountains when we captured their engagement photos in the spring of 2022.
One way Jinhee and Ik made their engagement photos special was the inclusion of their dog, Maple, and affectionate golden-doodle! Maple is such a sweetie and also a big part of Jinhee and Ik’s family, so naturally we had to include her in some of the photos! Since El Matador Beach isn’t pet friendly, Maple hung around the top of the cliffs where the bright yellow mustard seed blossoms were in full bloom to be included!
Maple stayed with a family member as we headed down to the ocean for some photos of Jinhee and Ik as the sun was setting! Jinhee’s beautiful olive colored dress complimented the foliage of the hillside perfectly, while adding a beautiful and elegant touch!
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.
