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WHEN SHE SAID
YES!

Orange County ENGAGEMENT Photographer

Specialized in capturing PERSONALITY, LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

orange-county-engagement-photographer

WHEN SHE SAID YES!

Orange County engagement Photographer

Specialized in capturing PERSONALITY, LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Christopher Todd Headshot

Hi, I'm Christopher Todd an Orange County Engagement Photographer

Engagement photography in Orange County is fun and relaxing with Christopher Todd Studios. As a local Orange County photographer, I have been working with couples creating professional photos for the past 18 years. 

When deciding on where to take portraits for your session we are always here to help guide you through the process. We understand it can be overwhelming to decide on the perfect location. Luckily in OC we have a multitude of great spots to create portraits.

My unique style of taking photos is a blend of dramatic portraiture, documentary, modern, classic, and lifestyle portraits.

A couple of quick things about me personally. I was born and raised in Orange County. I currently live with my family near Huntington Beach where I love to surf. I am passionate about art, traveling, and of course photography.

Christopher Todd Headshot

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

Real Engagement sessions

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What Our Couples Say

bride and groom kis after weddig ceremony with flowers adn guests watching

Tina & Joe Shely

"Chris and his team provided us with fantastic service and professionalism from end to end. Even more important, their photos were absolutely stunning. We looked like magazine models in the photos! We would definitely use Christopher Todd studios again."

Bride adn Groom embrace on beach holding wedding bouquet

April & Alkevin Punsal

"YOU JUST FOUND YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!!! Stop wasting your time searching! Chris was our photographer for our wedding, and my husband now and I know that WE WOULD HAVE NOT CAPTURED ALL OF OUR MOMENTS BEAUTIFULLY WITHOUT HIM!"

bride and groom laugh after wedding on steps of wayfarers chapel

Emily & Mike Roe

"Christopher Todd honestly made my wedding and engagement photo dreams come true. I did A LOT of research when it came to my photographer for the wedding. Christopher was everywhere and was always there to catch the moments I want to remember."

Our OC Studio Location

Why Hire Christopher Todd Studios for Engagement Photography?

Your in good hands with Christopher Todd Studios.

I want to be your engagement photographer. This is the best opportunity to get to know you as a couple before your big day in an organic way. Your engagement session is an important time for us to create a real connection.  Another huge benefit of Engagement Photography is the couple get some practice being photographed. Most couples will later admit feeling anxious in front of the camera. The session will help avoid extra wedding day nerves. Your family will also benefit when they see these images of you two and have added trust in your photographer when the wedding day arrives. In a wedding, trust equals chances to make incredible photos like on this website. When I have a family's trust, great things happen.

CONFIDENCE

Nothing brings confidence to an engaged couple more than practice and the best way to practice wedding photography is engagement photography. As a photographer, there is nothing better on a wedding day than have a comfortable bride and groom that trusts the photographer. The opposite is also true. Without practice, couples tend to lack confidence and feel anxious. making your wedding photography more difficult.

CONNECTION

Every couple has a unique connection or chemistry. Some couples are quirky. Some are serious, and some never stop laughing. Despite your connection with each other, as your photographer I will gain powerful insight into your relationship, banter and style just by observing and photographing you together. The knowledge attained from your engagement session will help me be better prepared on your wedding day.

TRUST

My goal is to always exceed my client's expectations. Great images are a given, however, we really think it's the little things that make a difference, like being prepared, flexible, and creative. Couples always love their engagement photos, and they walk away with more trust that they chose the right photographer for their wedding.

QUALITY

Image is everything! I am an expert at my craft and take pride in my work. My commitment to you starts with excellent photography and a great experience planning, photographing, and ordering images. I would like our time together to yield the most incredible photos of you in your lives.  

Feeling Overwhelmed?

We Make The Process Is Easy!

3 Steps Of Engagement Photography

Below is a timeline that breaks down everything from our first call to delivering your prints and products. We find it's best to begin any project with a goal in mind. My plan for your engagement photos is to create images that show your personality and connection to one another. My job is not only to take your photos but to help you plan from start to finish. I want every couple I work with to have beautiful prints for their new home.

#1. FIRST CALL/ ZOOM

Duration: Approx. 20-30 min.

On this call we will discuss:

  • Goals for the images. (Wall print, Album)
  • Style preferences.
  • Wardrobe.
  • Location.
  • Timing.
  • We schedule your engagement session & ordering session meeting.

#3. ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SESSION

Duration:  Approx. 1-2 hours.

Goal: Create images unique to you and your fiance that reflect your personalities and connection.

  • Usually 1-2 locations, 1-2 outfits.
  • Blend of lifestyle and posed portraits.
  • The best way to get to know you.

#6. ORDERING MEETING

Schedule: 1-2 weeks after your session we’ll meet and present your images Meeting Via Zoom meeting.

Duration: Meetings typically last 45-90 min.

Goal: We wrap having made every decision about your images, prints for your wall, and gifts for family.

  • Prepare to be blown away.
    We set aside this time, and give you. our undivided attention to help you realize your vision for the photos.
  • We guide you in creating art for your walls, wedding album, and gifts for your parents.
  • Decision-makers need to be present.

POPULAR PRODUCTS FOR engagements

Preserve Your Memories

Photography is our way of preserving your legacy. We all know how valuable photographs are. Every couple should have prints, albums, canvas, or framed photos to hang on your wall.

For Your Walls

Our most popular products include:

  • Canvas Wall Prints
  • Framed Prints
  • Wall Cluster Prints
  • Modern Acrylic Prints

Coffee Table Albums

The ultimate way to tell a wedding story:

  • Made in Italy
  • Customed designed albums
  • Matching Box
  • Pick any color

Gifts & Other Products

Our most popular extra products:

  • Italian Folio Boxes
  • Wedding invitations
  • Save the dates
  • Thank you cards

FAQ's

Have more questions? Get in touch with us to start planning your engagement portrait today.

ENGAGEMENT PLANNING RESOURCES

As an Orange County engagement photographer, I have seen many scenarios unfold. So I have written some specific articles that engaged couples might find useful.  My hope is that you will find this resource valuable and it will help you avoid any planning mistakes.

Some examples of articles you might find useful are:

  • Have your hair and makeup trial done on the same day, that way you get to see how it will look in your photos before the wedding.
  • Fun, they are simply fun. It's your style your look, your love story being told in a relaxed environment.
  • Choosing a location that is meaningful to you is important, maybe it is where you got engaged or where your first date was.
  • How to plan for an engagement session.
  •  
Seal Beach Pier Engagement Photo

ORANGE COUNTY ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

helping brides with useful advice on how to have fun and relax with their engagement session. Orange county has many location to take pics. Huntington Beach Central Park, Newport Beach Fashion Island is a great location. As well as Laguna Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano. Beach portraits making stunning images. Show casing your e-session in your home for the newly engaged couple. Environments locations or in our portrait studio in Santa Ana. Located near Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, and orange county freeways.

fun-los-angeles-engagement-photography

Los Angeles Engagement Photography

Los Angeles Engagement Photography Guide This post […]

Engagement Photo Of Couple On Teacups

Disneyland Engagement Photography

Engaged couples looking for a special place to take professional photos love a day at Disneyland. This fun, relaxed, romantic environment will shine through your photos and will make beautiful wall art in your home.

What Should We Wear For Our Engagement Session?

Get dressed up for your engagement photos. We offer all our couples a style guide so you can look your best. When you look and feel good it shows in your photos.

Our custom engagement portrait style guide is designed to give you ideas, and inspiration for planning the perfect engagement session. We include multiple outfits ideas ranging from very casual for beach portraits, to dressy, more professional looks, perfect for urban, or metropolitan locations such as Disney concert hall in downtown Los Angeles. We break down the guide into warm and cool tones to help couples planning an engagement session visualize the best color palette to use in their outfits relative to the portrait photography location.

Download Engagement Photography Style Guide

What are engagement portraits?

Engagement portraits are simply portraits with an engaged couple. Usually taken shortly after their engagement or a couple months before the wedding day. Like a regular portrait session we focus on the connection between the couple. Showing their love with candid and traditional photos. We have many suggestions for locations in Orange County and Los Angeles for your perfect engagement photos. We also love to have couples come into our Orange County studio for an engagement session. This is the beginning of your legacy together and it is an important time to photograph those moments.

Why are engagement photos important?

If you have chosen me to be your photographer thank you. I am are truly honored and want to take the best photos of you as I can. One way we accomplish this is by building trust with you.

We want to eliminate any doubts that you might have in front of the camera.

  • Will I look good?
  • Did you photograph my best side?
  • Don't make my nose look too big.
  • I don't want my arms to look fat.

These are all doubts that I have heard from many couples. I know one way to build trust and make couples feel confident in front of the camera is to experience the photographer in action before the wedding.

Actions beat words in my book. Nothing will make you trust my photographic expertise more than great results. When I walk into your dressing room on your wedding day and meet your friends and family, my goal is to become an insider as quickly as possible. The fast lane to being an insider is amazing engagement pics.
When I become an insider your friends and family relax because they are confident I will deliver images from the wedding that capture personality, and how it felt to celebrate with you in those moments.

FACT: Insiders get more opportunities to make photographs that show love, personality, family, and connection.

Engagement sessions build confidence in the couple

Most likely you are not a model nor is your fiancé. It may take 15-20 minutes just to feel comfortable in front of the camera. This is totally normal and to be expected. I will be directing the two of you and helping you pose.
But imagine if you don't do your engagement session with your wedding photographer. On the day of the wedding, you might only have 25 minutes for your bridal session together and 20 of those precious minutes are you two just getting comfortable.

Maybe it takes my special techniques to make you laugh, smile, and look natural and at ease. But I would much rather figure that all out at the engagement session where we have time than at your wedding day when moments are quick and I have to be ready for anything.
After you see your engagement pictures you will see how amazing you look in your photos and know that your wedding day pics will be even better and you will look awesome.

How To Prepare for Your Engagement Session

Our engagement photo sessions are planned in three phases:

  • Phase 1: The brainstorm, typically a 20 minute phone call to establish the goals for your session. This includes planning your location and outfits.
  • Phase 2: Your session which typically lasts two hours and visits one to two locations.
  • Phase 3: Product selection. After going through your image s and selecting your favorites, we will retouch your photos so you look your very best and create prints or albums that show your personality and connection.

Los Angeles and Orange County E-Sessions

I find OC and LA couples to be very savvy and already understand why it's important to create engagement photos before their wedding. If I had to give three reasons why you should have portraits taken before your big day, they would be:

  • Build confidence in front of the camera
  • Help reduce anxiety on your wedding day
  • We get to know you as a couple

Best Los Angeles Engagement Session Locations

Of course one of the major benefits of photographing couples engagement portraits in Los Angeles is the plethora of incredible spots for sessions.

LA West Side
I often photograph couples on the Westside. Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach is one of my favorite spots for eclectic backgrounds and funky colors. Couples looking for a more upscale look can head over to the 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica. Loaded with cafés, upscale shops, and restaurants with unique façades. Right around the corner for a more fun vibe is the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park is known for it's the iconic Ferris wheel. Due west is Palos Verdes with some of the most beautiful coastlines in LA. Abalone Cove just under Wayfarers Chapel is one of the best spots.

Heading up the coast you'll find yourself at the Getty Villa in Malibu which is an incredible spot if you like art. Speaking of J. Paul Getty, his museum off the 405 and Getty Center Drive is absolutely incredible for an engagement session. Between the white marble buildings, the beautiful garden, and the downtown skyline views it's a one-stop-shop. Literally, next door is UCLA. An often considered location for engagement pics by UCLA alums or Bruin college sweethearts. The most iconic spot on campus for photos is Royce Hall with its brick towers and Romanesque architecture. USC isn't so bad either.

LA Mid City locations
Los Angeles County Museum of Art or LACMA is an incredible Museum for engagement photos, and right next door is the Petersen Automotive Museum with its funky red metal exterior. If you're feeling dirty you can pop across the street to the La Brea tar pits.

Pasadena Engagements
Couples looking for an old town feel are often photographed in Pasadena. The most popular location in here for an e-session is City Hall. However, this city is loaded with many great parks and old tree-lined streets that make for perfect backdrops.

Downtown Los Angeles
Often used as a more edgy location. The west side of downtown is more upscale and metropolitan. With the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Broad Museum on Grand Avenue. The Eastside has a more urban feel. Colorful graffiti and hip artist hangouts in Koreatown make downtown LA unique. In addition, the Brewery near the LA river is also a great spot for photos. Centrally located is Vibiana, The Bradbury Building, and the Grand Central Market which are iconic landmarks in the city.

Celebrating your love story and it begins with your engagement.

Having an engagement session will be the first time you and your fiance will be in front of the camera together with me. It is a great way to practice and get to know your photographer. Kinda like how you have a wedding rehearsal.

Let's connect and not just on Facebook or Instagram

The connection that you will gain with your wedding vendor will be organic and the results will be beautiful wedding photos.
Engagement sessions allow the photographer to get to know the couple in an organic setting and this allows us to take photos that you will love and shows who you really are.

Getting to know your photographer before your wedding

Seeing professional pictures of the two of you before your wedding can be a huge advantage for the success of your wedding images. You can communicate to your photographer certain angles you like or dislike and we can adjust the photography accordingly. Why wait till the wedding day when it will be too late.

You get to know your photographer really well during an engagement session. You will better understand my style of shooting and see me in action. This will create a beautiful bond between the three of us. On your wedding day, you will feel so comfortable knowing you are in good hands.
As your photographer, I will be taking mental notes throughout the session. These will be used to capture moments on the wedding day that are unique to just the two of you.
Lastly, it's awesome to have amazing engagement prints that show your love and personality. Most couples tell me all they have are iPhone selfies to show for years of vacations and good times together.

Our job is to put couples at ease

We all know weddings can be stressful. From choosing the right color flowers to renting tuxedos. Not to mention certain family members. But when you have worked with your wedding photographer before the wedding day you will eliminate the stress of being in front of the camera which will directly lead to you looking amazing in your wedding photos.
The photographer really gets to know what works for the two of you as individuals and as a couple.
It is most beneficial to photograph the couple before the wedding this allows us to get a feeling how you interact and connect.

NEXT STEPS AFTER YOUR ENGAGEMENT

Most couples seeking engagement photography are also planning a wedding or elopement.  We hope our planning resources below will help you with our tips and ideas from a wedding industry insider.

ELOPEMENT PLANNING INFORMATION

The decision to have a traditional wedding or elope is tough for some couples while others can easily see themselves running off to get married simply and quickly. This section is for the couples that are interested in eloping for their wedding.

Couple's first kiss at their civil ceremony at the old courthouse in santa ana.

Orange County Elopements

Learn more about Orange County elopement photography.

catalina-island-elopement-ceremony

Catalina Island Elopements

Learn more about Catalina weddings & Elopements.

Get In Touch With Christopher

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