Balboa Park Engagement Photos

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Getting to photograph Ben and Laura on the Skyfari aerial tram at the zoo and also do Balboa Park engagement photos? Yes please! Let me start off by saying that despite the summer heat, this day was so.much.fun.

I’ve known Ben for a few years, and when he called me up asking to be their wedding photographer, I was so excited! We met for dinner, where I got to officially meet his wonderful fiance, Laura. She’s the sweetest, and seeing the two of them together was the cutest thing. The way they make one another constantly laugh and smile seriously melts my heart! We chatted over a couple of beers about how they met, the proposal, their wedding plans, and just life in general!

When it came to their engagement session, they wanted to incorporate locations that were special to their relationship, which I loved! That meant a trip to the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park was in store for us!

San Diego Zoo Photos

Throughout their relationship, the zoo housed many of their dates (and they’re now pass holders and go several times a year), so taking photos here was a must! I was stoked because while I’ve been to the zoo numerous times, I’ve never done an engagement session here. So I jumped at the chance to do this!

As we walked through the park, they reminisced how certain areas had changed and developed throughout their dating years. It was fun to hear about the park from their perspective, and they knew some great, non-crowded photo spots! After walking to some of their favorite spots and grabbing a happy hour drink, we ended the zoo session with a ride on the aerial tram (if you’ve never ridden on this before, I highly recommend it! It’s a great way to see the park, along with some great views of San Diego).

After the zoo, we strolled on over to Balboa Park. Our first stop was at the Spanish Village. If you haven’t been there, let me paint a picture for you – it’s a quaint little village and the ground has multi-colored slabs of concrete throughout it. Each of the doors and walls are also uniquely colored, so it’s like walking through a rainbow. Basically a photographer’s dream when it comes to fun backgrounds!

We ended near the Old Globe Theater. Both Ben and Laura volunteer as ushers at the theater on the weekend, so this was a special spot for them. They love watching plays, and one of the perks of being an usher is that you get to watch the production as well! Laura’s mom is also an usher, which is how she initially became interested in it. I love how this is not only a special place for Ben and Laura, but the whole family!

If the love and energy that exuded from Ben and Laura during this session is any indication of how their wedding day will be, then it’s safe to say I can’t wait for it!