Jordan and Adam’s Torrey Pines Engagement Session

There are some people you meet and instantly feel like you’ve known them for years. That’s exactly how it felt when I finally met Jordan and Adam in person for their Torrey Pines engagement session in San Diego, California. We had already spent time on the phone and over video calls, talking through their wedding plans and sharing bits of our lives, but getting to hug them in real life and wander one of my favorite beaches together was such a gift. Their love is perfect for a Torrey Pines engagement session.

If you’ve never been, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is this stunning stretch of protected coastline in San Diego with golden sandstone cliffs, peaceful trails, and views that seem to go on forever. The reserve overlooks Torrey Pines State Beach, where waves roll in below dramatic cliffs and the light turns soft and dreamy as the sun goes down. It’s one of those places that makes you feel small in the best way.

The unique beauty of a Torrey Pines engagement makes it a favorite for couples looking to capture their love in a breathtaking setting.

There’s something magical about the backdrop of a Torrey Pines engagement, with its stunning cliffs and serene ocean views.

Meeting in person for the first time

We started the afternoon with an easy walk along the path, just talking and laughing. This was our first time together in person, but it felt so natural. We’d already bonded over our mutual love of music, fashion, and traveling, so it honestly just felt like hanging out with old friends who happened to be really, really in love.

I could see how a Torrey Pines engagement perfectly suited their adventurous spirits and love for nature.

Jordan and Adam are some of the sweetest, most fun humans I’ve had the privilege of photographing. They’re best friends first, the kind of couple who tease each other one minute and are mushy and tender the next. You can tell they’ve walked through a lot of life together and chosen each other again and again.

Every moment spent together during their Torrey Pines engagement was filled with genuine joy and laughter.

Capturing their connection at this Torrey Pines engagement was such a rewarding experience.

Cliffs, golden light, and ocean air

Torrey Pines gave us so much variety in one place for their engagement. We started up along the cliffs, where the sandstone walls glowed this warm honey color in the afternoon light, perfect for a romantic Torrey Pines engagement.

I had them walk along the trail, arms wrapped around each other, pausing every so often to just breathe in the moment. Every time I asked them to look at each other, they’d start laughing or softening into this quiet, comfortable gaze that said everything without words. Those are my favorite kinds of images – the in-between moments where people forget the camera is there.

As the sun dipped lower, we made our way down closer to the beach. The cliffs rose up around us in shades of gold and amber, and the waves left glassy reflections across the sand. Torrey Pines is famous for its sunsets and peaceful, scenic coastline, and it absolutely delivered for these two.

Many couples choose Torrey Pines engagement sessions for its breathtaking landscapes.

The iconic views at Torrey Pines added a beautiful backdrop for their engagement photos.

Music, fashion, and the way love feels

One of the things that stood out to me most about Jordan and Adam was how deeply they connect over music. They’re total music people – the kind who curate playlists for road trips, for slow mornings, for big milestones. As someone who also has a huge love and passion for music, I felt like I’d found kindred spirits. We spent half the session talking about favorite artists and the songs that have gotten us through different seasons of life.

They also have such a fun sense of style. Every detail of their outfits felt intentional but still very “them,” from textures and layers to how their colors complimented the tones of the cliffs and water. I love when couples treat their engagement session as a chance to express who they are – not just what looks good in photos, but what feels like home when they put it on.

Looking ahead to their Gerry Ranch wedding

As we wrapped up the evening, the sky shifted into those soft pastel hues that make you want to freeze time. We stood there for a moment just watching the waves come in, talking about their upcoming wedding at Gerry Ranch in the Santa Rosa Valley. Hearing them talk about their day, their people, and the life they’re building together honestly made me so excited to be the one documenting it all.

Experiencing love at Torrey Pines engagement session captures the essence of their relationship.

Their friendship and love is something I hope to have in my own life with my significant other one day. It’s steady, playful, and layered – the kind of love that’s been tested by distance and still comes out stronger. Watching them together at Torrey Pines, laughing barefoot in the sand with the cliffs behind them and the ocean at their feet, felt like getting a little glimpse into a lifetime of shared adventures ahead.

If you’re dreaming of a Torrey Pines engagement session or planning a destination engagement in California, I’d love to help you create something that feels like you – full of connection, movement, and those quiet little moments you’ll want to remember forever.