Filoli Historic House and Garden | Vita + Michael: The Perfect Location for a Whimsical Engagement Photography Session in the Bay Area

There’s something truly magical about Filoli Historic House and Garden in the fall; the golden light, the stillness in the air, and that quiet feeling that something beautiful is about to happen. When I met Vita and Michael for their engagement photoshoot in mid-October, it felt like we had the perfect lucky day, right between two stretches of rain, with soft sunshine filtering through the gardens and a crisp hint of autumn in the air. It was slightly chilly in the morning but warmed up so that Vita, who was wearing a spaghetti strap dress, wasn’t cold for the session.

From the moment I met the couple, it felt sooo natural. They were super warm, joyful, and completely in tune with each other. Our goal for the session was to create something cinematic, natural, romantic, and slightly wistful, photos that felt like stills from a movie rather than posed portraits.

One of my favorite moments was photographing them through a window in the middle of the garden, a quiet, in-between spot that gave us this dreamy, intimate frame. I loved how it felt like I was capturing them in their own little world, completely wrapped up in each other. Those are the kinds of moments I live for: unscripted, emotional, and timeless.

Vita and Michael both wore white outfits, which added this clean, elegant contrast to Filoli’s lush gardens and historic textures. Vita’s short white dress and Michael’s white shirt paired with black pants looked effortlessly stylish, but here’s a little insider tip for couples planning their own session:

—> If you both plan to wear white, make sure your tones of white match.
It might sound insignificant, but different fabrics and undertones can reflect light differently, and as your photographer, I spend time editing whites individually so they complement each other beautifully in the final images. It’s one of those little details that makes a big difference in the final gallery, so it’s all that much better when your outfit shades match from the start!

Everything about this shoot just flowed; no stiff poses, no pressure. Just laughter, connection, and trust. That’s what I love most about engagement sessions: getting to know my couples in such an easy, playful way and creating images that feel real.

Filoli truly never disappoints. Its historic charm, garden pathways, and glowing light genuinely make it one of the most romantic engagement photo locations in the Bay Area. Every time I shoot there, I find new corners that inspire me all over again. Plus, each couple makes it feel unique with where they want to photograph at the house, gardens, and fields and what time of day.

I do recommend usually going right when Filoli opens or right before they close for photoshoots because it means less people and therefore more opportunity to have a spot just for us to take pictures at without being interrupted. As a photographer, I also like to be as least disruptive to other guests as possible. Planning a session at open or right before close give you the best of both worlds.

Planning Your Own Bay Area Engagement Photoshoot

If you’re dreaming of fun, whimsical, cinematic, and romantic engagement photos with a touch of editorial flair, I’d love to create something magical with you, whether you’re local to the Bay Area or visiting Northern California for your session. Filoli Gardens might just be the spot for you.

✨ Let’s capture your love story in a way that feels uniquely you!! Inquire with me here.

For more information on Filoli, ticket prices, and the stunning handcrafted gardens, you can visit there website at https://filoli.org/!