Fort Funston is one of San Francisco's best-kept engagement session secrets — and it's hiding in plain sight, just minutes from the city.


What makes it special is the combination: dramatic sandy cliffs up top with sweeping views over the Pacific, and down below, a long, wide, flat stretch of beach that seems to run forever. Two completely different backdrops in one location — moody cliff-top portraits, then barefoot walking shots at the waterline — without ever moving your car.


Emma, Brandon and I timed their session for the last 60 minutes of light, which is when Fort Funston does its thing: the low sun turns the cliffs amber, the beach empties out except for a few hang gliders overhead and happy dogs chasing the surf, and everything glows. It's the ideal setting for the kind of engagement photos I love making — unposed, wind-in-your-hair, laughing at the dog that just photobombed you.


If you want a session that feels like San Francisco's wild coastal side — cliffs, ocean, endless sky — Fort Funston at sunset is hard to beat.

 

Engagement Photography
Black and white photo of tattooed couple sitting on beach with guitar, woman reclining on mans lap.
Black and white photo of two hands clasped together, one wearing an engagement ring, at a beach.
Tattooed male guitarist playing electric guitar on beach at golden sunset.
Two hands reaching toward each other on a black and white beach with ocean waves in the background.
Black and white photo of a couple lying on the ground, man holding electric guitar with tattoos visible.
A man plays electric guitar while sitting on a beach at sunset with a woman in a black dress beside him.
Couple embracing on beach at sunset, woman holding drumsticks, man carrying electric guitar.
Two people running joyfully through ocean waves on a beach in a black and white photo.
Two people reaching toward each other on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.
Couple kissing at sunset on a sandy beach, man holding a black electric guitar, romantic golden hour photography.
A joyful couple runs hand-in-hand through ocean waves on a beach at sunset, splashing water around them.
Black and white photo of a couple lying on a beach, sharing a smoky kiss near the ocean.
Silhouetted couple running barefoot along ocean shoreline at sunset on sandy beach.
Black and white photo of a tattooed man embracing and kissing a woman's shoulder, wearing silver rings.
Man kneeling on beach at sunset playing electric guitar for woman holding drumsticks.
Couple kissing on beach with electric guitar, black and white romantic rock music photo.
Couple embracing playfully in ocean waves at sunset on a sandy beach.
Black and white photo of bearded guitarist and woman lying on dark ground, both dressed in black.
Couple dancing on beach at sunset, man playing electric guitar while woman holds drumsticks.
Romantic couple embracing on a beach at sunset, man holding woman in his arms near ocean waves.
Man holding guitar laughs while dipping woman on beach, black and white photo.
A smiling man plays electric guitar for a woman on a sandy beach at sunset, both dressed in black.
Black and white photo of a couple dancing romantically on a beach, woman leaning back with flowing hair.
Black and white photo of long-haired musician holding white electric guitar on sandy beach.
Black and white photo of two people lying on dark sand, one gazing up, the other resting peacefully.
Black and white photo of a couple sharing a romantic kiss by the ocean shore.
Black and white photo of a couple kissing while embracing, one holding drumsticks outdoors.
Black and white close-up of tattooed hands playing electric guitar, wearing a diamond ring.
Two barefoot musicians stand on a beach at sunset, one holding drumsticks and one playing a black electric guitar.
Black and white photo of a couple standing in ocean waves on a beach, man with tattoos leaning toward woman.
Man playing electric guitar on beach in black outfit while woman smiles behind him, black and white photo.
A tattooed guitarist plays electric guitar on a beach at sunset while a woman in black dress dances with arms raised.
Two people running along a beach at sunset, silhouetted against golden ocean waves.
Black and white photo of a joyful couple embracing and laughing together on a beach.
Black and white photo of two people lying on dark ground, one holding an acoustic guitar, heads together.
Couple dancing barefoot on beach at sunset, man holding black electric guitar.