Vasquez Rocks Engagement Photos | Adventurous Wedding Photographer Kept Record
Vasquez Rocks is part of the Los Angeles County Park system, and one of the most famous! As a backdrop for things like Star Trek and The Flintstones, this easily-accessible park is loved by hikers + movie directors alike! The rock formations here, created 20 million years ago by an earthquake along the Elkhorn Fault (a branch of the San Andreas fault), feel reminiscent of something you’d see in Moab. Engagement photos at Vasquez Rocks feel far away from the city of L.A., but are really just about an hour north, making it perfect for couples who love adventure but are looking for a desert backdrop a little closer than spots like Joshua Tree.
Read on to see photos from Jeremiah + Lauren’s super sweet Engagement session from 2019 (and steal tips on their outfits, I love what they chose to wear!). Below you’ll also find information on visiting Vasquez Rocks and similar-looking areas!
Heyoooo! If you’re loving the vibe of this Vasquez Rocks engagement session, I think you’ll love these too:
When Jeremiah and Lauren asked me what they should wear to their engagement shoot, I sent over my “engagement outfit inspo” mood board with a full email of tips for styling. I loved the way they chose colors together that looked coordinated without being “matchy-matchy” - they really pop! Later on in the session, Lauren told me her favorite color was yellow which had me scouting for spots that would really elevate that in the photographs!
All throughout their engagement session, I got to hear little bits of how wedding planning was going and how their wedding vision was coming together. I left with so many goosebumps just thinking about their gorgeous day later this year! I can’t spill the beans yet, but you’ll definitely want to hear more about this wedding when it comes around.
The ultimate reward for a photographer is hearing that they’ve made their clients happy. I want every person I photograph to feel GOOD about their photos - to feel seen, to feel like their most authentic self, to feel beautiful. But the text I got from Lauren was even more than that - she told me that not only was she crying, but that her family members she shared the photos with were crying too. HOLY MOLY. I’m so freakin’ blessed to do what I do - to get to play even a small role in helping people connect this way. Jeremiah + Lauren had been together for years and had never had a professional photo taken, so they were beyond nervous. Needless to say, I think they absolutely NAILED IT and I’m so excited for them to have these photos to look back on this era - so full of anticipation and excitement - for years and years to come.
more information on Vasquez Rocks
What is Vasquez Rocks?
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area is part of the County of L.A.’s Park system. It’s a protected area featuring unique geologic formations, The area contains 932 acres of land, popular for hiking, picnics, horseback riding, and for filming TV, movies, and commercials.
Where is Vasquez Rocks located?
This park can be found in Santa Clarita, CA. Here’s the address:
10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
to get there from L.A. you’ll take the 101 north, then follow signs for I-5/ Golden State Fwy and exit towards Palmdale/Lancaster. Plan for about 75 minutes from downtown L.A. - but don’t be surprised by heavy traffic on seasonal weekends or rush hour.
how did vasquez rocks get its name?
Before all the cool kids (aka, filmmakers + Hollywood moguls) discovered this spot, wild west outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez found these rocks mighty helpful! According to this LA Times article, after robbing stagecoaches he’d use this area to stow his treasures. A lot of the visitors that have come to this park in the last century have been looking for gold and silver rumored to have been left by here! Now more of the visitors are made up of hikers and location scouts for sci-fi movies or car commercials, but the legend does still lure some folks!
What’s special about Vasquez Rocks?
The geologic formations at Vasquez Rocks Natural Park Area are a sight! These rocks have an uncommon, harsh slant (a result of the earthquake that forged them).
This area is part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Read more about the PCT here: Guide to Hiking the PCT
Enjoy activities like hiking - you can even revisit the trails where infamous robber, and the namesake of this area, Tiburcio Vasquez, once stowed his treasure! It’s also a popular location for horseback riding, picnicking, and stargazing. In Spring you may be lucky enough to see a seasonal stream!
for more desert engagement + wedding inspo, visit these links!
eloping in moab, UT | eloping in Joshua Tree | sunrise engagement session in Joshua Tree