Some engagement sessions feel playful and beachy. Others feel editorial and timeless. Adrienne and Nick’s session at the Jonathan Club in Downtown Los Angeles was firmly in the latter category.
Opened in 1925, the private membership club is an architectural landmark in LA’s Financial District. Everywhere you look, there are details that, as a photographer, make me pause before taking the next frame. Hand-painted ceilings by Vatican-trained artist Giovanni Smeraldi. Intricate wood carvings created by early Hollywood set designers. The space is historic, layered, and incredibly elegant.
Adrienne and Nick leaned into that atmosphere perfectly. Their engagement session took place in the main lobby area, where the architecture alone could carry an entire photo shoot. When we photographed their session, the club was also decorated for the holidays. Lit Christmas trees and greenery added a warm glow to the already rich interior.
In another corner of the club, we discovered one of my favorite spots of the evening: a rust velvet couch set against a mercury glass mirror. It felt like stepping into an old Hollywood portrait set. The deep tones of the velvet paired beautifully with the soft lighting and Adrienne’s deep fuchsia dress.
But what made this session truly personal was the way we incorporated something meaningful to the couple. Adrienne and Nick love playing chess together. So we set up a board and let them play a round while I photographed. Some of my favorite images from the session came from those moments. The quiet concentration. The laughter when someone made a bold move. The subtle way their hands brushed across the board.
The funny part of this story is that I almost photographed their proposal! Nick had reached out earlier when he was planning to propose. His idea involved a two-mile hike at noon with no photos afterward, and ultimately, he decided not to bring in a photographer. Fast forward a few months, and Adrienne contacted me through the Jonathan Club to inquire about wedding photography, completely unaware that Nick had almost hired me for the proposal. Sometimes things just come full circle. Instead of the proposal, I had the honor of photographing their wedding in February, and I can’t wait to share the beautiful images with you.
See Alexis and Tim’s Winter Wedding at The Jonathan Club
Planning an Engagement Session in Los Angeles?
Whether it’s a private club in Downtown LA, the beach at sunset, or a place that holds personal meaning for you as a couple, engagement sessions are about capturing who you are together right now. If you’re planning your wedding and want engagement photos that feel natural, personal, and elevated, I’d love to photograph them for you. Now booking Los Angeles weddings and engagement sessions.
