The 9 Best Engagement Photographers in Riverside

One of Southern California’s hidden gems, Riverside is a stunning West Coast city. At the heart of the Inland Empire and close to Los Angeles, it’s a choice location for couples searching for the perfect spot for a photo session. Riverside engagement photographers have the pleasure of enjoying warm, Californian temperatures, as well as a varied landscape of deserts and farmland. From expansive citrus groves to dusky mountains, palm trees, and winding roads, whatever kind of photographs you’re looking for, you’ll find them here.

1. Jessica Castellano of Jess Caste Photography

Super-talented photographer Jessica Castellano is an Orange County native. With a bachelor’s degree in photography and communications, she is an excellent wedding and engagement photographer. She’s dedicated her life to the pursuit of the art, shooting on her trusty Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Plenty of publications have featured her photography, including LA Bridal Magazine. Her photos all have a golden-hour feel, whether they’re actually shot in natural light or not — with golden orange and cyan hues, the kind of engagement photography that’s stylish and hip.

2. Kiku Ishimoto

Energetic and adventurous, Riverside engagement photographer Kiku Ishimoto has an eye for magic. Kiku loves hiking, chocolate, cats, and getting the opportunity to capture the essence of her subjects. It’s why photography is her calling. In a single session, she’ll be your personal storyteller, your photographer, and your best friend. Determined to continue being able to tell a couple’s story without the use of words, photography will surely be part of her life for a long time to come. Her shots capture the faded beauty of SoCal, pink sunsets, soft sands, and couples in love. Get adventurous with her, and you’ll love the results.

3. Mike Federis

Riverside engagement photographer Mike Federis is a former marine. It was during his military service that he found his love of photography. Traveling overseas gave him ample opportunity to hone his craft, and the more pictures he took, the more he loved to do it. In 2017, he officially made the leap and began his own photography business, which he runs alongside his other half, Dolly. Like many photographers, Mike wants moments to last a lifetime. With his camera and the stunning backdrops of the Inland Empire, he’s able to do just that.

4. Meghan Knight of Meggy Weggy Photography

Bubbly and fun don’t come close to capturing the spirit of college student-cum-photographer Meghan Knight. She has an eagerness to share laughs and an even bigger desire to capture the real essence of her subjects. As far as engagement sessions go, she can deftly capture the way your eyes light up when you smile. More than anything, Meghan loves love. Those candid moments where you’re singing in your kitchen with your beau or walking your dogs. It’s this enthusiasm that she brings to her engagement sessions, showing you how beautiful candid moments are.

5. Haley Vaughn

What hits you when you look at Haley Vaughn’s photographs is the intimacy. It’s almost as if she’s not there and the SoCal landscape itself is the one taking pictures of your most private moments. Vaughn brings an infectious energy to her shoots, making her subjects comfortable and content in front of the lens. Booking sessions all across California from Joshua Tree to Big Bear, Haley’s love of traveling and adventure make for exciting sessions and stunning results. Among one of the top Riverside engagement photographers, she’ll give you a nice mix of different concepts and compositions, with a luxurious, fashionable vibe running through all of it.

6. Black Rider Studios

Creative Tony Ruiz set up the Black Rider Studios photography team in 2006. Since then, the team has provided artistic photographs to all kinds of people during special events. Black Rider Studios consists of Tony; his wife and partner, Maria; and the equally talented Sarah Cecilia and Krissel Rivers. The riders want what they do to matter to you, which is why their videography and photography is always on point. When you look at one of your engagement photographs from a session with Black Rider Studios, they want you to see and feel what you did that very day.

7. Summer Dawn at Eleutheria Photography

Eleutheria is the Greek word for freedom, and it’s one that sums up the style of Eleutheria Photography ideally. Lead photographer and owner Summer Dawn feels the most comfortable behind the lens. Couples who seek out photographs from Eleutheria Photography are eccentric and adventurous. They share these traits with their photographer who wants nothing more than for clients to feel as comfortable as she does. For a hip, Free People-esque shoot, Summer is right there waiting.

8. Ella Merrill

Ella Merrill’s photography is bright, colorful, and contemporary. Whether it’s of the flowers surrounding your session or you and your other half, she’s inspired by the natural shades and landscapes of California. Enthused by natural light as much as love stories, Ella’s desire for photography comes from her love of people. As an engagement and wedding photographer, she gets to meet and work with brand-new people and give them the gift of their own memories. For more of her inspirations, check out her Pinterest. It’s no surprise she’s among one of the most talented Riverside engagement photographers.

9. Brett and Tori Benham

Husband-and-wife team Brett and Tori know what it’s like to be in love. Because of this, the pair strive to capture the essence of each session. They’re there to take photographs of moments that matter, as powerful or quaint as they might seem. Brett and Tori’s shoots have a photojournalistic style that’s injected with noticeably more style than that of others, a powerful combination of creativity and authenticity that’s hard to beat.

It’s sometimes difficult to remember how your engagement happened, as well as the flurry of months that follow before the wedding. With one of these Riverside engagement photographers by your side, you’ll capture the giddy glory of those days leading up to the wedding, when everything’s new and exciting and you’re preparing to take those bold first steps into your new life together.

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