Ventura Beach Dog-Friendly Engagement Shoot - Jody + Melissa - Wedding Photographer Kept Record
a dog-friendly engagement shoot in southern california
with jody, melissa, and marlowe
You never know where you’ll meet new friends - like, on an early weekday morning at the dog park. That’s where I met Jody, way back in 2019! Our dogs, Marlowe + Lucy, immediately hit it off and so did we. A few months later, she started bringing Melissa, her new girlfriend, to the dog park with her. The three of us would groggily watch Lucy and Marlowe fight over a tennis ball or a stick as we sipped coffee. Fast forward, and now the two are engaged with plans to get married in Jody’s hometown of Traverse City, Michigan (about 4 hours from Detroit) later this year! I am so incredibly excited for what’s next in this chapter for them + it was so special to create beautiful engagement photos for them to remember this amazing time. For tips on taking engagement photos with your dog or visiting Ventura, scroll to the end of this post!
Jody + Melissa live in Southern California near Ventura now, which is about halfway between Santa Barbara and Malibu, so we went to one of their favorite local marinas and beaches for their engagement shoot. First we met up at at Yolanda’s for margaritas (highly recommended way to start your photoshoot!) before making our way over to the Seabridge Marina. Since Jody grew up sailing with her family in Michigan, it was a perfect way to tie in a bit of history in a thoughtful and subtle way. We ended the shoot at Hollywood Beach. It’s close to the Channel Islands Harbor and is super pretty, but most importantly it’s also dog-friendly! (It was far less crowded than Long Beach’s Rosie’s Dog Beach)
Jody and Melissa will get married at a cottage on the lake this year - it’s going to be such an honor to witness + document these two stepping into the next step on their journey together. I can’t wait! Also, cherries are one of my FAVORITE foods + Traverse City is the cherry capital of the world!
When Jody + Melissa told me they wanted to incorporate Marlowe into the shoot, we planned carefully to make sure we could get great photos! Melissa’s brother was able to meet us about three-quarters of the way through the shoot with Marlowe. By having him join us at the end, we knew we’d gotten the bulk of the photoshoot completed successfully and could run, play, and get covered in sand with less worry.
That feeling when
Your moms are getting married and you just can’t hold back the joy anymore!
Tips for Planning a Shoot with your Dog:
Bring their favorite toy! It’s a great way to grab their attention.
Pack yummy treats to reward them for good behavior!
If something isn’t working don’t force it - just move on + circle back later if you can!
Alternate short bursts of photos with 5-10 minutes of playtime so that they don’t get too restless.
Plan to have a familiar friend/family member on hand to help wrangle the pup!
If possible, shoot in a place they’re familiar with so they’re less absorbed by new sights/sounds etc.
Have fun! Dogs are a little goofy + wild, so it’s not surprising that your photos may turn out with a few derpy smiles or imperfect poses. It’s part of what makes it so fun!!!
Planning your Ventura Beach Engagement Shoot?
Not quite ready to reach out to photographers yet?
Grab my free elopement planning starter kit here!
behind the lens
Hey there! I’m Morgan - the founder + lead photographer of Kept Record and full-time dog mom to two huskies (Lucy + Pepper!). I’ve been helping couples feel confident + comfortable in front of the camera since 2017, but I’ve had a camera in my hand for nearly 20 years! I love helping people experience wedding photographer in a way that feels fun + candid and if dogs are involved, even better! Read more about me here.
Here’s what you’ll need to know about Ventura Beach:
Ventura is a beautiful spot that’s much less crowded than Malibu or Santa Barbara. The beach is clean and pleasant, and weather in the area pretty much stays at a breezy low-70’s year-round.
If you’re visiting Ventura from out of town, check out Crowne Plaza Hotel or Ventura Beach Marriott. Crowne Plaza has views of the Pacific Ocean and a nice space to enjoy the beautiful weather complete with a heated pool + fire pit! The Marriott is newly renovated and is close to the beach too. If you need to pick up an engagement outfit or get your hair styled before your shoot, head over to The Collection Riverpark in Oxnard. There’s a nail salon, a massage parlor, Target (thank goodness!), Vans, REI, and more. If you’re ready to shop local, hit up Ventura Harbor Village, where you’ll find independent boutiques, art galleries, and cute dessert shops on the water!
Seas the Day!
Beyond the gorgeous beaches, this area has other sightseeing options too! The Ventura Botanical Gardens, Serra Cross Park, and Channel Islands Harbor are all well worth a visit. At the harbor you can even plan a fun paddleboarding date, go parasailing, or tour the harbor on a Venetian-style gondola beneath the canals (cue the romantic music, please!). Some of these spots would make great options for wedding ceremonies too - okay, maybe not paddleboarding, but you could make a pretty spectacular entrance by way of a parasail!
Tie the Knot in Ventura
Melissa and Jody will be getting married this August in Michigan, but if they were looking at venues in Ventura County I would definitely suggest considering a beach wedding at the Botanical Gardens, Pacific View Tower, or Maravilla Gardens. Pacific View Tower by Wedgewood Weddings is a beachfront venue with a breathtaking view of the mountains. Maravilla Gardens is a very romantic, secluded-feeling venue with amazing landscaping that makes the place feel like it’s pulled straight from a fairytale!
What did you think of this engagement shoot? Do you have any questions about planning a Ventura Beach engagement shoot? Or, if you have tips for visiting Michigan later this year, send them my way -- fingers crossed I’ll get to check out the Upper Peninsula + Sleeping Bear Dunes while I’m there but I’m always open to suggestions!
Hit the button below to reach out to me today!
More engagement + wedding resources:
Want more like this?
Head to Stephanie + Sara’s Baker Beach, San Francisco Elopement here for tips on getting married by the Golden Gate Bridge, check out more of my 2020 Elopements and Engagements in California and beyond here, see a Hermosa Beach engagement shoot here, or check out a cliffside El Matador engagement shoot here.