El Matador Engagement Photos in Malibu | Victoria & Sebastian

Malibu • California

Stephanie Ip Photography

Posted on September 16, 2025

When you picture your dream engagement session in Malibu, chances are you’re imagining golden light, ocean waves, and a quiet stretch of sand. That was exactly Victoria and Sebastian’s vision for their El Matador Beach engagement photos. What none of us expected? The wild energy of Labor Day weekend—and a pair of state park rangers—completely changed the plan.

And honestly? It turned into one of the most spontaneous and fun sessions ever.

The Challenge of a Holiday Weekend

It was Labor Day weekend, probably the very last holiday weekend before everyone go back to school and end of their Summer vacation. We first aimed for Point Dume for its huge parking lot, but lots were overflowing and traffic was gridlocked. We had to turn away and explore alternative. We tried Zuma Beach, but rangers had already closed off the lots. Finally, we made it to El Matador State Beach—only to find the lot locked and every nearby space full.

After looping the area a few times, we managed to find a roadside spot and started warming up Victoria and Sebastian with portraits overlooking the ocean. Just as the couple was getting comfortable, two state park rangers approached.

They congratulated Victoria and Sebastian on their engagement, but also let us know professional photography requires a permit at this particular beach. In the hundreds of times photographing at this very location, we never obtained a permit nor gotten turned away. Our guess why we got approached was probably the light reflector we were using, also this particular day overcrowded everywhere in Malibu beaches. Under such circumstances we had no choice but to respect the rangers’ words and leave.

Pivoting with Creativity

This could have been the end of the session. Instead, it became the beginning of something unforgettable.

As we were sadly walking back to our cars, I spotted a patch of white flowering bushes along Pacific Coast Highway and suggested we shoot a few there. At first, Sebastian was hesitant, but soon both of them were giggling, leaning into the unexpected backdrop.

Then came the moment that changed everything: we decided to take advantage of a clear stretch of road and had them run hand-in-hand across the highway. It was a little daring, totally unplanned, and absolutely exhilarating.

The Couple’s Reaction

At first, Victoria and Sebastian weren’t sure what to expect. But as soon as they ran into the street with cars flying by in the distance, the energy shifted. They laughed, they embraced, and they forgot all about the crowded beaches.

By the end, Victoria told me it was “so much fun”—the kind of adrenaline-filled, roller-coaster memory that makes you feel alive. What began as a stressful, crowded holiday weekend afternoon turned into their most memorable shoot ever.

The Lesson: Spontaneity Creates Magic

As photographers, we can plan locations, timelines, and vision boards. But sometimes, life throws curveballs—like closed parking lots and strict rangers. What matters most is how you pivot to adapt the situation.

Victoria and Sebastian’s Malibu engagement session was proof that when couples stay open to the unexpected, their photos (and memories) become even more meaningful.

Because in the end, the best engagement photos aren’t always about the perfect backdrop. They’re about the story you’ll tell years from now—the time you were kicked out of El Matador, laughed your way through traffic, and created magic in the middle of the street.

Thinking About Your Own Engagement Photos?

If you’re planning an engagement session in Malibu, El Matador, or anywhere along the California coast, I’d love to help create a session that feels uniquely yours. Whether the beach is wide open or the crowds throw us a curveball, we’ll capture photos that feel natural, genuine, and unforgettable.