El Matador Beach
Malibu, California
Setting: Beach
When to shoot at El Matador Beach: Sunrise or sunset (sunsets can be crowded)
El Matador Beach address: 32350 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Photography permits at El Matador Beach: Required if there is an event on the beach
Parking at El Matador Beach: There is a paid parking lot at El Matador Beach. When this fills up, there is limited, free street parking along the Pacific Coast Highway, about a five minute walk from the entrance to the parking lot. However, walking along the PCH can be dangerous, so please be careful if crossing the highway.
Access: It can be difficult for anyone with mobility issues to access the beach, as there are several steep staircases leading down the cliffs to the beach. This also makes it an especially tricky location for anyone doing maternity photography, so bear this in mind.
Photography at El Matador Beach
Nestled along the breathtaking coastline of Malibu, California, El Matador Beach boasts a natural beauty that is quintessentially Californian. Imagine rugged cliffs that gracefully meet the crashing waves, stunning rock formations, and golden hour lighting that paints the sky in warm hues. As an engagement photographer, I count myself lucky to find myself at El Matador as often as I do.
This picturesque corner of Malibu has become a beloved destination for photographers and couples alike, particularly those seeking an intimate, romantic, and off-the-beaten-path setting for engagements, proposals, and elopements.
As you make your way down the winding staircase along the cliff’s edge, you’ll feel a sense of seclusion and exclusivity, as if you’ve stumbled upon a hidden oasis (particularly if you’re there at sunrise, as the El Matador Beach sunset has become quite popular).
Practical Tips for a Photo Session at El Matador Beach
A photo session at El Matador Beach is an adventure worth undertaking. To ensure your session is a resounding success, here are some practical tips to keep in mind.
Timing
When planning your shoot at El Matador Beach (or any beach), timing is everything. “Golden hour”—that magical time just after sunrise or just before sunset—is when the light is the most flattering and beautiful time of day for shooting portraits and is particularly beautiful at the beach. Aim to schedule your session during these times.
At El Matador Beach in particular, if you’re looking for a more secluded session, I always recommend scheduling your session at sunrise. You’ll have to park outside of the parking lot on the Pacific Coast Highway, as the parking lot doesn’t open until later in the morning, but it’s worth it for the otherworldly feeling of being in such a beautiful place when it is so empty and peaceful.
Clothing
To complement the picturesque coastal setting, I’d recommend flowy, beach-inspired attire. Couples or groups can coordinate their outfits with soft, earthy tones or maybe embrace a touch of vibrant color to create a visually captivating contrast against the beach’s rugged beauty.
Don’t forget to consider practical footwear for navigating the sand and rocks! I’d recommend wearing sandals and bringing a small bag to put them in once you’re on the beach. (Pro tip: In that bag, you could also bring a small towel and baby wipes, so when we’re leaving the beach, you’ll be able to get the sand off before getting back in your car.)
Tides
Be sure to consult a tides chart to make sure that the date and time of your session line up with a relatively low tide. I always do this for my own couples. Sometimes the realities of our schedules mean that we’ll have to schedule your session during a higher tide. However, whenever you do have the flexibility to do so, a low tide makes any photo session at El Matador Beach much easier.
Some galleries from El Matador Beach:
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HI THERE, I’M PAMELA!
I’m the owner and lead photographer at Pamela Tatz Photography. I know that the choice of the best wedding photographer is a deeply personal one, and I’m grateful you found your way here.
My rates for wedding photography and photo sessions are all available, as well as some answers to frequently asked questions. You can learn more about me and my business, as well as check out some resources I’ve put together to help anyone planning their California wedding, destination wedding, elopement, or engagement.
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