One of my favorite places to photograph couples in San Francisco is the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts.


Recently, I had the privilege of capturing Apoorva and Raj's love story at this stunning location. With their grand winter wedding planned in India, they chose the romantic backdrop of San Francisco for their engagement photos - a beautiful way to celebrate their love story in the city they love.


Palace of Fine Arts Engagement shoot
Indian engagement photos in traditional clothes at Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is a dream location. Built in 1915, this San Francisco landmark has:

  • Huge Roman-style columns
  • A peaceful lagoon with swans
  • Beautiful dome architecture
  • Green gardens and trees
  • Quiet walking paths


The best part? It's beautiful any time of day, making it perfect for engagement photos.

Engaged couple under Palace of Fine Arts columns SF

For their first photos, Apoorva and Raj wore traditional Indian clothes. The Palace's grand design matched perfectly with their Indian outfits.


Pro tip: While golden hour (1-2 hour before sunset) is typically ideal for photos, don't feel limited by timing. With the right photography techniques and post-processing skills, we can create beautiful images at any time of day. What matters most is choosing a time that works best for your schedule!

Palace of Fine Arts engagement session architecture
Indian American engagement session Palace of Fine Arts
Couple walking Palace of Fine Arts gardens SF

Tips for Your Palace of Fine Arts Session


If you're planning your own engagement photos here, keep these tips in mind:


  1. Weekday sessions are less crowded than weekends
  2. Parking can be tricky - arrive early
  3. Bring comfortable shoes to walk between spots
  4. Consider bringing a second outfit to change into
  5. Check the weather forecast - San Francisco can be foggy


The Palace of Fine Arts offers a perfect mix of nature and architecture for engagement photos. As a San Francisco photographer, I love how this location gives couples both elegant and casual backgrounds in one place.


Ready to capture some unforgettable moments at the Palace of Fine Arts?

Let's chat and make it happen!

I'm Daria, a San Francisco based photographer and content creator specializing in SF City Hall weddings, engagements, and elopements. 
If you’re looking for a photographer who can bring your vision to life,
check out my City Hall page and reach out to discuss your ideas. I’m excited to capture your special moments and make them truly unforgettable!