Stephanie & Alan's Noguchi Garden Engagement

July 2024 · Noguchi Garden (California Scenario), Costa Mesa

A Costa Mesa Engagement Session with Tofu

Stephanie and Alan brought their fluffy white pup Tofu to their engagement session at Noguchi Garden, Isamu Noguchi's California Scenario sculpture garden in Costa Mesa. Dressed in soft whites and neutrals, they fit right into the garden's clean lines: sandstone walls, granite blocks, a redwood grove, a desert garden and the stone stream that leads to the granite pyramid. Tofu got his own photo shoot first, complete with a bandana change, then we photographed the three of them together before finishing with portraits of just the two of them. Here is their Noguchi Garden engagement session, photographed by One and Only Production.

Meet Tofu

Tofu was the star of the first few minutes. In a green polka-dot bandana and then a pink cherry blossom one, he trotted down the garden paths, smiled for the camera and posed against the white walls like a pro.

Tofu, a fluffy white dog in a green polka-dot bandana, sits on the garden path at Noguchi Garden.

Tofu trots toward the camera in his green bandana.

Tofu smiling on the walkway in front of the garden.

Tofu standing on the stone path with his tail up.

Tofu on his leash in front of the garden's textured ground cover.

Close-up of Tofu's pink cherry blossom bandana.

Portrait of Tofu in his cherry blossom bandana against a white wall.

Tofu on his leash in his cherry blossom bandana and harness, photographed by One and Only Production.

One on One with Tofu

Next, Stephanie and Alan each had a turn with Tofu. Stephanie's white outfit glowed against the granite blocks and white walls, while Alan's portraits with Tofu were full of treats, kisses and big smiles.

Stephanie holding Tofu in a white dress.

Stephanie standing on a granite block in front of the white walls of Noguchi Garden.

Black and white portrait of Stephanie on a granite block in the sculpture garden.

Detail of Stephanie's engagement ring as she sits on a granite block.

Stephanie seated on a granite block in her white two-piece outfit.

Stephanie kneels on a stone bench to greet Tofu beneath the trees.

Stephanie and Tofu on a stone bench under the trees.

Stephanie smiles as Tofu leans in for a kiss.

Alan kneels as Tofu stands up to greet him.

Tofu leans on Alan in his green bandana.

Alan crouches beside Tofu along the white wall.

Alan smiles while holding Tofu against the white wall.

Tofu grinning as Alan gives him a treat, photographed by One and Only Production.

A Family of Three at the California Scenario

Then we brought everyone together. The warm sandstone walls, the redwood grove and the granite pyramid gave the three of them a new backdrop at every stop, and Tofu was happy to be held, hugged and lifted for the camera.

Tofu sits at Stephanie and Alan's feet in his green bandana.

Stephanie, Alan and Tofu against the warm sandstone wall.

Alan and Stephanie hold Tofu up between them against the sandstone wall.

Stephanie, Alan and Tofu dwarfed by a tall sandstone sculpture at Noguchi Garden.

Alan and Stephanie touch foreheads while holding Tofu.

Stephanie, Alan and Tofu standing along the white wall.

Stephanie hugs Alan as Tofu peeks over his shoulder.

Stephanie and Alan smile with Tofu between them.

Stephanie and Alan walk Tofu past a boulder sculpture.

Stephanie, Alan and Tofu in front of the granite pyramid sculpture.

Alan and Stephanie lift Tofu in front of the granite pyramid.

Tofu waits on his leash while Stephanie sits on a granite block.

Close-up of Tofu held in Stephanie's arms.

Tofu smiling as Stephanie holds his paws.

Stephanie, Alan and Tofu beneath the towering redwoods on the lawn.

Wide view of the redwood grove and lawn with the family in the distance.

Detail of Stephanie's engagement ring as she pets Tofu.

Tofu sits between Stephanie and Alan on a bench, photographed by One and Only Production.

The Stream and the Granite Pyramid

We finished with just Stephanie and Alan. After a twirl in the desert garden and a few quiet moments against the white walls, we followed the stone stream to the granite pyramid, one of the most striking spots in the garden, for the final portraits.

Stephanie and Alan in the desert garden beneath a palo verde tree.

Alan twirls Stephanie in the desert garden.

Stephanie rests her ring hand on Alan's shoulder.

Stephanie sits on Alan's lap on a granite block.

Black and white photo of Stephanie and Alan at a granite block against the white wall.

Stephanie leans into Alan as he sits on the granite block, both laughing.

Stephanie and Alan nose to nose by the white wall.

Stephanie and Alan lean in for a kiss across the stream in front of the granite pyramid.

Stephanie leads Alan beside the stream channel at the granite pyramid.

Stephanie and Alan holding hands by the stream with the pyramid behind them.

Wide view of the couple at the end of the stone stream in the sculpture garden.

Stephanie and Alan kiss over the stream in front of the pyramid.

Stephanie and Alan walking hand in hand along the stream.

Stephanie and Alan seated at the base of the granite pyramid.

Stephanie and Alan sitting together on the edge of the pyramid.

Wide view of Stephanie and Alan seated at the pyramid above the stream.

Stephanie and Alan cuddle at the base of the pyramid, photographed by One and Only Production.

Planning a Noguchi Garden Engagement Session?

Noguchi Garden is small but full of variety, with bright white walls, warm sandstone, redwoods, a desert garden and a sculptural stream all within a short walk. Light, neutral outfits look beautiful against the stone, and the open plaza gets bright, so mornings or late afternoons are easiest. Because the garden sits among office buildings, check the current photography rules before you book. One and Only Production is a photo and video team based in West Covina, serving Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. If you are planning your engagement session, we would love to hear your story. You can also watch Stephanie and Alan's wedding film or see more of our work in our engagement portfolio.

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