Melissa van Ruiten Photography

That wisteria! 😍

A couple stands face to face, holding hands and smiling warmly at each other. The woman wears a sleeveless floral dress and has curly hair pulled up. The man wears glasses and a short-sleeved red corduroy shirt. They stand closely in front of tall green tropical leaves in a greenhouse setting.

A couple stands embraced in a lush greenhouse surrounded by hanging plants, large tropical leaves, and a wooden arch covered in greenery. The woman, wearing a floral dress, closes her eyes and leans her forehead gently against the man’s. The scene is framed by dense foliage and a mossy statue in the foreground.

A couple laughs together in a forested outdoor setting. The woman, wearing a cream-colored coat, leans back into the man’s arms while smiling widely. The man, wearing glasses and a striped shirt, smiles down at her with joy. Dappled sunlight filters through the trees in the background.

A couple stands arm in arm in front of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. The woman gently touches the man’s cheek as they smile at each other. Behind them, a red pagoda rises above a landscaped garden with a waterfall and pond. The sun peeks through tall trees in the background.

A love story told in tropical leaves, cozy cuddles, and one glorious greenhouse. From secret garden kisses to full-on laugh attacks, these two brought the sunshine, even in the shade.

📍Conservatory of Flowers + Japanese Tea Garden
#SanFrancisco #EngagementSession #WeddingPhotographer #Photography

Love that light!

That's Bixby Bridge! I know it well!

A couple stands closely together in front of a flowering tree with red blossoms. The man, wearing a maroon sweater, gently kisses the woman’s forehead. The woman, wearing a short-sleeved red top, has her eyes closed and a relaxed smile on her face. The man’s arms are wrapped around her from behind.

A couple stands facing each other in front of pink flowering trees. The woman, wearing a light pink dress, gently holds the man’s face in her hands and smiles at him. The man, in a light blue button-up shirt, smiles back. An engagement ring is visible on the woman’s hand.

A couple smiles at each other while standing outdoors with blurred green and red foliage in the foreground. The woman, wearing a light pink dress, has her hands resting on the man’s shoulders. The man, in a light blue shirt, holds her waist. The woman’s engagement ring is clearly visible.

A couple stands on a path in a wooded area near a pond with tall green grass and lily pads. The man, wearing a maroon sweater and jeans, hugs the woman, who is wearing a red top and jeans. Their reflection is visible in the still water in the foreground. The woman smiles warmly at the camera.

🌺 Blooms? Check. Forehead kisses? Check. Fiancés in love? Double check.
💘 Featuring: smitten grins, soft curls, a ring that deserves its own spotlight, and a cameo by their reflection (yes, they're that cute twice).

#EngagedAndAdorable #SanFranciscoBotanicalGarden #EngagementSession #Photography

Couple jumping on hotel bed with robes on, engagement photos

Your love story is as unique as you are.
Dare to tell it your way. 💖

#UniqueLoveStory #BeYou #WeddingInspo #engagementphotographer

Thanks! And thanks for the encouragement!

Five vibrant red Chinese lanterns strung high above the street. Brick buildings covered in fire escapes are visible in the background.

The sun shines down through several multi-colored paper lanterns hung over an alleyway.

A reflection of several multi-colored Chinese paper lanterns is visible in a window on the bottom floor of building.

Two long, red Chinese lanterns hang from a blue fire escape. The sun is casting a shadow on the building the fire escape is attached to that looks like several diagonal lines.

I haven’t really done a lot of street photography for the sake of just doing it, but I took a little stroll through SF’s Chinatown the other day with my buddy, @fuzyjoe.bsky.social. I was really delighted with the pops of color all the lanterns added to the day.
#LoveLettersToSF #StreetPhotography

The couple stands beneath large, sprawling trees with golden autumn leaves, laughing as the man wraps his arms around the woman. She wears a floral off-the-shoulder dress and brown ankle boots, leaning into him with a bright smile. The man, in a cream sweater and jeans, looks at her affectionately. The ground is covered in fallen leaves, creating a cozy, romantic setting.

A close-up portrait of the couple gazing into each other’s eyes with joyful smiles. The woman’s hand rests gently on the man's face, showcasing an engagement ring. She wears a floral dress and gold necklaces, while he has a short gray beard and wears a soft knit sweater. The blurred autumn background enhances the warm and intimate moment.

A couple walks hand in hand along a scenic bridge surrounded by autumn foliage. The woman, wearing a fitted brown dress and ankle boots, laughs joyfully while looking at the man. The man, dressed in a plaid shirt and jeans, smiles as he playfully leans forward. The background features a hilly landscape with golden grass and trees with vibrant orange leaves.

I can't wait to photograph this fun-loving couple's spring wedding on Lake Tahoe!

Are you planning a wedding? Let's chat! Now booking Summer + Fall (limited) weddings for 2025 and all of 2026!

#SFBayAreaWeddingPhotographer #TahoeWeddingPhotographer #WeddingPhotography #EngagementPhotography

Throwback to this adorable oceanside engagement session in Davenport, CA.

Have you gotten engaged recently? Let's chat!

#CaliforniaWeddingPhotographer #EngagementPhotography #California #SanFranciscoBayAreaPhotographer #CaliforniaLove

Thank you so much! They were a fantastic couple to work with!

Can’t wait to meet this precious baby in a few weeks!

I’d definitely love to be added!

Have you seen the newest one??

Are you planning an #engagement? Or maybe you already said yes? Either way, let's talk #photos!

#sfbayarea #engagementsession #engagementphotographer #sanfranciscophotographer #pointreyes

I'm glad!

Sara and Chris said “I do!”

The first wedding of 2025 set the bar HIGH, y’all. It was such a blast!

#SanFranciscoWedding #DestinationWedding #SanFranciscoWeddingPhotographer #SFBayAreaPhotographer

I don’t think I could’ve dreamed of a more perfect day for Travis and Bryce’s engagement session! Start to finish—stunning.

#pointlobos #coastalengagementsession #sfbayareaphotographer #sanfranciscophotographer #sanfranciscoengagementphotographer #carmelengagement #carmelengagementphotographer

Maybe nature isn’t your jam, but that’s A-OK! San Francisco can have some dreamy engagement vibes, too!

Now booking 2025 + 2026 elopements, weddings, and engagement sessions! Let’s chat!

#sanfrancisco #pier7 #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #sanfranciscoengagementphotographer

“Wherever is yout heart, I call home.”

It’s no secret that I love vibrant color, but sometimes an image just begs for the black and white treatment. Because in the end, it’s all about letting the emotion of a moment shine.

#engagementphotographer #engagementsession #sfbayareaweddingphotographer

Emily and Kevin's engagement session at Muir Beach was such a beautiful day filled with laughter, romance, and stunning views. These two were absolute naturals in front of the camera and their love for each other is truly infectious.

Now booking 2024 + 2025 elopements, weddings, and sessions!

It’s officially #sayyesseason! Did your special someone pop THE question over the holidays? I’m a sucker for a good story, so I’d love to hear all about it!

Now booking 2025 + 2026 elopements, weddings, and engagement sessions! Let’s chat! 😊

#sfbayareaweddingphotographer

A couple are holding hands and walking along Sutro baths, silhouetted by a golden sunset. Their reflection is mirrored in the water below.

Planning a new adventure?

Finding a photographer that vibes with the vision of your big day can be a daunting task. That’s why every wedding collection I offer includes an engagement session. It’s a great sneak peek of how much fun we’ll have on your wedding day!
#sanfranciscobayareaphotographer