ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE GARDENS OF SANTA CLOTILDE, COSTA BRAVA

There is a place on the Costa Brava that most couples never find.

One hour from Barcelona, perched above the Mediterranean, hidden behind iron gates in Lloret de Mar — the Gardens of Santa Clotilde are one of the most romantic and most overlooked locations on this entire coastline. And for couples who discover it, it becomes the obvious choice for their engagement session or surprise proposal.

C & S found it. And the moment we arrived, I remembered exactly why I keep coming back.

Designed in the Italian Renaissance style in 1919, the Jardins de Santa Clotilde descend in terraced levels toward the Mediterranean. Classical stone statues, sculpted hedgerows, cypress-lined paths, and at the end of every staircase — an uninterrupted view of the sea.

Elegant without being formal. Romantic without being overdone. And on analog film, simply extraordinary.

The warm tones of Kodak Portra 400 and the garden's ancient stone and deep greens create images that feel less like photographs and more like paintings. Timeless, luminous, completely removed from the modern world. This is exactly what film does to a place like this — it honours it.

Most couples planning a Costa Brava session think immediately of Cadaqués or Cap de Creus. Both are beautiful. But Santa Clotilde offers something different — intimacy, architecture, and a quality of light that is genuinely unlike anywhere else on this coast.

The terraced layout means you are never in the same spot twice. The cypress alleys frame couples naturally. The stone balustrades and classical statues give every image a sense of place and history. And because it sits slightly off the main tourist trail, the gardens feel — even in peak season — like they belong to you alone.

I have photographed couples here in every season, at every time of day. The location never disappoints. But golden hour — that last hour before sunset when the light turns warm and low and the sea beyond the terraces catches fire — is when it becomes truly magical.

The gardens are approximately one hour from Barcelona by car, making them a perfect half-day escape for couples based in the city or visiting the Costa Brava.

A session typically takes in the main terraced staircase, the cypress alleys, the classical fountain, and the lower terraces overlooking the sea — all within a relaxed two hours. I plan every session around the specific light conditions for your date, arriving early to find the quietest corners and the best angles.

Everything is captured on analog film — medium format Kodak Portra 400, developed at Carmencita Film Lab in Valencia. The results have a warmth and depth that digital cannot replicate. In twenty years, these images will not feel dated. They will feel like heirlooms.

Sessions at the Gardens of Santa Clotilde start from €800 and include two hours of film photography, location planning, outfit consultation, and a private online gallery delivered within two weeks.

Location: Jardins de Santa Clotilde, Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain

Distance from Barcelona: Approximately 75km, one hour by car

Best time of day: Golden hour — the last hour before sunset

What to wear: Timeless, elegant clothing in soft neutral tones — creams, ivory, sage, dusty rose. Flowing fabrics photograph beautifully on film against the stone and greenery

Tickets: The gardens require an entrance ticket — I handle all logistics and planning in advance

Whether you are dreaming of a surprise proposal above the Mediterranean or a relaxed golden hour session together — I would love to help you plan it.

I photograph couples across Barcelona, the Costa Brava, Mallorca and throughout Europe. The Gardens of Santa Clotilde are one of my most requested locations, and dates fill quickly.