Engagement Session at Lafayette Hotel

There are some locations that feel less like a venue and more like a stage—and The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego is exactly that. The moment you walk in, it’s like being transported into a technicolor dream from another era. You can almost hear the clink of cocktail glasses and the soft crackle of a Sinatra record playing in the background. So when Kyra and David reached out about doing their engagement session there, I knew we were in for something unforgettable. Enjoy this iconic engagement session at the Lafayette Hotel in San Diego California shot by David of Swidrak & Co.

PHOTOGRAPHY / Swidrak & Co. VENUE / Lafayette Hotel, San Diego DRESS / For Love & Lemons

Kyra has this effortless, Old Hollywood kind of glamour wearing a chic satin little white dress from For Love & Lemons. David has this cool, understated energy that balances her out perfectly. Together, they looked right at home in the Lafayette’s gaudy, eclectic decor—think patterned carpets, moody lighting, and more mirrors than a funhouse. Every corner of that place oozes character, and we made it our playground.

David, of Swidrak & Co., leaned heavily into direct flash film photography for this session—an aesthetic that feels both raw and intentional, like a candid moment frozen in time. There’s something about film that adds grit and glow all at once—perfect for a place like the Lafayette, where every surface has a story.

Kyra and David’s engagement session at The Lafayette Hotel was more than just a photoshoot—it was a celebration of bold style, vibrant energy, and the kind of love that feels effortless and electric. Between the lush textures, vintage lighting, and unapologetically over-the-top decor, this session felt like stepping into a timeless, cinematic world. It was the perfect setting for a couple who isn’t afraid to make a statement—and a reminder that the best love stories are the ones that feel entirely your own.