Formal Desert Engagement Photos at Golden Hour - Katie and Lior - Desert Wedding Photographer
Somehow a place that was so familiar for Katie became the backdrop to the biggest surprise.
Last winter on a trip back to North Carolina to visit Katie’s family, her (now) fiance, Lior, proposed on the beach! Katie and Lior met several years ago as co-workers, both passionate about the music industry. From co-workers they became friends, and from friends, they eventually began dating, and before long it was clear that they were absolutely perfect for each other. Katie had been hoping for a while that he’d pop the question soon, but was totally caught off guard - she never thought it’d be on that beach, on that trip, on that day!
She said yes (obviously!) and when she reached out to me to shoot their engagement photos I could NOT have been more thrilled and honored! The first place that came to mind for them was Joshua Tree National Park. Lior and Katie love adventuring to the Mojave desert of Joshua Tree, a getaway just two hours east of Los Angeles with tons of antique shops, unique handcrafted goods like the Crochet museum, and western-style saloons like Pappy and Harriet’s, in nearby Pioneertown.
Since the two will be getting married in San Miguel, CA, a town in San Luis Obispo County about ten miles north of Paso Robles, taking engagement photos in Joshua Tree meant incorporating place that means so much to them into this next chapter as a married couple.
The desert around us was incredibly windy, really highlighting Katie’s dress and giving their shoot this super romantic vibe. As the sun set over the desert the two threw their heads back in laughter, wrapped up in each others’ arms, and made Joshua Tree look wild and free in the way only two people madly in love really ever could. Scroll down to see some of my favorite images from running around the Mojave Desert for Katie + Lior’s engagement photos!
The future thanks you: when you take engagement, elopement, or wedding photos in Joshua Tree or anywhere else, be sure to Leave No Trace. As part of that, it’s important to be a good steward of special places like Joshua Tree by following proper photo regulations. Stay updated on the park’s permit fees + policies on their Special Use Permit page.
p.s. want more desert goodness? see this southern Utah shoot in Arches National Park or this adventurous hiking sunrise elopement shoot in Canyonlands!
Katie’s silky emerald green dress with spaghetti straps was such a hit! This was a beautiful option for an elevated and formal engagement shoot outfit. I loved the textural contrast it brought to the sandy desert floor, yucca trees, and massive tan boulders. The wind really highlighted the material, and I thought the way the dress really moved played so well with Lior’s look! For the first outfit he wore a classic white button-down matching his high-top converse, and black pants that popped against the tan and beige colors of the desert. If he’d worn something more colorful, it might have clashed or competed with Katie’s dress, so this was the PERFECT combination. The two outfits together feel fun, playful, and classic + best of all, showcase the couples’ personalities!
For the second outfit at their engagement shoot, Katie wore a full-length red dress. The top was a silky material and the skirt was layered with a sheer, tulle-like fabric! It gave the dress a ton of dimension and movement which was fantastic from a photography perspective. My sister is a redhead so I know full well that not every redhead feels that they can totally rock a red outfit, but it’s clear to say that’s not the case with Katie!
Her red dress really brought out her hair color in such a beautiful way, and against the desert backdrop it made her features and gorgeous skintone glow! Lior’s second outfit paralleled Katie’s in the elevated “wow” factor. A long sleeve black-button down with black pants and brown leather boots (I believe these are brogues) with the just-right amount of wear really gave the couple an overall very modern, editorial feel! I couldn’t resist taking a few moments for some photos with a slightly more serious, editorial feel to match the more formal looks and it totally paid off. This also gave us some more variety in their gallery! We captured tons of romantic photos that highlight the couples’ connection and love for each other, funny and playful photos that bring out the way they make each other laugh, and to top it off, we got some of those more edgy, Vogue or GQ -inspired shots where the two look ready to walk a red carpet!
Katie + Lior were SUCH a joy to work with and I’m so thankful for my friendship with such kind, adventurous, loving people. As we hiked along desert trails, wove between massive boulders and saw a breathtaking sunset it was definitely another “pinch me” moment. I’m so grateful to work with the sweetest people in some of the prettiest places on earth! Katie + Lior, if you’re reading this: thank you for trusting me to capture these moments for you during this amazing chapter in your lives!
for more desert inspired engagement shoot tips, outfits, and location ideas:
For more desert engagement goodness, see this super playful Palm Springs shoot with Marissa + Alex by the iconic windmills, Jeremiah + Lauren’s adventurous hiking engagement shoot at Vasquez Rocks, and Sarah + Stavros’ sunrise engagement shoot in JTNP.
Or head here to see more engagements from places like Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, and beyond!
hire me to guide you around the desert + take awesome engagement photos! here’s how:
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