Sunrise Desert Engagement Session - Joshua Tree, California - Sarah + Stavros
This sunrise Joshua Tree engagement shoot was a beautiful way to explore the desert with Sarah + Stavros, and strategically avoid the 100+ degree days JT is known for! Part of any session is helping my clients feel as comfortable as possible. I know that dripping in sweat, worrying about makeup running, and feeling your face flush with heat isn’t the ideal way to do that. Instead of planning engagement shoots in the evenings during the desert’s hottest months, I suggest shooting at sunrise! This provides that glowy, flattering, golden-hour lighting but temperatures will be much more moderate. If sunrise isn’t your jam, you could split your session between the desert landscape and a mod Palm Springs pool photoshoot or visit during a cooler time of year, like April or October.
Scroll on to see a few of my favorite photos we captured at Sarah + Stavros’ session!
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Engagement shoot outfits
For their engagement shoot, Sarah wore a flattering ankle-length white dress with straps that tied over the shoulders, tan flat sandals, and a really classic makeup look highlighted with a red lip. Stavros kept things classic, too, wearing grey slacks with a white short-sleeve button-down shirt, black and white classic sneakers, and a black watch. Some couples worry about wearing white for their engagement photos, thinking it may come off too similar to wedding attire, but I think Sarah + Stavros absolutely nailed it!
I absolutely loved getting to work with Sarah and Stavros. Photographing their engagement session was such a fun adventure + these two are the sweetest people! I loved the way their sunrise session felt so cozy and intimate - it really reflected their soft-spoken natures and the quiet but encompassing love you can tell they feel for each other!
If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’re interested in having photos taken in Joshua Tree! Hit the Contact button below to be taken to my inquiry page (it’ll take less than 2 minutes to fill out!) or grab a totally free planning starter kit below to hit the ground running on dreaming up your elopement day.
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More desert photo goodness:
Planning a Joshua Tree Elopement | Planning a Moab, UT Elopement
See Bry + RJ’s Destination Wedding in Las Vegas (with a sunrise first look!)
Tony + Joy’s Joshua Tree Elopement with a Chinese Tea Ceremony