About the project

Planning a styled engagement shoot is about so much more than choosing a pretty location or showing up with a camera. For my sister’s engagement photos, I wanted to create something that felt intentional, elevated, and deeply personal, while still giving her a relaxed and fun experience. She has never been someone who wants to do things the same way everyone else does, so this session needed to feel different in a way that was effortless, not forced, and luxurious without being overdone.

Because they were living in Phoenix at the time and preparing to move back home to Alaska and get married almost immediately after arriving, this shoot became a way to document that chapter of their life. Arizona was a place they shared together, and I wanted their engagement photos to feel rooted in that season, not just visually but emotionally.

One of the first things I focused on was the overall concept. I knew I wanted something timeless and classic, but with a little edge and personality. A vintage car felt like the perfect anchor for the session, so I spent time researching classic car rental companies in the area until I found JenzBenzAZ. From the first interaction to the actual pickup, the experience was seamless, professional, and genuinely enjoyable. We rented a classic Thunderbird, and it instantly set the tone for the entire shoot. It added structure, movement, and that expensive, editorial feel without overwhelming the images.

Location was just as important. I wanted a place that gave us variety without needing to move around too much, especially since the shoot itself was planned to be fairly short. Papago Park was the obvious choice. The palm trees, the water from the lake, and the red rock formations in the background gave us multiple looks in one location, all within walking distance. It felt very Arizona, but still soft and romantic, which was exactly what my sister wanted.

Timing was everything. I planned the session to start just before sunset so we could capture daytime images with softer light, transition into golden hour, and then finish with flash photography once it got dark. In just about an hour and a half, we were able to create three completely different moods. The earlier images felt airy and romantic, sunset gave us warmth and movement, and the nighttime flash shots added drama and polish. That kind of variety makes a gallery feel full and intentional without feeling chaotic.

While my sister already had her dress picked out, I handled the rest of the styling details. I brought champagne, vintage-inspired glasses, a veil, sunglasses, and a few other small props that elevated the experience without distracting from them. These pieces weren’t meant to feel like props for the sake of props, but rather subtle additions that encouraged interaction and gave them something to do with their hands, which always helps couples relax.

During the shoot, my focus was on guiding them in a way that felt natural and laid back. I posed them when needed, but more importantly, I prompted them in ways that created movement, laughter, and connection. I wanted them to feel like they were just spending time together, not performing for the camera. The result was images that feel candid and alive, but still polished and intentional.

This session was never about trends or recreating something I had seen online. It was about honoring who my sister is, documenting a meaningful chapter of their life in Arizona, and creating images that would still feel timeless years from now. When they moved back to Alaska and got married almost immediately, these photos became a marker of that transition, a way to remember their time in the desert before starting their next chapter at home.

As a Southeast Alaska wedding photographer who also works with destination couples, this shoot perfectly reflects how I approach planning and photographing engagement sessions. I went to college in Phoenix, I got married there myself, and I know the area deeply. Whether you are living in Arizona, planning a destination wedding, or simply want engagement photos that feel elevated, intentional, and a little unexpected, I love helping couples create something that feels like them from start to finish.

how we helped

→ Researched and secured a classic Thunderbird from JenzBenzAZ to anchor the session with a timeless, luxury element
→ Selected Papago Park to provide palm trees, water, and red rock scenery all in one location
→ Scheduled the shoot just before sunset to capture daytime, golden hour, and nighttime flash images within one session
→ Styled the shoot with champagne, glasses, a veil, sunglasses, and intentional accessories to elevate the experience
→ Posed and prompted the couple in a relaxed, natural way to keep the session fun and effortless
→ Designed the session to feel editorial and expensive while still being comfortable and laid back