Let me start by saying: 6 AM sessions are not for everyone...
...but they are some of my favorite to do.
I'm not a morning person myself, but there’s just something about sunrise sessions... the still of the city, the quiet before the rest of the world unfolds. I'm especially partial to the lack of crowds basically anywhere, and you get this gorgeous light all to yourself.
I photographed this engagement session in early April right when the garden opened, and honestly, it was kind of the perfect time. The weather was still cool, the only people there were a handful of employees and morning walkers, and the lighting was so good. That early morning light out there is soft, glowy, and really just does its thing.
Desert Botanical Garden is such a beautiful spot for photos if you want that dreamy desert feel without having to hike out somewhere super far. The only additional fee to shoot there is admission for each member of the party — so for example, if it’s a couple session, that would be admission for both of you plus me.
What made this one extra special for me, though, was the couple themselves.
I’ve had the chance to photograph C & T a few times now, and it’s genuinely been such an honor getting to capture so many milestones for them over the years: from college graduation photos, to anniversary photos, and now their engagement. Getting to document people through different seasons of life like that is one of my favorite parts of what I do. It means a lot to be trusted with those memories again and again.
And these two were not only incredibly sweet - they were very obviously best friends, too. You could feel it in the way they made each other laugh, how comfortable they were with each other, and just how natural everything felt. That kind of connection always makes a session even more special to photograph.
If you’ve been thinking about doing engagement photos at Desert Botanical Garden, sunrise is such a good choice - especially in the spring before it gets too hot and the flowers start closing. The light is beautiful, the weather is usually still comfortable that early, and the whole place has a really peaceful feel before it gets busy.
