Sunset Engagement Session at El Matador State Beach in Malibu

If these two look familiar, it’s because they should! Donovan is my brother-in-law, and he is going to marry this gorgeous babe (Stephanie) in a few months! They got engaged during the holidays last year, and we decided to do their engagement photos while on our family vacation in Malibu this summer. I’m so glad we did - those California sunsets are unmatched, and we had such a great time. We won’t be photographing the wedding (because we’re IN the wedding - Aubrey, Elsie, and I all get to be a part of it and we are so honored🥹), so I’m really stoked we were able to do these!

I absolutely cannot wait to stand by these two in March as they make it official in Arizona. It already feels like Stephanie (aka “Aunt Stephy”) is part of our family, but I’m so excited to share a last name!

xoxo
Lauren

Featured - Arches National Park Engagement Session!

Y’all. This engagement session was one for the books. I’ll never ever ever forget it - the scenery alone in Arches is incredible, but throw in the world’s sweetest couple and some unpredictable Moab weather and you’ve got the most ridiculously epic set of engagement photos. I’m so stoked that they were recently featured on the Wandering Weddings blog, and I wanted to share a few here as well!

(Click the link above OR the photo below to find the feature)

Featured on the Wandering Weddings blog!

I’m still so giddy to see it featured - Aubrey and I couldn’t get over the skies we lucked out with that day! We scouted out tons of incredible locations in both Canyonlands & Arches National Parks, and landed on Arches for our couple. I’m so glad that Kaelee & Bryson trusted us to come up with the perfect itinerary for them, because it totally worked out to give us this unforgettable experience together.

I spent a ton of time researching photography permits in Arches National Park before this session to ensure that we covered all our bases and also followed Leave No Trace. Also, the weather was super gnarly and while it made for some EPIC photos, it’s worth mentioning that you should always always always prepare for unpredictable conditions. We had rain (it actually flooded in Moab that day), lightning, and then a surprise double rainbow. Make sure to prepare accordingly if you’re planning an engagement session at Arches National Park! And, as always, please be respectful of our National Parks and all that they have to offer. Read up on hiking in Arches and leaving everything better than you found it.

Many thanks to Wandering Weddings for the beautiful feature! I’m so honored to have these on the blog!!

xoxo
Lauren

Joshua Tree Sunset Anniversary Session

Aubrey and I met Allison & Blake several years ago when we did their engagement session in/around Asheville NC, and it wound up being a kind of pivotal session for my career. I knew that I loved bringing people to my favorite places and immersing them in the magic of the forest, the smell of the trees, and the feel of the mountain air. But it wasn’t until I took Allison & Blake all around the Blue Ridge Parkway that I realized that’s what I want to do for ALL of my couples. Something clicked with me that day, and it was one of the first times I had the feeling that I could do sessions like theirs forever.

We shot their gorgeous wedding in Atlanta the following year, and we’ve stayed in touch on social media since then. When I announced we were relocating to Las Vegas, Allison reached out to see if I’d be up for an anniversary session in Joshua Tree during their vacation, and I’m not sure I’ve ever said yes so quickly!

I love these two - they are a couple of the easiest people to photograph and just to be with, in general. Not to mention, Joshua Tree is an absolute must-have, bucket-list location. You just can’t even fathom how amazing it is until you see it. The light: unreal. The landscape: otherworldly. The night sky?! ridiculous. We were able to hang out a little while past dark for some night shots, which was so rad (and also took a lot of patience - thanks again, y’all)! I will gladly do anniversary sessions for them every single year that they want them.

Planning a Joshua Tree elopement or engagement session? I can help! Joshua Tree requires a photography permit, and I take care of securing all of that for my couples. I also help with planning, finding great vendors, and making sure that everyone knows and adheres to Leave No Trace ethics while we’re out. Reach out to plan your session!