5 Locations For Your Desert Engagement Photos
Now I might be a little biased here, but Palm Springs has to be one of the coolest and most versatile places to capture your engagement photos. And no one does laid-back, stylish desert vibes better than Palm Springs. The best part? Planning your desert engagement photos doesn’t have to mean saddling up and riding out to the middle of nowhere in your western chic outfits (although I’m kind of obsessed with this idea too…). We can capture that desert magic right in the heart of Palm Springs, making our way through different desert-inspired venues to maximize your session so you walk away with a seriously unique gallery of unforgettable shots. From cactus gardens to chic western bars and everywhere in between, read on to find my hidden gems throughout Palm Springs that are full of those desert vibes you’re looking for….
Moorten Botanical Gardens
What would desert engagement photos be without a few cacti?! At Moorten Botanical Gardens you can capture all that desert foliage in one place with thousands of different plants sourced from around the world. The gardens are impeccably designed and conveniently puts all that desert beauty in one place. The original owners who carefully curated the gardens were even sought out by celebrities like Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and more to create backyard oases at their desert homes. So yeah, these guys are the real deal. The botanical gardens make it easy to create iconic desert engagement photos, and on the off chance we get a rainy day, the indoor greenhouse is the perfect place to seek some shelter and continue shooting. There is a small entrance fee per person to access the gardens, and the owners recommend contacting them in advance if you plan to have a photoshoot at the botanical gardens or palm grove oasis.
Palm Springs Visitor Center
Surprised to see this one on the list? Choosing the main drag of the downtown area doesn’t mean we can’t still capture all the desert vibes. Starting off at the Palm Springs Visitors Center, we can snag some of those essential desert engagement photos with palm trees and mountain views without having to go far. This is the perfect stop for couples wanting those simple, classic desert engagement photos without the hassles of outdoor adventuring. Plus, we can grab some cute tourist-y shots at the Palm Springs welcome sign for fun!
Aesthetic Bars
Venture down N. Palm Canyon Drive a bit and we’ll hit some seriously rad aesthetic bars. One of my favorites has to be Boozehounds, a desert-vibes- meets -western- chic bar with retro design details and killer cocktails. The perfect spot to grab a drink (the frozen Moscow mule is a must-try!) and cozy up in the lounge for some date night inspired shots. If you have your heart set on bringing your furry friend along to participate, Boozehounds welcomes pups on their patio and even has a food menu specifically for them. How adorable is that?! Keep in mind, whenever we book a spot like this it’s important to ALWAYS reach out for permission and inquire about photo fees beforehand!
Old Las Palmas Neighborhood
Originally a picturesque citrus grove, this chic Palm Springs neighborhood was once a Hollywood hotspot during the roaring twenties. An eclectic and beautiful mixture of modern and Spanish-style homes, this neighborhood was once inhabited by icons like Elizabeth Taylor and Judy Garland. In addition to its star-studded history, this area also includes blocks of the design district and is a short walk to downtown Palm Springs. Here we can take advantage of the palm-tree lined streets, colorful walls, unique architecture and rolling hills framing the background to achieve that desert engagement photo aesthetic you’re looking for.
ACE Hotel + Nearby Spots
Another favorite you might recognize from my “top 12 boutique hotels in palm springs for engagement photos” post, the ACE Hotel in Palm Springs is too good not to mention again. This modern minimalist hotel and pool club in the shadows of the San Jacintos mountains is a desert oasis dream. This is the ideal spot to explore the surrounding areas and find hidden gems with street art, towering cactuses, old-world architecture and palm tree lined streets for some unique desert engagement photos. Plus, the hotel doesn’t charge any photo fees to shoot on the property, so it’s a no-brainer for couples wanting those modern and artistic desert vibes. We’ll be sure to stop at the on-site retro desert diner, King’s Highway, for a few fun shots!
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s more than just a one-size-fits-all solution to creating the ideal desert engagement photo aesthetic. One of my favorite parts about being a wedding + engagement photographer is seeing how trends evolve and how my couples add their own personal touches to create an aesthetic as unique as their love. Have a vision for your engagement session but not sure how to bring it to life? As an expert stylist and experienced photographer, I can help you transform an idea into the perfect location, outfits, and vibe, creating your dream desert engagement photos.
Learn more about booking with me for the 2023 season and get to know a little more about me and my style here!
