When Sophia and Ryan booked their trip to Arizona from Kentucky, they had no idea their time here would be so unforgettable and not just because of the cactus-studded views or golden desert sunsets. These two decided to celebrate their engagement in the most adventurous way: with a destination photo session during their first-ever trip to the Southwest.
Sophia reached out to me after Googling fun engagement photo sessions in Arizona, and let me just say…I’m so glad she did. From the moment I read her story, I could tell this was going to be something special. She shared how she and Ryan technically met in high school, but they weren’t close then. Fast forward a few years, Sophia spotted a photo of Ryan on Instagram. He was looking a little different in his Navy uniform than he did back in school, and she couldn’t resist sliding into his DMs. The rest is history.
Their love story is one of those “meant-to-be” moments, and it totally showed in how they interacted during our session. Playful, flirty, and full of laughs one minute… and then melting into the softest, most tender moments the next. They told me they wanted their photos to reflect both the fun and the romance. And let me tell you, that’s exactly what we captured.
The Arizona desert gave us everything we hoped for…dreamy golden light, those wide open skies, and the warm tones that just wrap around a couple like a blanket. Watching Sophia and Ryan dance in the Arizona desert and share quiet glances as the sun dipped below the horizon was one of those moments that makes me fall in love with photography all over again.
They’re tying the knot back home in November. But I love that they chose to do something different and unique for this part of their story. A desert engagement session is such a fun twist when most couples stay close to home, and now they’ve got these memories of Arizona to hold onto forever.
Sophia and Ryan, thank you for trusting me to be a part of your adventure. I hope every time you look back at these golden hour moments, you’re reminded of this sweet chapter you’re in and all the beauty that’s still ahead.