Hannah and Cody flew in from South Dakota for a quick weekend escape to Arizona. Since they were new to the area, we decided to head out to the Arizona desert at the White Tanks for their engagement photos, giving them a taste of something different from their hometown scenery. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side that weekend as we were greeted with gloomy, cloudy skies instead of the usual sunny Arizona weather. Despite missing out on the typical Arizona charm, Hannah and Cody were determined to make the most of their getaway.

As we ventured into the desert, we could still see the gorgeous White Tank mountains, providing a stunning Arizona desert backdrop for our photoshoot. It was truly a magical sight, creating the perfect ambiance for capturing their love story. Hannah and Cody’s story is as unique as their surroundings. They first crossed paths four years ago in the Army National Guard during the Minneapolis riots of 2020. Talk about a memorable meet-cute!

Although they both continue to serve in the National Guard, they’ve since pursued different career paths—Hannah as a nurse and Cody in corrections. While I typically send out questionnaires before engagement sessions, I’ve come to realize that the best part is getting to know the couple’s story firsthand. There’s something special about hearing how they met, and it always adds an extra layer of connection during our time together.