Dreamy Desert Couple Portraits in Joshua Tree, California

I can confidently say that Joshua Tree is one of the most photogenic places, and makes everyone who visits feel beautiful and empowered. I spent a couple years living there and experienced it first hand. Intense terrain and temperatures, unique landscapes, wildlife and plants, and a feeling that felt like no other.

Though, at this time last summer, I had made the decision to move to Minnesota, so when Clarice and Lee reached out for me to take their portraits, I was so excited, not only because they were a fellow long-distance couple, but also because I had dreamed of taking gorgeous couple photos in the rugged high desert before leaving. It was perfect timing.

I choose the Indian Cove Campground, right outside the National Park, for their session, and picked golden hour for that prime desert light. When the day came, it absolutely poured down all day until just 20 minutes before the shoot. We got very lucky, although I would have photographed them in the rain just as much.

There’s something really beautiful about capturing photos of strangers, having them open up and express who they are to me to photograph. It’s a constant back and forth of trust, them just living the moment and me capturing it.

The photos turned out beautiful and I wanted to share many of them here. My bags will always be packed for anyone who wants their photos taken in Joshua Tree.