This past week, I was down at the last Showit United ever, but I knew that while I was down there I got to photograph this desert engagement session! If you’ve been here any time at all, you would know that I live in the deserts of Washington, but anytime I can go down to Phoenix, I am more than willing to do so. It just so happened that while I was going to be down in Phoenix for my conference, Mansel and Rita would be around town too. These two originally met up at Washington State University, but now live down in Phoenix. I reached out to them when I found out I would have some extra time besides my conference, and they were MORE than willing to meet up! They are getting married next summer in Chelan, and I thought this would be the most perfect time to get to know each other a little bit more, so that portraits on the wedding day would be SO easy!!

I had so much fun shooting around the motel we stayed at for the conference. One perk of having the conference in the same spot is that I had a pretty good idea of all the good spots on site at the Marriot Tempe on the Buttes.  We walked around the motel, and used some of my favorites spots, but ended the session at the top of the hill to the side of the motel. It was a little bit of a hike, but it was so cool to see the sunset from the top. It’s definitely one of the best views in Phoenix and I would recommend it to ANYONE wanted to see a great view of the desert.

These two met during their time at WSU, and knew that they wanted to have their WSU sweaters in some of their photos, so we did that. They also wanted their sweet pup, Apache, in their photos. He stole the show during the shoot, inviting everyone over for pets with his happy waggling tail. He was the best hype pup!

After their engagement session, I’m so excited for these two’s wedding next year in Chelan. It’s going to be one beautiful day!!!

See another desert engagement session here!