LR Photography | Gorgeous Elopement Inspiration in Joshua Tree, CA

It was a warm April day when I arrived in Joshua Tree to take photos of Safeena and Christopher. The sun was out, the sky was blue, the air was calm and I knew it was going to be a great day. The desert landscape in Joshua Tree National Park, which is located about an hour away from Palm Springs, is like no other place on earth. It's literally a forest of Joshua trees, sparsely distanced from each other. Some grow tall, some stay small, and some bend downward until they touch the ground. It's like being in a Dr. Seuss book.

I was also very excited because I was shooting exclusively with my film camera. Shooting with film captures light and space differently than my digital camera, and I knew that the landscape and the couple would look wonderful through the lens.

The photo shoot started with detail shots, going through the beautiful flower arrangements, the ring, invitations, and some of the landscape. Once we went into Joshua Tree National Park and I started photographing the couple, the day really opened up. The camera loved them and there was so much chemistry and affection between the two love birds. The soft glow of the desert made everything shine perfectly, and we moved through a few locations as the sun went from high in the sky to settle to the west.

There was a real sweetness to this couple. My second favorite photos are when Safeena is looking straight into the camera, her kind eyes bright and confident. My favorite photos are when they are looking at each other. You could tell that Christopher really appreciated her and cherished her strong beauty. The two met in Los Angeles a couple of years ago, and they both share a love of music, which I'm sure you can tell because he brought his guitar along.

Our day ended as the light began to fade. I put my Contax away, gave the couple a big hug and drove home with a smile on my face. It had been a wonderful day, and even though I would have to wait a week or two to get my film developed, I knew the photos would come out great.