Playful + Fun Palm Springs Engagement photos - Marissa + Alex | Palm Springs Destination Wedding Photographer
playful palm springs engagement photos
Palm Springs is the perfect place for playful, fun engagement photos! For Marissa and Alex - a couple known to their friends for their silly, carefree personalities and larger-than-life laughs - Palm Springs was an awesome place for an engagement shoot. It was insanely windy but luckily, Marissa and Alex were unfazed by it, and it honestly made for THE MOST romantic golden hour photos! With the sun setting behind them, windmills churning away in the distance, these two laughed, ran, danced, twirled, and kissed (and there were even a few piggyback rides!) til the last bit of light left. It was an epic adventure with two hilarious, amazing, wholehearted people and I LOVE how the photos really show their personalities.
I was so excited editing their sneak peeks I couldn’t wait to create a blog post - check back later to see an updated version with even more!
my biggest piece of advice for an engagement shoot:
Before their shoot Marissa and Alex met up with me at El Jefe Desert Cantina at The Saguaro Hotel for margaritas. The plan was to catch up for a bit before heading over to Boomer’s - one of the things they love doing together, playing mini golf and arcade games! Even as we sipped on margs, before my camera had even come out of the bag, I knew it was going to be a great shoot. They had SO much natural chemistry, and they couldn’t keep their hands off each other! I jumped at the opportunity to remind them my biggest suggestion for their shoot: PDA is *highly* encouraged – AKA, keep doin what you’re doin! It sounds simple enough to say, but it’s one of the things so many people overcomplicate once a camera comes out. I’m always ready to go with directions on creating those organic moments, but nothing beats your natural chemistry. So if you’re feeling it, roll with it! Sit close to each other, hold hands, wrap arms around each others’ waists as you walk – all of this translates to photos that remind you of that deep connection you feel with your partner.
wild wins + a breathtaking golden hour made for the most romantic sunset pictures!
Marissa was a bridesmaid in a wedding I photographed in 2019 at the Franciscan Gardens in San Juan Capistrano. Marissa had such a bubbly, friendly personality and it was so easy to see how she and the bride, Nicole, had stayed close for so long! At Nicole and Justin’s wedding, she was so warm and welcoming and loved making people laugh. Even years later, I so clearly remember Marissa + Alex’s energy on the reception dancefloor. It was magnetic! If that was any indication, it’s safe to say that their wedding next year is going to be an absolute PARTY and I can’t wait to capture it for them!
want more engagement + wedding inspiration?
check out these posts next:
A sunrise engagement shoot in Joshua Tree
Photos from an elopement-inspired golden hour Arches NP shoot
Bry + RJ’s Destination Vegas Wedding with a first look at 7 Magic Mountains
Hire me for your Palm Springs engagement shoot!
I work in destinations all throughout the United States + I’d love to help you explore the beauty of the desert for your photoshoot. Click the button below + fill out my inquiry form for my availability!
Read on for information about planning a visit to Palm Springs - it’s an amazing place for a wedding, engagement shoot, or a weeklong getaway!
visiting Palm Springs, california
About Palm Springs:
Palm Springs is an iconic spot just two hours from LA, known for mid century modern architecture, hot springs, and for festival-goers, it’s a perfect pit stop on the way to Coachella, which takes place just about 30 minutes away. Through its proximity to Los Angeles, hot springs, sunny weather, and golf courses, this area gained popularity in the 1930’s as a getaway resort city. See more about the history, lifestyle, and attractions PS has to offer in this article.
What to do in Palm Springs:
Beat the heat by staying indoors in the shops of Palm Springs! Aligned with the Mid Century Modern architecture, it’s not surprising to see antique shops full of decades-old treasures at places like the Palm Springs Art and Design Gallery, On Saturdays and Sundays you’ll find local artists, home goods, live entertainment, and fresh food at The Street Fair at College of the Desert (running for nearly 40 years!).
Not into antiques? Not a problem. In the El Paseo shopping district - nicknamed the Rodeo Drive of the Desert - you’ll find popular shops like Antropologie, and Kate Spade. Head to The Shops at 1345 for luxury goods and contemporary fine art.
For something a little less Rodeo Drive, visit boutiques Just Fabulous or Thick as Thieves, or visit my personal favorite place to shop in Palm Springs, the Mojave Flea Trading Post. Spend a few hours hiding from the outrageous summer temps in this marketplace, featuring vendor booths with a little bit of everything. Stock up on home decor, vintage clothes, kitchen goods, fine art, and more. The best part? Most of it is sourced from local artists in the Coachella Valley!
For a low-key adventure and a break from the city vibe of downtown PS, check out Moorten Botanical Gardens. Explore tons of variety of desert plants on a short nature trail. I did an engagement shoot here years ago, but I distinctly remember it as being a hidden gem + such a great escape!
Sightseeing Mid Century Modern marvels: from fire stations and city halls to expansive cutting-edge estates, visiting PS can be like stepping back in time thanks to the preservation of iconic buildings designed by the likes of Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Albert Frey, and more. Take a self-guided tour with stops at places like the Palm Springs Visitor Center, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and more.
Cool off from the desert heat with a treat! I cannot emphasize enough how much I love the Saguaro’s Pina Colada, best enjoyed poolside.
Golfing is BIG in Palm Springs - this is where the Desert Classic is held in the annual PGA Tour. Hit the green at any number of courses - there are well over 100 to choose from! See some of them here.
Next on my personal Palm Springs bucketlist is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, raising visitors through the Chino Canyon high above the desert floor to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Over the course of just a few minutes you’re transported to an entirely different environment, enjoying things like hiking, camping, skiing and snowshoeing depending on the time of year!
Palm Springs’ Best Coffee Shops:
During my last visit I got the chance to visit Cafe La Jefa, one of the newest coffee shops to join Palm Springs’ roster and it did not disappoint! Described as a “Latin-influenced modern coffee house,” this shop has various different caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks, fresh pastries, and flatbreads. It shares a space with stationery shop bobo’s in The Flannery. The lavender latte sounded amazing but I went with my old reliable - a dirty chai latte with oatmilk, and it was delicious.
A few of my other favorfite coffee shops are Cartel Roasting Co. and Ernest Coffee!
Where to Stay in Palm Springs:
Palm Springs has every size and shape of hotel you could ask for, but my tried and true is The Saguaro Hotel. With weekday discounts and specials for California residents, it’s a convenient and cost efficient option… but, it has its cons too. At my last visit the maintenance team started lawncare at about 8 A.M. and while I appreciate a clean cut hedge as much as the next gal, it was kind of a mood killer for my quiet morning patio coffee. There were also way more children there than I expected, so if being splashed or hit with beach balls doesn’t sound like your vibe, I recommend checking out one of the adults-only hotels instead! In the plaza across the street you’ll find a generic grocery store (with a Starbucks inside) and a few restaurants, but if you’re looking for a more walkable experience you should stay closer to Downtown Palm Springs.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best Palm Springs hotels to consider from This Life of Travel highlighting some of this area’s boutique hotels, each with its own personality but all featuring the level of sophisticated design PS is known for.
A few adults-only spots I’d love to stay at soon:
Dive Palm Springs, a super petite boutique hotel with just 11 rooms with a retro French aesthetic
The Colony Palms - a favorite of Marissa and Alex! This hotel’s still fairly small with under 60 rooms, is pet-friendly, and is conveniently located within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and cafes!
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs - a luxury resort with an award-winning spa. It doesn’t hurt that The Tropicale is closeby, a highly-rated restaurant with retro, eclectic decor, fresh food, and noteworthy ambiance!
Head back to the blog for more engagement inspiration, elopement advice, wedding planning tips, and more by clicking here!
Ready to take the next step? Hire me to photograph your Palm Springs engagement or wedding!
I’m a destination elopement + intimate wedding photographer specializing in helping my couples feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera. I love photographing those organic, effortless moments in a documentary way that feels REAL when you look back - not super posed + awkward. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, hit the contact button + fill out my inquiry form so that we can talk about your vision, date + my availability/process!