Palm Springs is seriously one of the best towns out there when it comes to your engagement pictures. The unique backdrops and one-of-a-kind buildings are nearly as vibrant as the people who call this place home. As a Palm Springs engagement photographer, I spend a lot of time hopping around some of the best locations in this city. And while I adore working with weddings, there’s something so magical about going off leash for engagement sessions.
I recently got to experience this when I was asked to take engagement photos for Matt and Daniel. The two Los Angeles residents love everything about Palm Springs, especially the mid-century modern architecture. We spent the day together going all across town, celebrating their love story while I got to show them some of my favorite sites. It was the ideal way to set the tone for their October Palm Springs wedding! If you have been looking for some inspo for your engagement pictures, I would love to tell you all about their session and why I think you (yes, you!) need to head here for your engagement sessions STAT!
All The Things That Your Palm Springs Engagement Photographer Loves About This Area
Natural Landscapes
To be a little honest, it feels kind of unfair that we get this natural landscape on top of all the other amenities. It’s a real icing-on-the-cake kind of situation, no? When Matt and Daniel were taking their pictures, we took some time to get away from the heart of the city to see the best of nature. We took some pictures with them holding hands while the giant palm trees towered above them.
Meanwhile, the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains were showing off full-time. While we can go into all the colors of this town in a sec, I just want to talk about the shades you can get with the landscaping. Palm Springs is pretty arid without many grassy spots. It makes the greens of the palm trees and the cacti pop against the brilliantly blue skies. The pinkish haze you get in the evening certainly doesn’t hurt things, either!
Looking for the best natural spots for your pics? Try:
- The Palm Springs Windmills
- Thousand Palms Oasis Reserve
- Wolfson Park
- San Jacinto Mountain
- Joshua Tree
Mid-Century Modern Architecture
If there’s one thing we’re known for around here, it’s the mid-century modern architecture. Some of the houses are enough to send late-series Megan Draper into a total tizzy. When Matt and Daniel took their pictures, we made sure to stop in front of several of the iconic mid-century modern houses so they could celebrate their love of the architecture. The especially great thing about Palm Springs is that most of the new builds stay true to the vintage theme, so no matter where you turn, you are going to get some of the charm in your pics. The visitor’s center has put together a convenient self-guided tour so you can find all the spots that really speak to you.
If you don’t feel like scrolling through the page, here are some of the best spots to catch the buildings:
- Downtown Palm Springs:
- Palm Springs Art Museum
- Palm Springs Architecture and Design Center
- Musicland Hotel
- The Mesa/Canyon Corridor/Twin Palms Estates
- Fire Station #4
- Royal Hawaiian Estates
- Chino Canyon/Little Tuscany Estates
- Grace Lewis Miller Residence
- Edris Residence
- Dr. Franz Alexander Residence
- Vista Las Palmas and Old Las Palmas
- Swiss Misses
- Dinah Shore Residence
- Deepwell Estates:
- John and Bessie Mach Residence
- William Bogess Residence
- Palm Springs City Hall
Luxury Feel
Palm Springs might be kitschy, but tacky it is not! We have some of the most luxurious properties and businesses around here that will absolutely elevate your portraits. When I worked with Matt and Daniel, we stopped for drinks in Marlin Bar (AKA Tommy Bahama’s), where they cozied up in the wooden booths with gorgeous globe lights illuminating the table. I photographed them sharing a kiss before drinking some cocktails. While we did take some pics of them in casual wear, they looked right in place strolling the streets in their suits!
If you want an upscale backdrop for your pics, here are the best places to hit up in my opinion as a Palm Springs engagement photographer:
- The Ritz-Carlon
- Parker Palm Springs
- Marlin Bar
Vibrant Colors
If you are looking for some place drab and dull, take Palm Springs off your list. If you want something almost as bright and vibrant as you, however, this is your place! We are not afraid of brash and bold colors around here, and just a walk down the street is guaranteed to bring out the full rainbow. It’s also pretty easy to infuse some color all of your own! When I went to the Palm Springs Windmills with Matt and Daniel, we brought along some pink flamingos. It was such a great way to tie in the location and let the viewer instantly recognize the town even without big signs or billboards. In town, we have a number of restaurants and hotels that were created specifically to stand out.
Here are some of the most colorful spots for your pics:
- Trixie Motel
- The Parker
- Colony Palms Hotel
- The Shops at Thirteen Forty-Five
- Riviera Palm Springs Resort
- Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
- Robolights
- The Saguaro
Classic Cars
Palm Springs has become a bit of a hub for classic cars. We have two large car auctions a year, where you can come and bid on the best of the best. Even if you don’t make it to one of these showings, however, there’s a really good chance you are going to see some amazing vintage rides on your trip here. If you want to use one for your pics, you can swing by Enterprise and rent one from their collection. Their models are reserved specifically for things like photo sessions and weddings. You can check one out and pose in front of it so you can get the very best mid-century modern vibes throughout your pics!
These Are All Reasons I Absolutely Love Being A Palm Springs Engagement Photographer
If you’ve been on the fence about booking a Palm Springs engagement photographer, I really hope this list could convince you. What’s that? You still need a photographer? Well, I can help with that, too. As a Palm Springs engagement photographer, I love working with couples to plan a session that perfectly shows off their personalities. Want to learn more? Then send me a message so we can chat!
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