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How To Have A Fab And Fun Engagement Shoot

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Happy couple laughing together in front of a colorful mural on brick wall

Engagement sessions are the best! There are literally countless ways you can play with them and the end result is a day full of happy memories captured on camera. So how do you ensure that these photographic memories are the best ever? The number one rule is to be comfortable! Be comfortable in what you are wearing, be comfortable in the space you are taking your photos and above all else choose a photographer you and your other half are comfortable being yourselves around! 

Trust us, doing the extra leg work to find the right person will bring you fabulous photo results much like Jeff and Maria with their indescribably excited photographer Chrissy Gilmartin. You can find these and many more photos from their Palm Springs engagement shoot in the full gallery below. 

Happy couple posing for a photo in front of a wooden doorCouple standing in front of a modern building with desert landscape around

From Chrissy Gilmartin Photography

Say helloooo to Jeff and Maria my friends!

I met up with these silly kids about 6 months ago when Maria contacted me about their upcoming White House wedding and wanted to meet up for coffee and chat about their big day! Let’s just say that it was “meant to be” lol… Poor Jeff was subject to listening to me and his gorgeous “wife to be” chat nonstop for close to 2 hours! I knew from that day that these two cuties were one of a kind, and we were in for TONS of fun, as we began planning their uber-cool Palm Springs engagement session!

Let’s Meet At The Ace

We decided to take advantage of our time together by taking the day off and heading out to fabulous Palm Springs CA! We met up at the crazy cool Ace hotel for our first stop, and let’s just say this place was BEYOND fabulous! It was like a photographer’s dream… From bright orange colored doors to outrageous funky signs, to a dreamy desert vibe filled with more cactus and succulents than a girl can dream of – this spot was ON POINT and we could not get enough! Dancing on tables, jumping on couches, you name it and we did it!

Couple posing near the iconic ACE sign on a sunny day

Affectionate couple smiling and embracing each other outdoors near a wallCouple playfully sticking tongues out in a loving embrace

Happy couple laughing while sitting on white stairs together

Couple holding hands walking in courtyard during daylight

Couple jumping on a platform with tree backdrop and sunny atmosphereCouple embraces in front of a modern building, engagement photo

Happy couple embracing on a wooden block in front of a fireplace

A Farm For Wind

After completely exhausting ourselves at spot number one, it was time for a little wardrobe change and a change of scenery! While Jeff and Maria got dressed, I got ready for our next location… the Oh SO Windy… Windmill Farms! We hopped in the car and headed out. One of the fabulous parts of shooting out in the middle of nowhere is that you can literally do whatever you want! We trekked off onto a lonely dirt road and as we got close to the windmills found the perfect spot to get out and let the fun begin!

One of the MANY reasons I absolutely love Jeff and Maria is their sense of adventure! This girl had full hair and makeup done, and was rocking a stunning pink sequin gown, and do you think she had ANY problem getting dirty and running around dirt roads filled with weeds and broken glass in 25 miles per hour winds?!? Hell No she didn’t! She embraced it like a champ! AND… let’s talk about Jeff for a moment… How freaking AMAZING is a man who will grab his girl – and piggyback her throughout the desert, just to make sure she is happy and I get THE shot! 

Poor Jeff was a freaking trooper and probably got more cardio on that day, then a full day at the gym! lol…

Couple walking in front of wind turbines on a sunny dayJoyful couple laughs and embraces in a sunny outdoor setting

Woman in flowing dress poses near windmills in desert settingWoman in a glamorous dress poses under the bright sun

Romantic couple leaning foreheads together in desert landscape

Happy couple having fun outdoors with wind turbines in backgroundSmiling Asian man posing near windmills in the desertRomantic couple enjoy playful moment in a desert landscape

Joyful woman in dress with open arms smiling near windmills

Couple raising hands in front of wind turbines in desert landscape

Treating You Like Family

And that was it… It was a wrap! Or so I thought… just when I thought this fabulous day was done, Maria and Jeff let me know that they had made reservations for us at the absolutely YUMMY Trio Restaurant in downtown Palm Springs, and we were heading over to grab some dinner! HELL YES! I was one happy little photographer I tell you! And to top it off… we walk into this super fab eatery and the entire place is completely ORANGE – my fav color of all time! Yes… this session was definitely one for the books!

A huge FIST PUMP to my fab couple… I can honestly say I had the most AMAZING day with you both… Your smiles, giggling, and straight up awesomeness was seriously infectious!

Couple holding hands in front of colorful graffiti muralSmiling couple poses near a colorful mural for maternity photoshoot

Wedding Photographers: Chrissy Gilmartin Photography
Venues: Ace Hotel

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