Maybe one day I’ll get to add Arizona Photographer to my resume for real, for now I’m happy with getting to shoot in the desert a little for United 2016! Shooting on the western side of the country, especially in the desert, is completely different than here in North Carolina. For one, the light is uniquely their own. You hear people talk about California light and think, yeah, yeah, yeah. But it’s a real thing! California light is different than Arizona light which is different than North Carolina light. And each is beautiful in it’s own way.

In Arizona in particular, the desert changes it. That pinkish golden tone, reflects back onto the face and makes skin glow! It’s like light magic! Here in North Carolina, we fight the greens. I know people love it here because it is so green, and I do too! But when green grass reflects back onto a face, it can almost make the subject look a little sickly. It’s something we have to be really careful about and watch closely when shooting. In the desert, you get this warm glow that’s just dreamy. I’m not familiar with all of Arizona, but at least that’s the case in the Phoenix area.

Back to the shoot now…

Kyle and I had kind of a crazy fall. First, we find out our second child is on the way in early October. Then we photograph a wedding in a hurricane (see another thing you don’t have to worry about in the desert!). At the end of October we hopped on a plane for a whirlwind of a trip to Iceland, that was an absolutely amazing experience. Were home for four days, photographed a wedding on the coast, and the very next morning got on another plane for United 2016. We tend to set up our calendars this way for some crazy reason. Why, I’m not sure but we never really seem to learn our lesson.

While out at United, we got the chance to participate in some truly unique hands-on shoots. Most of them were learning experiences, but the one I’m sharing here in particular, was one where we actually got to photograph quite a bit. Our images are inter-mingled here, and I’m honestly not sure who shot what at the moment, but it really doesn’t matter. We had a fantastic time and loved our first desert shoot together! Hopefully it’s the start of many more! We don’t plan on moving any time soon (or really any time in the future), but we both can see why people love living in Phoenix! Who knows, maybe we’ll get to shoot a wedding out there one day soon and get to visit again!

No styled shoot post is complete without crediting the fabulous vendors who made it possible:
Venue: Phoenix Marriott Tempe At The Buttes
Styling & Design: Ashley Henry, Henry Photography
Stationary: inLoft Calligraphy
Bridal Gown: BHLDN
Floral Designer: Sarah’s Garden
Rentals & Décor: Tremaine Ranch
Stamps: VerdeStudio
Ribbons: Tono & Co.
Macramé Runner & Favors: The Serenity Road
Model: Ashley Knolla
Hair Accessories: Twigs & Honey
Hair Designer: Sassandra Ravenhill
Makeup Artist: Infinite Artistry Makeup