So, you’re looking to have your engagement session in sunny Palm Springs? As a local photographer, I am here to help you will everything you’re wondering about, and maybe more.
Palm Springs is colorful, full of unique mid-century modern architecture, and surrounded by the incredible views of the desert landscape and the San Jacinto mountain range. I’m going to be thorough in this guide, so that hopefully you don’t need to hop around for more information. You can find it all right here 🙂
To keep things easy to digest, there is a convenient table of contents right here, and you can click or tap on any of the titles to jump right down to that section. Let’s get into it!
Desert Locations
There is no shortage of scenic desert locations all around the outskirts of town. These are some of my favorites:
Palm Springs Visitor Center
This is one of my favorite secret spots of Palm Springs. This spot is tucked away behind the Palm Springs Visitor Center. There’s a large parking lot and from there, you can walk right onto a desert landscape that looks like it’s straight out of a postcard.
Palm Springs Windmills
The iconic Palm Springs windmills are such a fun place to take your engagement photos. You get the beautiful desert landscape and colors with an added pop of the huge windmills towering over you.
Joshua Tree
Okay, this isn’t technically Palm Springs, but when you’re only an hour away from one of the coolest (or maybe hottest) National Parks, it’s worth the trip. You can pick nearly any spot in the park to have your engagement photos, and most of them are incredibly accessible and require ZERO hiking, but you can absolutely hike to a more secluded spot if that’s your vibe.
Neighborhoods
One of my favorite options for a Palm Springs engagement session is around some of the historic neighborhoods. People live here, so being respectful of their property is really important, but we are free to roam around the streets and sidewalks and capture the beautiful MCM architecture in the backdrop of your photos.
Old Las Palmas
Old Las Palmas is a neighborhood consisting of the largest number of celebrity homes in Palm Springs. And it’s a beautiful place to run around and take photos. It’s a very quite neighborhood with very little traffic, so you really can run around in the streets!
Canyon View Estates
Literally the neighbor they filmed ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ in. The streets are wide and you can great retro style shots of the close up mountains and white mid-century modern condos.
Hotel Locations
Palm Springs is home to some of the most fun and quirky hotels. While you can actually have your wedding at most of the hotels in town, you can also have your engagement there. Most will be happy to allow an engagement session at no additional cost as long as you are staying in a room there, but it’s always best to call and ask and get permission in advance.
Casa Cody
Casa Cody is a beautiful historic Palm Springs hotel. Featuring classic adobe architecture, it’s also nestled up against the San Jacinto Mountains, lending to both beautiful desert views and an elevated vibe.
Airbnbs
Booking an Airbnb is the best way to guarantee you’ll have a location all to yourself and total privacy. You can get the convenience of not needing to travel because you’re staying there! I can join you wherever you’re staying (with the Airbnb owner’s permission!) and capture you guys in a more relaxed and intimate environment.
Casa De Monte Vista
This is my favorite Airbnb in Palm Springs. Besides being a beautiful property, it is also located right in the heart of Old Las Palmas, so you can get two locations for one!
City Locations
These are locations around town, that don’t fit into the other categories. Parks, cool buildings, shops, museums, etc. There are endless options around town to make your session unique to you!
Moorten Botanical Garndens
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