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Beautiful Engagement Photos in Joshua Tree California

Beautiful Engagement Photos in Joshua Tree California

by | Mar 22, 2021 | Engagement Photography

Beautiful Engagement Photos in Joshua Tree California

I have been dying to photograph at Joshua Tree National Park in California for a while now and when Lauren and Dakota said they were adventurous enough to take the trek out there, I was so excited!

Unfortunately In order to take professional photos in the national park you have to get a permit and it can cost an upwards of $315, because of this we actually opted not to shoot in the actual park itself . luckily the entire area of Joshua Tree is absolutely beautiful and offers many unique locations to photograph in. 

We rented the cutest little airbnb for the night and took full advantage of the gorgeous scenery both at sunset and at sunrise! We even got a cheeky little session in the airbnb! 

Lauren and Dakota were such a joy to work with, their passion and fun vibes made the whole experience. I am so grateful for being able to be a part of their love story! I hope you enjoy their photos as much as I do!

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

How to Unpose – The Secret to Authentic Photos

How to Unpose – The Secret to Authentic Photos

by | Nov 13, 2020 | Elopement Photography, Engagement Photography, How To, Love Stories, Wedding Photography

How to Unpose – The Secret to Authentic Photos

 

I​f you are not a model, the thought of being in front of a camera can be daunting enough, trying to act natural on top of that is basically impossible. There are a lot of guides out there that will tell you how to “pose like a pro” for your photos but in this guide I am going to help you learn how to “unpose”.

 

W​ould you rather spend your wedding day having orders barked at you from someone with a camera telling you to hold your hands and tilt your head, OR spend it creating real and authentic memories that can be captured to tell the story of your love; as a result letting you relive your favorite moments for years to come?

 

P​ersonally I would prefer the latter, but you may be wondering how in the world are you supposed to be natural and candid in front of a camera? Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking pictures that will guarantee a natural flow to your photography sessions and give you images you will fall in love with over and over again.

 

 

F​irst

M​ake sure you are touching

S​o many times I have couples show up to their photo sessions and act as if they are afraid to touch each other. If you’re not a PDA person, I get it, but now is not the time to be shy. The camera and I will not judge we will eat up all of your displays of affection.

T​hroughout your session be conscious to be touching your partner. Hold their hand or rest your head on their shoulder. When hugging make sure you get close, this isn’t a middle school dance there is no three finger rule!

T​hink about how you would naturally touch your partner when you are home and want to display your affection. The real trick here is pretending the camera is not there and focusing only on your person in front of you and how much you absolutely adore and love them.

 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

S​econd

M​ovement is key

 

W​hen it comes to any kind of modeling this is a golden rule. Often times when we are put in front of a camera we get really stiff and feel as though we need to freeze, but it’s not the 19th century anymore folks! My camera is more than capable of freezing motion way beyond you moving your hand or turning your head.

 

B​e fluid with your motion as if you are simply acting as you would behind closed doors. Hold your partner, sway with them, tuck a stray strand of hair behind their ear, kiss, adjust yourself as much as you want, these actions that are so natural in life are what create natural looking snapshots. The goal of a photograph is to freeze a moment in time, not capture and already frozen moment.

 

One of my favorite things is to have my couples dance together. Dancing can be extremely intimate or it can turn out to simply be super fun and ends in laughter. The best are the twirls, spins, and dips!

 

 

Third

Say I love you

 

An excellent way to creating real authentic moments is to remember why you are having photos taken in the first place. Think about how much you love the person standing in front of you. Think about why you love them. Tell them that. It’s important to voice your emotions during your session it will deepen the connection you have with each other and bring out those raw feelings of love that translate so well to your photos.

 

F​ourth

D​on’t forget to smile!

I​’m not talking about the say cheese kind of smile, I’m talking about the kind of smile that takes over your entire face no matter what you do. The smile that reaches all the way to your eyes. Think about what is actually happening in these moments. You are celebrating your love to your favorite person on earth, you are promising forever to them, now does that not put a smile on your face?

 

Fifth

Laugh often

 

W​hat’s the saying? Live fully, Love Fiercely and Laugh often? Yeah, apply that here. No, but seriously, what is life without laughter. Tell jokes to each other, now is the perfect time to whip out those inside jokes that only you two know about and make you laugh without fail.

 

It’s also fun to get a little dirty. Sometimes, I’ll have my couples whisper something dirty or naughty in each other’s ear, and without fail it always ends up in a laughing fit that results in some of the most beautiful, fun and genuine photos of the session. Couples who laugh together stay together!

 

 

Lastly

Have Fun!

 

T​he most important thing is to have fun and really focus on being in the moment. Most of my previous points have already stated this but it is the basis to good photos. If you are enjoying yourself throughout the session, your photos are bound to be amazing.

F​inal tip

C​hoose the right photographer

 

I have said this before in past writings, but I really cannot stress it enough. You want to choose a photographer who you feel 100% comfortable with. Try to find someone that you could literally see yourself hanging out with in general, it will guarantee you feel confident and comfortable in your photos so you can have the most real and authentic moments as possible!

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos

by | May 30, 2020 | Engagement Photography

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos

 

C​ongratulations! Your engaged! The proposal was easy since you didn’t know it was coming… but now it’s time for the real announcement, the engagment photos. Most likely your planning on using these for your save the dates and to tell the world the amazing news, so you want them to be perfect. If you’re anything like me that means ransacking your closet your, best friends closet and then buying a whole new outfit because nothing is good enough.

S​o to help make it a litle easier here are a few tips on how to pick the perfect outfit for your engagement session.

 

One

C​hoose something that makes you feel comfortable

If you never wear dresses now is not the time to try it out! Since being in front of a camera can feel uncomfortable to begin with you don’t want to feel uncomfortable in your own clothes as well, so make sure you choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin and represents you and your style. After all y​ou know your style better than anyone, and chances are you also know your fiance’s style best as well!

two

C​oordinate with your partner

T​he key word here is coordinate so no “matchy-matchy”! Choose outfits that compliment each other and are in the same general style. You can even choose a theme for your engagement photos such as formal, vintage, or casual. Most importantly, make sure you are on the same page, the last thing you want to do is show up in a beautiful red dress while he’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt. (Honestly, he probably shouldn’t be wearing shorts and a T-shirt at all!)

three

Consider The Backdrop

T​he location of your engagement photos can do a lot to determine what kind of outfit you wear. What will the backdrop to your photos be? You can compliment the setting with the colors, patterns and fabrics you pick for your outfits. When photographing in nature settings it is really fun to pick colors that really pop against the background such as red in a forrest or blue in the red rocks of Sedona.

 

 

four

Dress for the Season

C​onsider the time of year your engagement photos will take place. Temperature is one important aspect of this because you don’t want to be wearing spaghetti straps in the snow, but it also comes down to the look and feel of the season. Fall photos will have a much different look than summrtime photos, resulting in a summer dress vs jackets and boots in the fall.

 

 

five

Show Off Your Best Assets

I​f you have specific features of your body that you like better than others make sure you choose an outfit that accentuates that. On the contrary, if you are lacking in a certain department don’t pick an outfit that emphasizes this. If you want to appear to have a smaller waist than wear a dress that flairs out at the hips, or if you’re like me and a proud member of the IBTC then maybe it’s not the best idea to wear something with a plunging neckline! Also, keep in mind what colors that compliment your skin tone!

 

 

six

Consider More than One outfit

O​utfit changes can be a great way to get the most out of your engagement photos. If you really can’t decide between a dress or a pants and top ensemble then choose both! However, make sure you have the option to change with the location you have chosen otherwise things could get a little awkward… If you don’t have that option, another way to still get that multiple outfit look is to take advantage of layering!

 

 

seven

Accessories Are Your Friend

N​othing ties an outfit together better than the accessories, so don’t stop at the clothing pieces. Make sure you choose the right shoes for your outfit and maybe add in a statement necklace or that hat you’ve been dying to wear!

 

U​ltimately, you are in control on how your engagement photos look. Your outfit will play a huge part in the look and feel of your photos and is defintely important, but don’t over think it. Choose something that represents you and your relationship and there is no doubt you will be happy with the result!

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

Nick & Izzy’s Australian Outback Engagement

Nick & Izzy’s Australian Outback Engagement

by | Apr 8, 2019 | Engagement Photography

Nick & Izzy’s Australian Outback Engagement

Hermidale, Australia, total population 131 people, is the definition of the middle of nowhere. But love exists in all places, even here. During my stay here, I have gotten to know this beautiful couple, Izzy and Nick and have seen love at work. When I found out they were engaged it was only a matter of time before we set up a date to shoot. We had such a blast, and I am so grateful to meet such wonderful people (even way out here) that are not so different from myself.

I was extremely moved by their story, as it is something I used to imagine for myself before I met my other half. I was lucky enough to get the story strait from Izzy:

“I was working behind the bar at the hostel that I worked at in Kampot. I saw him on the other side and found him sooooo cute. He was the first man I actually found attractive in so long. I don’t know how many shots of Jameson I had, but every time I tried to talk to him, I had to take another. Finally, at the end of the night, I went on the other side of the bar and told him, clumsily with my drunkin shy voice, “I just want to tell you, you are really gorgeous.” After that everything changed. He changed his travel plans including canceling his flight to stay a few more days with me. Then he went back to Australia for a few week and I went back to Canada, but that wasn’t goodbye. He quit his job and left everything behind to come live with me in Quebec and travel together, and the rest was history.”

Their story is just further proof that love has no boundaries and is meant to be celebrated. It can completely rock your world and change your path in life, but it’s all worth it.

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker