We’ve always imagined what it would be like to be a Scottsdale wedding photographer. Destination weddings are like Christmas morning! You know it’s coming and plan every last detail. You wake up, jump out of bed, hurry to get ready, and the excitement is seriously sometimes too hard to bare. That is how much we love what we do! Last summer while helping teach a workshop in Texas, one of the attendees came up to us, before even seeing our work, and loved the bond Rachel and I shared working as a mother daughter team. Ane Marie, being a senior portrait photographer herself, talked about how awesome it would be for her to work with daughter.

The next day Ane Marie runs up to us, complementing our work to the point we blush. She’s one of those people you always want in your corner, a natural cheerleader and encourager! She had now seen our work and wanted nothing more than to introduce us to her friends in Scottsdale, Arizona who were planning their wedding. We know some people talk the talk and not always follow through with things, but Ane Marie also walks the walk. A few days after getting back from Texas, we had the lovelies of email introducing us to Alexis and Josh.

A few months later we found ourselves in Scottsdale shooting their engagement session in the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden. That is where we got to experience the cotton candy colored sunsets of the desert, and it was love at first sight! From that moment, we counted down the days until we would be back for their wedding!

January arrived, it was first destination wedding of the year, and we were ready to get out of rainy California. That is still so strange to say since we’ve been in a drought nearly my entire life, but a clear sky Scottsdale wedding was just what the doctor ordered. We flew in a day early, if you know us, we over prepare (which is a good thing!), still needed to walk the venue and meet the coordinator. Things that make us more at ease and a much smoother wedding days. We landed in a downpour. Seriously, a desert rain storm is no joke! By the time we were in the rental car, we were drenched! This is not exactly how we expected our first experience as an Scottsdale wedding photographer to pan out. We walked the venue with umbrellas in hand, and had a through backup plan if the next day was to rain.

We woke up the next morning to bright sunbeams bursting through the curtain! Immediately I jumped up and ran to the window, and I could see FOREVER with the desert being so flat, with the occasional mountain points and small white puffs of clouds. It was perfect day for a wedding! From the moment we arrived, being greeted with excitement and hugs, we felt like family. Surrounded by palm trees, cacti, and red rock mountains, the JW Marriott Camelback Inn was a dream venue! Here’s a sneak peek in Josh and Alexis’s wedding day!

 Many thanks to This amazing creative team who brought this wedding together…

Venue :: JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
Wedding Dress Designer :: Ian Stuart Bride from Mariee Gallery
Bridal Robes :: Plum Pretty Sugar
Grooms & Groomsmen Apparel :: The Black Tux
Floral Designer :: White Poppy Floral Design
Makeup Artist :: Courtney Montes
Officiant :: Judge Michael Daly Hawkins
Brides Ring :: Brillant Earth
Invitations :: Minted
Photographer :: Laura & Rachel