I met Gabbie in my first year of college. We clicked instantly; over the years, she became a good friend and one of my biggest supporters. She is the kind of friend who casually drops your name to everyone who even thinks about getting married. Gabbie and Cody met sophomore year, and I remember when it all started—just a couple of college kids. I’ve basically known them as a couple for as long as they’ve been a couple, which makes their Arizona engagement photos feel extra special.

Fast-forward to now—after years of seeing their relationship grow, moves, and adventures, I finally got to photograph their engagement session. It was so fun third-wheeling it behind the camera, seeing them so in love, in this stage of life, in a place they’ve made home.

Choosing Maricopa Trail for Their Engagement Session

Gabbie and Cody are both from the northern part of the U.S., so when it came to picking a spot for their engagement session, they could have gone with something classic from back home. But they wanted to celebrate the life they’ve built together in Arizona, and honestly, I love that.

For them, Maricopa Trail is their special place—their go-to spot for walks with their dog, River, and where they spend time outside soaking up that warm desert air. It has the perfect mix of vast landscapes and golden light, which makes it an absolute dream to shoot in—wide open spaces, earthy tones, and quiet desert energy.

I really appreciated this location because while Minnesota was probably covered in snow, Arizona served up a perfect 60-degree December evening. The lighting was glowy, cinematic goodness that made my photographer heart happy. The bottom line is that choosing a personal location always makes the photos feel that much more real.

The Vibe of These Arizona Engagement Photos

When I say Gabbie and Cody were ready for this session, they showed up with romantic, playful energy and were down for whatever. We wanted to blend that editorial, cool vibe with candid, documentary-style moments. It’s the best of both worlds.

One of my favorite things about this shoot was incorporating some small people big world shots. The landscape takes center stage, and the couple looks tiny in comparison. Arizona’s desert scenery with towering cacti, rolling hills, and golden glow makes it easy to capture that wow factor. If I could bottle up the Arizona sunset and take it with me everywhere, I would.

We lucked out with perfect conditions. The sun stuck around all evening, and the open trails, cacti, and dusty orange tones created a backdrop that felt straight out of a movie. Considering that I had just come from actual winter in Minnesota, getting to shoot in 60 degrees was heaven.

“OH MY GOSH, THE PICS🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 you made us look so good!!! I just quickly went through them on my phone cause I’m at work, but I can’t wait to sit down at the computer and stare at them all😭🥰 thank you, thank you, thank you!!”

See these documentary-style engagement photos in St. Paul!