Ana + Dre | Phoenix Elopement
A courthouse. Fresh Flowers. A marriage certificate. Masks. Wait, what?! Why do we need masks to get married? Oh, that’s right, COVID-19. Weddings from March until just recently in August, look a tad different than they normally would at the start of the year. As a wedding and portrait photographer, I have been hit with some devastated couples who had big dream weddings planned, yet are unable to do so because the world in the midst of a pandemic and crisis. However, that doesn’t stop some of my bride and grooms.
Ana and Dre had been together 8 months before deciding to get married this July, crazy right?! Not to everyone. If anyone knows my back-story, my husband and I were engaged 3 months after we met. Sometimes I feel like, when you know, you know. The love these two shared was undeniable. Ana was almost like a school girl around her first crush with Dre. She giggled like no other which I absolutely adored. These two had never had professional photos done, so they were concerned at how funny they would look during their sessions. I like to think that they turned out BEAUTIFUL and were absolute naturals in front of my camera.
Both of them are from Columbia, which was such a fun story to hear. They both met while Ana was still living and working there. One of my favorite things to learn about my couples is where they are from, and how they met. Especially when they’re not from Arizona.
So, thank you to COVID I got to photograph my first courthouse wedding, and I can’t say it disappointed. We did some portraits at the courthouse in Downtown Phoenix, which was surprisingly beautiful. We then headed out to the desert at Hole in the Rock at Papago Park, and of course, it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful this location is. Especially when you get to have a beautiful married couple to share it with.
