Dreamy Sedona Destination Adventure Engagement on 35 mm Film and Digital

 
woman in white dress and man in suit embracing on cliff at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
 

There is no place in the world quite like Sedona, Arizona.

Nestled on the southern edge of the famous Colorado plateau, Sedona is a geological dreamscape of red rocks, ponderosa pine trees, and a high desert. It draws both the adventurous and the spiritual, with many trails ending in incredible views that would make anyone stop and ponder her place in the universe.

Sedona is special to Anna and Adon, and when they asked me to meet them there for a destination engagement session, I didn’t hesitate.

We settled on two photography locations: sunset at Cathedral Rock for the beautiful golden hour hues and sunrise at Doe Mountain to watch the hot air balloons take off.

 
man and woman in hiking gear in sedona arizona

Photography at Cathedral Rock at Sunset

Our engagement session journey began with a scenic hike to Cathedral Rock. As the sun moved lower on the horizon, the red rocks transformed into a canvas of warm hues, casting a romantic ambiance. At the beautiful viewpoint at the end of the trail, we captured a mixture of sweeping wide shots and cinematic candids, tying together the iconic backdrop of Cathedral Rock with Anna and Adon’s unique connection.

The hike can take 30 minutes to an hour to complete, so we started the hike about 2 hours before sunset to give us plenty of time for photos and to enjoy sunset at the viewpoint at the end of the trail.

I’d also recommend arriving with 30 minutes to spare for parking, as the parking lot can get really crowded in the afternoon. I believe there are also options for parking in a satellite parking lot and taking a shuttle to the trailhead.

bride and groom standing on cliff at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
bride and groom standing on cliff at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
bride and groom standing on cliff at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
bride and groom standing on cliff at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
portrait of bride and groom with cactus and red rocks in sedona
black and white portrait of man embracing woman
bride and groom standing on cliff at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
bride and groom standing on cliff at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
elopement photo of bride and groom at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
elopement photo of bride and groom at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
elopement photo of bride and groom at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
elopement photo of bride and groom at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
elopement photo of bride and groom at cathedral rock in sedona arizona
groom with view of sedona arizona
groom with view of sedona arizona
bride with view of sedona arizona
bride with view of sedona arizona
bride and groom embracing at sunset on cathedral rock in sedona arizona
bride and groom embracing at sunset on cathedral rock in sedona arizona
black and white photo bride and groom walking at sunset on cathedral rock in sedona arizona
bride and groom embracing at sunset on cathedral rock in sedona arizona

Chasing Sunrise at Doe Mountain

After getting a good night’s rest, our exploration continued with a sunrise hike up to Doe Mountain. As we began the challenging hike, we enjoyed the tranquility of the early morning, setting the stage for a different yet equally beautiful experience.

We reached the plateau of Doe Mountain just before sunrise, and then we settled in and watched the hot air balloons, enjoying the serenity of the moment.

couple watching sunrise at doe mountain in sedona arizona
girl and boy on a cliff in sedona arizona smiling at the camera
couple watching hot balloons at doe mountain in sedona arizona
couple watching hot balloons at doe mountain in sedona arizona
couple kissing in front of hot balloons at doe mountain in sedona arizona
couple watching hot balloons at doe mountain in sedona arizona
man lifting woman and kissing in front of hot air balloons in sedona arizona
man lifting woman and kissing in front of hot air balloons in sedona arizona
man and woman embracing while watching hot air balloons in sedona arizona
man and woman cuddled in a native blanket in sedona arizona
man and woman cuddled in a native blanket in sedona arizona
man and woman embracing at doe mountain in sedona arizona
man and woman embracing at doe mountain in sedona arizona
man and woman hiking at doe mountain in sedona arizona

Incorporating Film Photography

In addition to digital photos, I also brought timeless charm of film photography into Anna and Adon’s engagement session. The soft, dreamy tones of film added an extra layer of romance and surprise to their images, capturing the essence of Sedona’s ethereal beauty.

film photo of bride and groom amongst cactus in sedona arizona
film photo of bride and groom amongst cactus in sedona arizona
film photo of bride and groom standing on cathedral rock in sedona arizona
film photo of bride and groom standing on cathedral rock in sedona arizona
film photo of bride and groom standing on cathedral rock in sedona arizona
view from doe mountain in sedona arizona on film camera
film photo of a couple cuddling on doe mountain in sedona arizona
film photo of a couple cuddling on doe mountain in sedona arizona
film photo of a couple cuddling on doe mountain in sedona arizona
film photo of man and woman kissing on doe mountain in sedona arizona

All photos captured by destination wedding photographer Pamela Tatz Photography. If you liked this adventurous engagement session, you may also be interested in seeing this engagement session at Funston Beach in San Francisco and this engagement session along the rocky cliffs at El Matador Beach in Malibu, California.

 

HI THERE, I’M PAMELA!

I’m the owner and lead photographer at Pamela Tatz Photography. I know that the choice of the best wedding photographer is a deeply personal one, and I’m grateful you found your way here.

My rates for wedding photography and photo sessions are all available, as well as some answers to frequently asked questions. You can learn more about me and my business, as well as check out some resources I’ve put together to help anyone planning their California wedding, destination wedding, elopement, or engagement.

If you’re interested in working with me or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out! ♥

 

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