I love Renata + Jess’ engagement photos. Renata is a GWS reader who was inspired by this post for her engagement photos (yay, glad to know we could help inspire!). I love this shoot because it really does show that you don’t need a lot of props for your engagement photos – and sometimes less really is more. This definitely works when you have the amazing Studio Castillero capturing your photos and a great backdrop. :)
I love what Renata sent over about her photos, “The most dominant theme in engagement photos these days seems to be vintage and/or quirky props – which I actually adore. However, I can tell you there’s NO way my fiance would let me stand him in a field of wild grass with a dozen giant heart shaped balloons. The thing about us is that we look like polar opposites, but our personalities and sense of humor couldn’t be more similar. Jess is Mr. Straight-laced financial analyst guy and I’m the artsy, tattooed programmer chick. People always tell us how mismatched we look…and I love that.
So the long story short, as much as I love the whimsy and romance of giant pinwheels, cupcakes, and confetti, I wanted to do an engagement session that really reflects us together – which none of those things do. We’re both madly into photography and mid-century modern design so we decided on a theme based on minimalist 1960s cinema (think Mad Men and the Jolie-Pitt W Magazine “domestic bliss” shoot a few years back). The next part was picking the perfect backdrop…which was easy after I FELL IN LOVE with one of your posts on a Joshua Tree elopement! I totally borrowed their location (Acido Dorado) and I think we made it our own!”
I would have to agree! Thanks for sharing your story + photos, I really think it will inspire others. :)
Thanks to Studio Castillero for the gorgeous photos! Studio Castillero is based in San Diego and available for travel worldwide.
to your wedding faves
OMG these pictures are to DIE FOR! I especially love the use of mirrors. Such a cool location and beautiful couple!
this session completely blows my mind. amazing.
these are so beautiful. especially the one where they’re sitting sideways and he’s kissing her shoulder.
Less is more. J’adore !
YAY! Thank you so much for posting this shoot! Renata and Jess are some serious radness and we couldn’t have asked for a better fit for us as clients AND friends. Glad you like the pics and thank you again for the feature! xoxox
Acido dorado… oh how I love thee since I saw the elopement featured here on GWS. The venue, setting and execution fit the couple perfectly. Can I get a “what, what!” for doing what’s right for you?!
These are BEAUTIFUL! Love love them.
wow…these are just amazing…and the location…more wow.
like like like! a little bit inception (the film) feeling!
Wow!!!! These are incredible. Made me appreciate Joshua Tree in a whole new way.
*Swoon* I may be biast because I am working with Studio Castillero this year but these are some seriously gorgeous pictures. They never cease to amaze with the photos, every single shoot with different couple looks timeless. Can’t wait to do my Cake shoot!! https://www.facebook.com/urbanconfections?ref=ts will post pics as soon as it happens <3
Yay! We love the Castilleros and their work! This is such a great shoot, and what an awesome location. Love the architecture and modern aesthetic. Thanks for sharing this!
I’ve been waiting to see your pics from that shoot. FREAKING AMAZING. And how did she contort her foot like that in pic #3?
Awesome! My husband and I just eloped in NY and honeymooned at Rosa Muerta, the house next to Acida Dorato! It was amazing, what a quiet beautiful space! We found it from your ‘glamping’ review after doing some googling and booked it BEFORE you posted the Joshua Tree Elopement set! I almost died when I first saw it!
There are pictures from Rosa Muerta on our website: http://www.taylorplusjuan.com/archives/383
Love this! And I totally relate. Whenever I see a super cute photo shoot with props and whatnot I crack up picturing how I would try to convince my guy to pose with a big heart shaped cutout or a mustache on a stick. Nice to see something different!
wow! so romantic and sexy!
Jen.. thanks so much for the love, we feel honored every time you feature our images :) You do such a great job at inspiring people and continually raising the bar to produce better and better art. Thanks!
absolutely amazing images. so very sweet.
perfect, stunning images. I love how the bride described herself and her fiance! So sweet!
what a lovely couple!
such a gorgeous shoot! I have a total girl crush :P
I am totally seeing echoes of pictures from the band How to Destroy Angels promos… which is not a bad thing, they are stunning pics!! Love it.
Beautiful couple, I love the mirror refelctions and all the creative shots :) Love it!!