Mina and Bijan have a love and respect for each other that is evident the first time you meet them as they walk up hand in hand. The many times we’ve spent together as they plan their big day at Shiraz Garden, their love can’t help but bring a smile to our faces.

FAVORITE ENGAGEMENT SESSION EVER

GOLDEN HOUR & NIGHT SHOOT

Having favorites is inevitable, and these two having a ball, being playful, and enjoying each other created the most memorable Engagement Session with both Golden Hour photos and SULTRY NIGHT TIME PHOTOS. You don’t want to miss this stunning shoot by one of our favorite photographers, Faith and Fire Photo & Films.

Make sure you scroll to see their night shoot and golden hour sessions! This will give you a great idea of Shiraz Garden’s River access and beautiful vistas.

COLORADO RIVER NIGHT SHOOT

These love birds spent most of their nighttime engagement session on the Colorado River at Shiraz Garden. The way Faith and Fire captured the sun and used their amazing lighting stills in this space is nothing short of incredible. The River Amphitheater is a concrete, modern space that steps into the Colorado River for unusual photo backdrops.

This space is best captured November - March (winter) when the river is beautiful and lower. During the spring and summer months, this space is often underwater.

Q TO FAITH & FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY: What must couples consider to pull off a golden hour and evening shoot? 

• I love this question so much. Two things will help accomplish this: 1. Adequate time, and 2. Outfit selection! (Okay, a third would be a fantastic photographer, of course)

  • We typically shoot an hour before sunset during the bright and warm golden hour and then budget about 20-30 minutes after sunset. Then, the sun goes down enough to have some color in the sky while still being dark enough for moodier shots. We use a nifty tool called off-camera flash to make our couple pop against the darkness while holding the beauty of the sky’s remaining light and color. If you aren’t shooting with us, make sure your photographer has this tool, or the dark shots will end up grainy, or the remaining skylight won’t pop. 

  • For outfits, we always suggest dressing for the location and the mood. Outfits will drastically change the look of photos. At Shiraz, earth tones are always our go-to suggestion. For the golden hour, brighter/warmer earth tones would help bring the photos a little more light. Dark earth tones or black attire for the night shots would help elevate the mood and create a nice contrast against the golden hour portraits.

Q TO FAITH & FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY: What is the added time cost to stay evening for this type of engagement session?

• At Shiraz, I specifically budget an extra 20-30 minutes to my typical hour-long engagement session to ensure we have enough time to travel between locations without feeling rushed. I would suggest starting an hour before sunset and staying after sunset for about 20 minutes. I make sure we have a break in between for outfit change and a quick freshen-up.

Q TO FAITH & FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY: Tips for making the shoot unique?!

• The best thing you can do to have unique photos is to tell me, “I trust you.” When someone prefers a certain shot list or Pinterest inspo, those photos are typically ones that plenty of other photographers have done. Having an open mind and finding a photographer you trust will create magic. Plus, being willing to do whatever crazy thing pops into my mind ensures the most beautiful, unique portraits. 

GOLDEN HOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION WITH AMAZING HILL COUNTRY VIEWS

Sunset Vista is our primary ceremony location, but the forested areas all around are also romantic and perfect for engagement sessions. This gives you the “memories” of taking those photos where you will soon get married but also gives you a different vibe and gallery. Having a diversity of backdrops makes for a beautiful session. Faith and Fire are intimately familiar with Shiraz Garden and its countless background options, and they always find the perfect place at the ideal Sunlite moment.

They took photos at the Formal Garden and the “in-between” place along the river this evening.

Q TO FAITH & FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY: What spaces at Shiraz are your favorite for engagement sessions? 

• Oh man, I could write a novel. Of course, the obvious overlooks and staircases, but there are also so many overlooked, hidden gems at Shiraz. Around the reception hall/fountain area is a go-to because there’s so much you can do with the space to create a contrast against the nature side of Shiraz. Sit on the bartop, tiptoe across the massive built-in benches, dip under the vast arch, dance under the string lights, or have a passionate embrace at the green gate. So many beautiful things just in that area! 

PERKS OF ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS AT YOUR VENUE

Deciding where to take their engagement photos was a fun conversation at an Open House. They were considering their engagement session at Villa Antonia but also considering Shiraz Garden as their venue. We talked about the stunning spaces at Villa Antonia but emphasized the perks of engagement photos at their venue, including:

• Free access to Shiraz to move around at your own speed, no one pushing you through the process (when our couples use a Recommended Shiraz Photographer, access for engagements or bridals is included)

• Freedom from worry about getting “dirty” and venturing down into or along the Colorado River (not always ideal in a wedding dress)

• More memories at your venue to make your wedding day even more special!

Q TO FAITH & FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY: last advice for engagement sessions?!

• In the end, it all boils down to one word: trust. Find a photographer you trust. Then, trust your photographer that you will have an absolute blast together, that they know exactly how to pose or prompt you to bring out the beauty in any lighting scenario, and trust that they are going to capture these moments–the delicate balance of romance and mood, of light and dark, of laughter and sensuality–in a way only they can, and only in a place as unique and breathtaking as Shiraz.