Arizona Cactus Garden Styled Shoot at Stanford

I have been dreaming about doing a shoot at the Arizona Cactus Garden at Stanford University ever since I learned it existed! Also I would just like to put out a disclaimer: I’ve loved cactuses and yuccas and agaves since before they were cool and I can’t decide if I love the fact that everyone loves them now too or not! Anyway, apparently this garden is a popular place…I saw at least three other photographers doing sessions there at the same time.

Since I wanted so badly to visit and take some photos in the garden, I recruited some friends to help make it happen. Kirstin Danielle at Orion’s Grace is my longest-standing friend so far in life. We were kindergarten besties, and now she’s my hairdresser (and much more than that, obviously…we’re still friends!). She does beautiful hair styling, and she’s the one person I trust enough to sit down in her salon and tell her, “It’s ok, just cut it how you think will look nice!” Make sure you check out her top tips for bridal hair styles!

Faith is another one of my close friends, from a bit later in life. We didn’t hit it off until high school. You can read more about Faith and I in this Baker Beach anniversary session back from when I first started doing photography. She and Eric were my first ever clients!

Kirstin agreed to help out with Faith’s “bridal” hair during this styled shoot. I grabbed some flowers from the Pleasanton Farmer’s Market on my way over to Faith and Eric’s house. And then we had some fun!

The Getting Ready Part

The Cats and The Details

Arizona Cactus Garden Wedding Shoot

Your Cactus Photoshoot

Do you love the desert and beautiful cactuses and agaves as much as I do? Let’s go do a session at the Arizona Cactus Garden in Stanford! Or Ruth Bancroft in Walnut Creek, or…let me know your fun ideas! Contact me and I’ll get you some more information on my sessions and services 🙂