This one lands on our own personal highlight reel. Emily and Philippe eloped at the Parker Palm Springs, a hotel that’s basically the opposite of a beige, forgettable wedding backdrop — think jewel-toned interiors, whimsical furniture, and manicured lawns that look more like a design magazine spread than a hotel courtyard. It’s exactly the kind of setting that rewards a couple willing to have fun with their portraits instead of playing it safe.
Emily and Philippe brought that same energy. This was a couple with a genuinely modern sensibility — clean lines, bold color, nothing fussy or overdone — and it matched the property so well that half the challenge was deciding which backdrop to use next. Poolside light, tucked-away garden corners, sculptural landscaping: the Parker gives a photographer options most venues simply don’t.
Shoots like this remind us why we love elopements at hotels built with photography in mind. There’s no need to manufacture atmosphere when the property already has it in spades — we just had to show up and follow the couple around. It’s the kind of session that makes you excited for the next one.
