I photographed Jorge and Aimee’s intimate wedding, so I was completely honored when they reached out to me again to take photos to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in Zion with an adventure session! 

My husband and I have known Aimee for several years. In fact, my husband knew her before I did, back when he was a teenager. Over the years we’ve caught up here and there, and we were so excited when we found out Aimee was engaged! Especially to someone that seems like her perfect match.

As we got talking about a session to celebrate their anniversary, the first thing we discussed was a location. Both my husband and Aimee lived in St. George, UT for many years before moving to Las Vegas, so naturally she suggested Zion National Park. Jorge had never been to Zion before and they loved the idea of making a new memory together there, with a little bit of adventure. 

This part of planning sessions is always the most fun – discussing location options and finding something that really resonates with the couple for one reason or another. For some couples, they choose a location for their elopement or session because it holds significance to them. Perhaps it’s where they got engaged or where they had their first date. For other couples, it might be a bucket list place that they’ve always wanted to explore together. When couples choose a location with a specific reason behind it, the session becomes not only about them, but the incredible place they’re experiencing together.

Something I love about Zion National Park is that it feels like it’s a place where desert meets epic beauty. Growing up in the desert myself, there can be a lot of ugly. Just being honest. Lots of dirt, empty spaces, brown, and very few living things. But I’ve also seen where there can be a lot of beauty too. And to me, that’s exactly what Zion showcases, so Jorge and Aimee couldn’t have picked a better place to celebrate their anniversary.

Once we decided on Zion, the next thing to decide was where in the park we should do the session. I thought it would be fun to bring in an element of adventure, so I suggested a spectacular overlook. While the overlook is really popular and I wouldn’t normally suggest it for a wedding day, it worked out great for us.

We met up at a nearby, really cute coffee shop and fueled up for our trek. When we arrived at the trailhead, we were greeted by a herd roaming the rocky hills. It was such a great way to start the trail. As we hiked along, we periodically stopped to admire the landscape and catch our breath. Jorge seemed to be as taken with Zion as the rest of us already are.

We arrived at the moment we’d been hiking for, just in time for sunset… the overlook. We spent some time just taking in the view and enjoying the experience together. It was really sweet watching Aimee and Jorge experience it together for the first time. That’s one of my favorite parts when it comes to couples that choose to adventure – witnessing them in an experience together. Once the light started to get low, we quickly hiked back to the trail head. 

As I edited their gallery, I felt like I was being wowed by Zion all over again! If you’re considering a Zion elopement or adventure session, I highly recommend it!

Utah is full of so many beautiful locations to plan an adventure session or an elopement. Some ideas include: Zion of course, Moab, Horseshoe Bend, Snow Canyon State Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Bonneville Salt Flats, and Bryce Canyon just to name a few!

Whether you choose Utah, Arizona, California, or Nevada, there are so many beautiful and iconic desert locations and landscapes that will wow, inspire, and take your breath away. Not all deserts are created equal and it might even feel a little overwhelming to narrow down which place is the right place for you. That’s where a good photographer comes in. If you’re considering an elopement or session in the vast desert, reach out to me and let’s talk more about your plans!

Hey, I’m Gabriela!

I’m an elopement and intimate wedding photographer based in Las Vegas and beyond. While Las Vegas is my hometown, I also co-create incredible elopement experiences for my couples in Washington state, Oregon, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, Yosemite National Park, and Big Sur.

I assist couples with bringing their wedding day visions to life!

My couples and I both enjoy the outdoors, experiences more than things, and have a real connection to one another and the relationships around us.