Tone It Up Co-Founder Karena Dawn's Engagement Shoot

Get a glimpse into Karena Dawn & Bobby Gold's romantic Palm Springs e-session.

When it came time to capture their love in engagement photos prior to their upcoming wedding in Kauai, the couple chose Palm Springs as their desired location.

palm-tree-with-green-coconut-blue-sky-white-clouds
Photo: Perez Photography & Sarah Kate, Photographer

Karena Dawn, co-founder of fitness-and-lifestyle community Tone It Up, had known Bobby Gold for years before they started dating. "He actually went to college with my best friend and business partner [Katrina]'s husband Brian. The timing was never right for us to connect until one summer Bobby moved in to the apartment below me," shares Karena of the story viewers of the Toned Up show on Bravo may remember. "We started hanging out and there was an instant connection."

After talking about getting engaged for about one year, Karena knew a proposal was coming, but she was overjoyed and completely surprised when Bobby made the occasion a public affair. "Our annual Tone It Up Retreat was taking place in Newport Beach, California, and both our moms were in town for it," she shares. "It was the perfect setting on the beach, and I was completely surprised when Bobby took the stage in front of 400 Tone It Up women and proposed!" View more of their proposal story on ToneItUp.com.

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot

When it came time to capture their love in engagement photos prior to their upcoming wedding in Kauai, the couple chose Palm Springs as their desired location. "Bobby and I have a love for mid-century architecture and the lifestyle, so we spend a lot of time in Palm Springs," Karena shares of their decision. "My favorite part of the shoot was shooting around the pool at our home in Palm Springs. We have a lot of memories with friends and family [there and] it's where a lot of quality time is spent."

Take a look at some of our favorite images from their beautiful Palm Springs engagement session below:

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot Palm Springs sign

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot dog on bed

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot coffee cups with monograms

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot blue outfits

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot smiling in sunlight

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot at home on steps

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot jumpsuit in desert

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot pom pom dress

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot midcentury outfits

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot polka dot one piece bathing suit at pool

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot on pool chairs

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot close up of engagement ring

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot black and white poolside photo

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot peeking over wall in swim suits

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot white two piece outfit poolside

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot trumpet & horn rings

Tone It Up Karena Dawn and Bobby Gold Palm Springs engagement photo shoot on patio chair poolside

Photos by Jana Williams Photography; Bride's Attire: ModCloth (floral dress & polka dot swimsuit), Planet Blue (white crop top & maxi skirt), Trina Turk (dress & jumpsuit); Jewelry by Trumpet & Horn; Groom's Attire: MrTurk (suit), Wil Styles (shirts)

For couples deciding whether or not to have an engagement session, Karena offers the following advice: "Initially we weren't planning on doing an engagement shoot, but I'm so happy we did! I would highly recommend it to any couple. Not only is it a great time to get to know your photographer, but the entire day was full of laughter and time spent celebrating our love."

Take a look at the engagement shoot and real wedding of Tone It Up's Katrina Scott (née Hodgson), and browse other engagement shoots in AtlantaJoshua Tree, Paris, and more. Find inspiration for your own wedding here and follow Inside Weddings on Instagram and Pinterest for additional décor ideas.