A Romantic Desert Engagement Shoot in Joshua Tree

Step inside Heidi & Sterling's beautiful sunset engagement session.

To celebrate their engagement, Heidi and Sterling decided upon a "glam in the desert" engagement-shoot theme in Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree Engagement Shoot wedding ideas
Photo: Molly Hauge for Molly + Co.

Heidi Baldwin and Sterling Doak met at a young professionals networking event in their hometown of Reno, Nevada, before reconnecting in Los Angeles nine years later over the holiday season. When Sterling attended Heidi's New Year's Eve party, he was her New Year's kiss, "and the rest, they say, is history," shares Heidi. A couple years into their relationship, the twosome jetted off to Europe for a 12-day tour of Italy. Sterling romantically proposed while on a gondola ride in Venice, and the couple celebrated their engagement abroad for the next 10 days before heading back home to start planning their June 2016 wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. 

To celebrate their engagement, Heidi and Sterling decided upon a "glam in the desert" engagement-shoot theme in Joshua Tree National Park. Admitting that it was a little awkward kissing during the photo shoot, Heidi and Sterling agree that their favorite photos are the candid shots that showcase them dancing in the desert and laughing together. "I really loved that we started out in casual outfits and worked our way into somewhat of a glimpse of the future – a suit and a white gown," shares Heidi. When Sterling first saw his beautiful bride-to-be in her white dress, he said, "If you're going to look half this beautiful on our wedding day, I'm a lucky man." 

See some of our favorite images from this beautiful couple's engagement session, below!

Sunset engagement session in Joshua Tree

Engagement photo in Joshua Tree National Park

Close up of ring in engagement photo

Sepia tone bride in black dress engagement session

Bride and groom holding hands engagement photo

Engagement session dress For Love and Lemons

Joshua Tree National Park engagement session

Laughing on desert rock engagement session

Candles in Joshua Tree engagement photo

Sunset hand holding engagement photo

Groom in three piece grey suit engagement shoot attire

Couple kissing at sunset engagement photo

Photos by Molly Hauge for Molly + Co. Heidi's attire by ASTR (black dress), For Love & Lemons (blue dress), Allison Parris for Rent the Runway (white dress), Express (shoes), Kate Spade (earrings). Sterling's attire by Express (grey suit), Florsheim (dress shoes), Banana Republic (dress shirt), Levi's (jeans), Adidas (casual shoes).

If you're still on the fence about having an engagement session, read why most couples invest in engagement photos and learn how to make the most of your session. For expert tips on how to take the perfect engagement photos, click here.