I was heading out to Los Angeles to shoot a wedding, and I had decided to extend my trip a couple of days so that I could visit Joshua Tree National Park. In the past two years, I’ve been trying to be more intentional about spending more time in nature, which rejuvenates me, and visiting the National Parks is an easy way to do that.

Once I’d decided I wanted to spend some time in Joshua Tree, I posted on Instagram that I was looking for a couple to photograph while I was there. There was no shortage of responses (hehehe 🥰), but Julia spoke about Kent in a way that made me want to experience the love they shared. It made them stand out against the other dozen or so people who’d expressed interest and made me excited to get to know them both.

We got to the park right before sunset and drove to a location I’d scouted over Google Maps beforehand (pro tip!). Julia assured me they’d never had photos taken before, but I mean… would you believe that?! Look at the two of them!! Every photo I took had me dancing with glee over the beauty of this weird, otherworldly place.

After the sun set and the light had gone, we opened a bottle of wine which Kent assured me I would love, and even though he had no idea what my taste in wine is- he was totally right. Another sign that these two are my soulmates?! Yes. We drank wine on top of giant rocks, beneath the glow of the full moon and they told me how they met and fell in love… then out of love… then back in love again. They spoke with knowing smiles and loving glances, finishing each other’s sentences and giving their side of the story. We were all three sad when it was time to part ways, knowing that we would probably not see each other again!

I stayed in the park overnight after they left, sleeping under the stars and waking up before the sun. I listened to the Dixie Chicks and sang along to Wildflowers, and I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the beauty this planet holds. I could talk for days about the way nature makes me feel- whole, small, insignificant. There are so many incredible things out there for us to see and experience, and we all have to do our part to protect our home as best we can. We only have one!