One of my favorite places to photograph engagement sessions is at Laguna Gloria! This venue is a gem that overlooks the Colorado River, so you get beautiful water views while still being close to Downtown Austin. This enchanting garden space is beautiful year-round and was the perfect spot for Dessa and Stephens’s engagement session.
Dessa and Stephen met in college in a very serendipitous way. He was picking rosemary on the side of the road to cook dinner with, and Dessa was driving by and offered him a ride home. The two have been together ever since! They even included a nod to rosemary at their wedding, where they had rosemary on each place setting.
See Dessa + Stephens’s Wedding at Prospect House
Engagements at Driscoll Villa
We started their session at the Driscoll Villa. This Italian style-villa was built over a century ago on a 28-acre piece of land that now makes up Laguna Gloria – which means “heavenly Lagoon” in Italian. And the name fits!
The stucco walls with arched windows and a large stone walkway makes a beautiful backdrop for portraits. I love how this space is modern and elegant, with beautiful architectural elements that are set within a lush garden. You get so many views all in one location.
You also get to reserve this space, so we are the only ones on the property for your session. This way, we don’t have to worry about crowds or people in the backdrop! This gives my couples an elevated outdoor area with plenty of privacy for their session.
A Golden Hour Session at Laguna Gloria
Dessa and Stephen’s outfits complimented the natural surroundings, with Dessa wearing a white wrap dress and nude heels and Stephen donning a blue dinner jacket and khaki pants. I love that their outfits coordinated with their wedding, which had a color palette of dusty blue, blush, and cream. As we moved throughout the garden, we took advantage of the natural light filtering through the trees, which created a soft glow.
It was such an honor to photograph these two and to be part of this special time. As a wedding photographer, I love guiding my couples throughout the planning process. From their engagement session, to portraits, to the wedding day – and even family sessions later in life! Head over to Dessa and Stephens’s wedding to see more of their day, and reach out to book your wedding day!
