Let me just say this, any engagement photos at The Royal Palms Resort that starts with a vintage Benz and ends in the middle of the desert at twilight? I’m in!

When Kayaya and Meshach told me they were planning on getting married at The Royal Palms Resort later in the year and wanted to start their engagement photos there, my inner stylist/photographer screamed a little (in the best way). Add in a vintage car from JenzBenz, the groom-to-be’s birthday, and a golden Arizona evening that faded into moody desert blues—this shoot practically storyboarded itself. See this blog post to convince your partner to rent a vintage car for your engagement photos, too! 

But let’s back up for a sec.

Starting Where It All Comes Full Circle: Engagement Photos at The Royal Palms Resort

Now, The Royal Palms isn’t just any backdrop. If you’ve ever walked its paths, you know it has this kind of… understated cool. Terra-cotta courtyards, Spanish-tiled fountains, palms that are actually royal in their presence. It’s got personality without trying too hard—basically, the visual equivalent of a casually stylish person who doesn’t know they’re stylish.

So when Kayaya stepped out in her white mini-dress and Meshach leaned on that Mercedes like he might have just stepped out of a Bond film (except more laid-back, less “license to kill”), everything clicked. It was one of those rare moments where the vibe matches the vision, and the car? Yeah, it helped!

If you’re thinking about a vintage car engagement photoshoot, do it!! It instantly elevates the look and gives you something to interact with (especially if your partner isn’t super into taking photos).

Which brings me to my next point…

Meshach Doesn’t Love Photos, But He Did Love This Car

Photographing people who aren’t super into being in front of the camera is honestly one of my favorite things, because it’s always a challenge I want to take on! Meshach, who was totally transparent about not loving photos, lit up once he saw the car.

“Do I get to drive it?” he asked with the kind of hope usually reserved for kids in candy stores or dads at Bass Pro Shops.

That vintage ride gave him something to do with his hands, his posture, and his focus. He wasn’t posing—he was just in it.

And it showed. Every shot had this relaxed-but-cool, old-school-but-fresh vibe that only happens when someone stops “trying” and starts just being.

After Golden Hour? Desert Mood at Papago Park

Once we wrapped up the Royal Palms portion, we headed off to Papago Park to catch that dreamy twilight light. You know the one, right after golden hour when the sky turns a dusty mauve and the desert starts to quiet down.

Kayaya changed into a boho, desert-toned outfit, and Meshach rolled up his sleeves. The contrast between the earlier polished vibe and this moody, desert moment? Perfection!

The thing about Papago is: you don’t have to do much. The shapes, the light, the texture—they all kind of do the heavy lifting. And the shift from the refined elegance of The Royal Palms to the rugged backdrop of Papago Park gave their gallery a sense of range that makes storytelling through photos feel more like watching a film.

Want Engagement Photos That Feel Like You?

If you’re into the idea of:

• AZ engagement photos with actual personality
• Pairing iconic backdrops like The Royal Palms Resort with wide-open desert vibes
• A vintage car engagement photoshoot that doesn’t feel stiff or overdone
• Summer engagement photos that are planned around the heat (and bonus: birthdays!)

…then we might just be a great match.

Photos should feel like a reflection of who you are—on your best day, in your favorite outfit, with your person next to you, doing something that feels fun, not forced.

This session with Kayaya and Meshach is proof that with the right elements (a little style, a little story, and yeah, maybe a Mercedes), your engagement photos can look and feel like you.

Ready to plan your own engagement photos at the Royal Palms Resort? Get in touch and let’s make it happen.

Phoenix AZ Couples Photographer | Kali M Photos

Whether you’re seeking to infuse a non-traditional vibe into a conventionally classic wedding or crafting an entirely unprecedented way to say “I do,” you deserve more than just an ordinary photography experience. So, you deserve an Arizona wedding photography and videography experience as distinctive as you are, and my friend, you’ve just discovered it. Secure your date here!

See more of my Arizona engagement photos on Pinterest!