Retro Palm Springs Family Session
As a photographer, one of my favorite ways to find creative inspiration is by taking a look into the past. While there are cool elements to all time periods, one of my favorites to draw from are the 60s and 70s…think mid-century. Between the fashion, the architecture, the music, and even the furniture, it’s an era that lives rent-free in my mind and I would gladly take a time machine back there for a day, thank-you-very-much. So when my photographer bestie Meg Gamez and I decided to set up a little creative session while we visited Palm Springs this past February, I knew immediately that I wanted to lean into that aesthetic for inspiration. And of course, who better to help pull off this vision than my long-time muse and best friend, Katelynn. You’ve probably seen Katelynn and her family on my Instagram and other blog posts; she’s been there from the beginning of this whole journey and is always such a great sport when I have a creative vision I want to try…and Palm Springs was no exception!
The backdrop for our retro-inspired session was this mid-century gem in Palm Springs, the Monkey Tree Hotel. It fit the aesthetic we were going for perfectly and, as Katelynn and her family needed a place to stay for the night since they were coming from Vegas, it worked out perfectly! Meg and I brainstormed ideas for outfits and went with a combination of some thrifted items she had (like Katelynn’s shawl and all the adorable sunglasses) with some newer pieces from places like Mango, Old Navy, Zara, Gap, and even Amazon. It all came together in a fun, colorful family session that evoked nostalgia for this hippie-obsessed SoCal photographer!
One of my favorite things about working with folks over the years is watching their family grow. When Katelynn and I met, I did a ton of couples sessions with just her and her husband; now, their daughter gets to be part of the fun and she is such a ham in front of the camera!
Aside from the main pool area, we spent time shooting in the common area of the hotel, which included a retro photo booth and a record player. We all had fun with this because truly, who doesn’t love putting on some tunes and taking pictures with funny faces?! Afterwards, we went back to their room and spent some time in the backyard with their pup, Zona, while soaking in the warmth on that February morning.
Thinking of having your own family session in Palm Springs? Or maybe you want to elope in this colorful, magical town? Reach out today to start planning an epic session of your own!