A delightful gourmet picnic in one of Miami's most stunning parks: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
I had the pleasure of spending a few hours in Miami, Florida, with Amber and Yonder Alonso (for those who follow the World Series, you might recognize Yonder from MLB Network).
This shoot was a pre-wedding session, although we were also planning to see each other again at their wedding (more on that later!). We started with a delightful gourmet picnic in one of Miami’s most stunning parks, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, known for its distinctive vegetation. Centuries-old oaks draped in Spanish moss, coral stone staircases and Italian-style gardens created a setting that felt more like the Mediterranean than South Florida — a perfect backdrop for a relaxed, elegant engagement session.
Amber and Yonder chose a simple, timeless look: white and light neutral tones that let the light, the greenery and their connection take center stage. I kept direction to a minimum, letting them walk, talk and laugh together while I looked for natural light filtering through the trees.
Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch together at a restaurant they frequent (Swensen’s). To wrap things up, we captured some images at the construction site of their future home. It was a really enjoyable half-day, and it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with them before their New York wedding a few months down the line.
Why I love an engagement session before a destination wedding
A pre-wedding shoot is much more than a few extra photos. It gives couples the chance to get comfortable in front of the camera, and it gives me the chance to understand how they move, what makes them laugh and which moments matter most to them. When the wedding day arrives, we already know each other, and that trust shows in every frame.
