From Tulum to the Arizona Desert: Capturing Scott and Beka’s Journey with Shalista Photography

Sometimes, a family’s story becomes a beautiful thread woven into the fabric of my photography career, and Scott and Beka are the perfect example of that! Our journey together started when I first met them in South Dakota—just as they had begun dating—and it’s been a wild ride of love, adventure, and, of course, photography ever since.

Back in 2014, I had the honor of photographing their dreamy destination wedding in Tulum, Mexico. The beach was breathtaking, but it was the love between Scott and Beka that truly took center stage. Since then, I’ve captured so many milestone moments in their lives, including their maternity session and other family shoots while we both called South Dakota home.

Fast forward to now, and life has brought us both to Arizona! I recently got the chance to photograph their family again, this time in the Superstition Mountains with their three amazing boys. It was a full-circle moment for me—seeing how much their family has grown and being able to document their lives in a brand-new, beautiful setting.

As a Gilbert photographer with a love for the East Valley, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect backdrop than the Arizona desert. Whether it’s a session at Four Peaks or exploring hidden gems around Gilbert, family photography in the East Valley offers so many stunning locations to create memories that will last a lifetime. Scott and Beka’s family session was no different—their boys brought all the energy, and we captured that beautiful blend of love and chaos that only family can bring.

If you’re looking for a photographer who will follow your story from the beaches of Tulum to the desert skies of Arizona, I’d love to help! Whether it’s a Superstition Mountains family session or something closer to Gilbert, my goal is to capture the moments that matter most to you.

Let’s connect and make some memories!