Poolside Bliss in Palm Springs
Sun, palms & turquoise pools.
Sun, palms & turquoise pools
Spend a day with me soaking up desert vibes, styling swimwear and finding little moments of calm by the water.
For the more intimate side of this trip check out my private profile here.
There’s something magical about starting your day surrounded by palms and a crystal‑clear pool, even when it’s technically a work trip. I woke up early, laid out a few of my favorite swimsuits and cover‑ups and headed down to the sun‑drenched courtyard of our Palm Springs hotel. We spent the morning capturing shots for a couple of beachwear brands, playing with angles by the water and laughing whenever my hat threatened to blow away in the desert breeze. After a few outfit changes and a dip to cool off, I swapped the tripod for a good book and let myself just float for a while. The desert heat makes time feel slower, and I loved that I could pause, look around at the palm trees swaying against the mountains and remember why I love doing what I do. Later we explored the property’s cactus garden, sipped fresh lemonade under a striped umbrella and watched the pool turn pastel as the sun went down. It was a day of equal parts work and relaxation – proof that even content shoots can feel like mini‑vacations when you’re with the right people in the right place.
Palm Springs has always felt like a retro oasis to me, with its mid‑century architecture, towering palms and endless sunshine. This trip wasn’t a vacation in the traditional sense – my friend and I had lined up a few collaborations with swimwear and lifestyle brands – but we wanted to make it feel like one. We arrived the evening before and checked into a quirky boutique hotel where every corner begged to be photographed. I spent part of the night steaming outfits and matching jewelry to bikinis, then drifted off with the patio door open so I could hear the wind rustling through the palm fronds.
The next morning we were up with the sun to catch the soft light that makes the desert glow. I slipped into a teal one‑piece and headed to the pool deck with a coffee in hand. We set up the tripod near some lounge chairs and started shooting, experimenting with different poses on the edge of the water and playing with reflections. It’s funny how unnatural a shoot can feel if you overthink it – my favorite images from that morning were the ones where I’m laughing mid‑splash or adjusting my hair. Between shots we took breaks to actually enjoy the pool: floating on my back and staring up at the cloudless sky, letting the desert heat warm my skin.
By late morning the sun was high and we were ready for food, so we ordered avocado toast and smoothies from the hotel café. I posted a quick reel of the chef layering avocado slices and got so many messages asking where we were. Social media can be a strange mix of connection and performance; I love sharing pretty pictures, but I also want people to feel like they’re right there with me. After eating we took a walk through the property’s cactus garden, which felt like stepping into a Dr. Seuss book. I filmed a few segments for a behind‑the‑scenes vlog, talking about how we plan our shoots and laughing at the unexpected challenges (like balancing a floppy hat in the wind).
In the afternoon we ventured off‑site to visit a famous pink door and some colorful murals around town. Palm Springs has so many iconic photo spots that it’s almost impossible to resist. We drove around listening to 80s playlists and stopping whenever something caught our eye. I loved the contrast between the manicured lawns and the rugged mountains beyond. When we returned to the hotel, we changed into our final looks of the day and headed back to the pool area to catch golden hour. The light was even better than in the morning; everything turned a warm, honeyed hue. We wrapped up our shoots quickly so we could just sit on the steps with our feet in the water and watch the sky melt into shades of peach and lavender.
As evening settled in, we took our books and blankets to a fire pit, ordered a couple of mocktails and toasted to a productive yet restful day. I remember thinking how grateful I am for a job that allows me to travel and create, but also for friends who remind me to slow down and savor the simple pleasures between the shots. On this trip, I learned that mixing work with leisure doesn’t have to feel forced; with the right mindset, a shoot can feel like a day at summer camp. Palm Springs left me sun‑kissed and inspired, and I can’t wait to return.
