There are few places in Phoenix that rival the timeless beauty and grandeur of the Wrigley Mansion. Perched high above the Valley with sweeping views of the city skyline and mountains beyond, this historic estate was the perfect backdrop for Rachel + Taylor's engagement session, a celebration full of elegance, laughter, and romance.
From the moment we arrived, the mansion’s charm set the tone. With its Spanish colonial architecture, intricate tile work, and old-world character, the venue echoed the kind of romance that’s impossible to stage it simply exists there.
Rachel + Taylor both showed off their love for each other as soon as I pulled out my camera. With their all black dress and suit complimenting the old mansion wooden accents. Together, they brought their own modern romance into a setting steeped in history. They allowed me to take full creative freedom of this session, which you can tell from some of the shots we got on that magical day.
Engagement sessions like these are why I love what I do, not just for the photographs, but for the story behind each image. The Wrigley Mansion offered the elegance and ambiance that matched Rachel + Taylor perfectly, and I couldn’t be more honored to document this chapter of their love story.
READ THEIR LOVE STORY
"Some love stories begin with grand gestures. Ours began with a forgotten coffee order.
It was a regular day in downtown Phoenix when Rae walked into the coffee shop where Tay was working. She stood at the counter, vibrant and grounded, and something about her presence stirred a curiosity Tay hadn’t felt before. He took her order—or at least, he thought he did. Moments later Rae had to ask where her Americano was, and he sheepishly had to tell her he forgot. An embarrassing start, but somehow, it opened the door to something far more beautiful.
That one encounter sparked a connection that unfolded slowly and deeply. We began talking about spirituality, philosophy, and what it means to be fully alive. These conversations didn’t skim the surface they stirred something ancient and familiar in both of us. We spoke in a language our souls didn’t know others could speak.
Since then, our days have filled with simple rituals that became sacred: weekly pizza nights, wandering through new coffee shops, and learning how to love each other by learning how to love ourselves. Our relationship has become a kind of mirror—revealing, refining, and always inviting us deeper into wholeness."
"Tyler of Tyler Garlej Photography is a visionary and creative behind the camera that, if you desire not just art in a photo, but an EXPERIENCE & moment in real time captured into a memory, he’s your man. So for the lovers out there wanting that moment to look back on and go, mmmh ya that was one of the best days of my life with you (speaking to your love of course), he’s that person that helped you have that moment for keeps to look back on and share together years later. Whether for your wedding, or want a special casual date & moment captured, Tyler Garlej Photography won’t disappoint with all the details, personality, & creativity from moment to canvas on film."
RACHEL + TAYLOR
Planning your engagement session?
If you're dreaming of a timeless location with history, elegance, and unforgettable views, the Wrigley Mansion is one of Arizona’s true hidden gems. Let's create something magical together.
