Arizona Location Guide
This is a list of some of my favorite Arizona locations for photography sessions! Each location below has a bunch of photo examples from past sessions, a blurb about what makes it so great, any fee/permit information, as well as how easy it is to access!
If you've got somewhere else in mind that's not on this list, let me know and we'll see if we can make it happen!
Papago Park
Tempe, AZ
What I love about it:
Red Rock, desert brush, very distinct "Arizona feel"
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★★☆
Paved Parking Lot. Fairly easy for all ages. Trailhead is very close to parking lot
Cave Creek, AZ
What I love about it:
ALL THE SAGUAROS! Every inch is covered with them it's amazing. There's a good variety of landscapes: desert, a running creek and lots of brush
Fees/Permits:
None!
Ease of Access: ★★★☆☆
Dirt road leading up to Parking Lot, Trailhead close to parking lot. Wide variety of trail difficulties, can be suitable for all ages depending on circumstances
Jewel of
the Creek
Sonoran
Desert Drive
North Phoenix, AZ
What I love about it:
Lots of cacti, especially Cholla!
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★☆☆
Paved Parking Lot, Trailhead close to parking lot. Wide variety of trail difficulties, can be suitable for all ages depending on circumstances
Tempe
Town Lake
TEMPE, AZ
What I love about it:
Unique Architecture, the Tempe Town Lake Bridge is darling at sunset with the string lights on
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★★☆
Paved Parking Lot. Fairly easy for all ages. Requires stairs to access bridge, but overall easy to navigate
Phoenix Mountain
Preserve
North Phoenix, AZ
What I love about it:
Lovely desert scenery in the middle of the city. Very easy to get to from SR-51
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★★☆-★☆☆☆☆
Depends on how adventurous you'd like to get! There's a wonderful view from the top of a 20 minute hike, but the views close to the parking lot are also wonderful!
Nicole's Fav
Desert Patch
north scottsdale, AZ
What I love about it:
Super perfect Cacti, beautiful at golden hour, easy to get to and walk around
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★★☆
Gravel Parking Spaces. Fairly easy for all ages. Requires a 2-4 minute walk from the car but overall fairly easy (quite a few cactus stickers on the ground but easy to avoid)
Saguaro Ranch
Park
glendale, AZ
What I love about it:
Really versatile location. Cute farm doors and brick buildings, lots of orchards and greenery.
Fees/Permits:
$25.00 One-Day Permit Required
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Paved Parking Lot. Easy and short walking distance from various types of scenery
Studios
Booking a studio for your session is such a cool option (literally cool if you're planning a summer session as all of these offer A/C!) Here's a list of my favorites with links to get more info about each one
Blok photo studio - dtphx
beloved studios - mesa
studio house - dtphx
Light Loft - scottsdale
modern manor - phx
The barn studio - gilbert
All of these studios range in price between $45 to $80 per hour and availability is first come, first serve, so if you're leaning towards a studio, you might have to be flexible on time!
Superstition Mountains
apache junction, AZ
What I love about it:
Super "Arizona" feel. Lots of cacti, beautiful mountain landscape
Fees/Permits:
$7.00-$10.00 per car (depending on day of the week) if Visiting Lost Dutchman State Park, if wanting First Water Trail- no permit is needed
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Paved Parking Lot. Easy and short walking distance from various types of scenery. Light is best at sunrise, since the sun rises behind the mountain, but this area is also an option at sunset.
There is a $45.00 travel fee for sessions that take place out at the Superstitions!
Riparian
Preserve
GILBERT, AZ
What I love about it:
Easily accessible, access to multiple different sceneries (lake/marsh, cactus garden, green brush and overhanging trees
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★★☆
Paved Parking Lot and sidewalks Fairly easy for all ages. Requires a 2-10 minute walk from the car depending on the location but overall fairly easy to navigate
Desert Botanical
Gardens
Tempe, AZ
What I love about it:
SO MUCH VARIETY! Lots of plants of different sorts, cool architecture and art installations depending on the time of year, great no matter the time of day
Fees/Permits:
No photographer permit outside of cost of admission for each member of your family
(& me!) More info on admission pricing HERE
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Paved Parking Lot. Easy and short walking distance from various types of scenery, lots of benches and areas to rest.
South
Mountain
South Phoenix, AZ
What I love about it:
Very minimal hiking required, access to multiple different sceneries (concrete southwest "ghost town," desert, and blue mountain views in the distance)
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★☆☆
Parking Lots close to all trailheads, no more than 5 minutes walking from car to any location. Fairly easy for most ages.
There is a $25.00 travel fee for sessions that take place at South Mountain!
Private Apple Orchard
South Phoenix, AZ
What I love about it:
SO MUCH GREENERY! Green is so rare in the valley and this spot has the best dreamy orchard vibes
Fees/Permits:
No photographer permit, however it is a private property of a past client of mine, so advance approval to use their land is required!
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Easy and flat, short walking distance from cars.
Four Silos Farm Olive Grove
South Gilbert, AZ
What I love about it:
SUPER green and shady year-round
Fees/Permits:
$30.00 per hour permit required, only one photographer allowed per hour so we'll have the whole place to ourselves! (Booking is required in advance and cannot guarentee and specific date/time will be available)
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Street Parking very close to the grove entrance, very flat walking all around the property.
Downtown Phoenix
DOWNTOWN Phoenix, AZ
What I love about it:
Such a different and fun architectural vibe! Very basic surroundings to let your outfit shine, or to have a classical vibe to your photos.
Fees/Permits:
No permits! Does require to pay for parking (usually $2-15 depending on the day and where you park)
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Easy and flat, short walking distance from cars.
Market Street at DC Ranch
North Scottsdale, AZ
What I love about it:
Lots of variety! There is greenery, some desert landscape, and cool architectural elements all within walking distance)
Fees/Permits:
No Permit or Entrance Fee Needed
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Lots of parking easily accessible. No more than 5 minutes walking from car to any location.
Phon D Sutton Desert
Salt River Area, MEsa, AZ
What I love about it:
Easy Desert Access, with a beautiful view of Red Mountain! Also close to access to the salt river if wanting photos in/near the water! (Water access requires a short 2-3 minute rocky hike)
Fees/Permits:
No permit! Does require a Tonto Pass pay for parking (usually $8-12 depending on the day and where you park)
Ease of Access: ★★☆☆☆
Easy and flat, short walking distance from cars.
There is a $45.00 travel fee for sessions that take place out at Phon D Sutton!
The Meadow at Wild Villa
Downtown MEsa, AZ
What I love about it:
Green is so hard to come by in the valley, and especially a private green rental space! Lots of flowers and grass and a variety of backgrounds in one spot.
Fees/Permits:
$75/hour rental fee
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Easy and flat, short walking distance from cars.
Find more info HERE: https://www.themeadowaz.com/
Nicole's Secret Boulder Spot
NORTH SCOTTSDALE AZ
What I love about it:
HUGE picturesque boulders & desert scenery. Very unique and hard to come by this type of view anywhere else.
Fees/Permits:
$60 City of Scottsdale Permit Required
Ease of Access: ★★☆☆☆
Requires walking and potential hiking/climbing up boulders to get amazing views!
George "Doc" Cavalliere Park
NORTH SCOTTSDALE, AZ
What I love about it:
Boulders, Cactus and a great view of Pinnacle with little walking required!
Fees/Permits:
None!
Ease of Access: ★★★★★
Easy and flat, short walking distance from cars.
Usery Park
Mesa, AZ
What I love about it:
Millions of Cactus, lots of hiking trails and beautiful desert scenery, Plus- the "Phoenix" sign is visible from ost of the park!
Fees/Permits:
No photo permit, but there is a $7-10 fee per car to enter the park
Ease of Access: ★★☆☆☆
Requires walking and potential hiking, but nothing too strenuous.
Heritage Square/ Science Center
Downtown Gilbert
"Four Silos" in Gilbert
Your Fav Coffee Shop or Ice Cream Parlor
Salt River
Sedona, AZ (Red Rock!)
Payson, AZ (Pine Trees & the Mogollon Rim!)
Prescott, AZ (Pine Trees and Watson Lake!)
Your Home/Bakcyard/Neighborhood
a few more ideas in case nothing above sparked your interest
still have something else in mind?
Shoot me a message and let's see what we can do!
