USERY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

Location: 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 

Photo Pass: No pass required, $7 per car paid at the main entrance guard house

What to expect: Flat desert scenery with mountains in the background at select spots. Large saguaros easily accessible from trails. Easy to drive from spot to spot, park, and walk a short distance. These photos were taken around 10 a.m.

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS - NORTH SIDE

Location: 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Iconic towering rock formations, dirt trails and saguaros. Photo examples are from sunset! These sessions are often shorter than others as the window for ideal lighting is smaller. We shoot right as the sun sets so your eyeballs can take the heat! I recommend sticking to one outfit for this spot so we get the most out of our time with good light.

PAPAGO PARK

Location: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Desert rock scenery! Can get crowded in the small parking lots on weekends, especially when the weather is nice, but the park is large enough that it's easy to find a quiet area. Requires moderate walks on flat trails. These photos were taken an hour before sunset on the West side.

WHITE TANK MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

Location: 20304 W White Tank Mountain Rd, Waddell, AZ

Photo Pass: $7 per car to enter the park, or park at the library and pay $3 per person inside for foot traffic only

What to expect: Perfect mountain backdrop for a sunset session — this is one of the closest views in the whole Valley. Lots of saguaros, short walks to locations.

PHON D. SUTTON - MID MOUNTAIN PARKING LOT

Location: Mesa, AZ

Photo Pass: $8 Tonto National Forest Pass per car, acquired in advance (not sold nearby) 

What to expect: Dirt parking lot that gives access to a small, easy to access desert area with amazing “down the road” mountain views. These photos were taken on a completely overcast day.

THE SALT RIVER

Location: Tonto Basin, AZ 85553

Photo Pass: $8 Tonto National Forest pass per car, acquired in advance off site

What to expect: Rocky ground, lots of trees/bushes, water access (you can wade all the way in if you want during summer/early fall) — water levels change throughout the year. Sun sets on the mountain in gorgeous orange tones.

$100 TRAVEL FEE APPLIES

CANYON LAKE

Location: AZ-88, Apache Junction, AZ

Photo Pass: $8 Tonto National Forest Pass per car, acquired in advance (not sold at the lake itself)

What to expect: About an hour's drive with no traffic from Tempe (my home base!) Large lake, towering rock formations, tall grass. Busy in the summer.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN

Location: 10409 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Photo Pass: No photo pass or entry fee required

What to expect: Layered mountain views with the sun setting perfectly behind you (these photos were taken on an overcast day). Lots of room to walk around, no hike required.

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS - SOUTH SIDE

Location: Lost Goldmine East Trailhead 10987-10999 E Peralta Rd, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118

Photo Pass: No photo pass or entry fee required

What to expect: Up-close views of unique rock formations with lots of desert greenery and some cacti. Easy walk from the large dirt parking lot, dirt roads for about 20 minutes leading out there easily passable by regular car (not recommended for rainy days because of how the road dips).

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

Location: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Photo Pass: No photo pass required, only normal admission tickets purchased in advance

What to expect: Definitely not a traditional "desert" landscape, but the perfect way to add visual interest and some color to your photos! Lots of winding paths full of different greenery including cacti. It can get busy on the weekends when the weather is nice, or weekdays during peak tourism. If you're comfortable around other people, this is a great choice! (The above photos were taken on an overcast day in January)

$100 TRAVEL FEE APPLIES

SPUR CROSS RANCH CONSERVATION

Location: 44000 N Spur Cross Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Photo Pass: No photo pass required, $3 per person paid in cash on the trail

What to expect: Gorgeous mountain views and lots of saguaros! A pretty easy walk from the parking lot.