Best Arizona Engagement Session Locations

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Papago Park

Location: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Desert red rock scenery, small ponds with palm trees and tall grass. Can get crowded on weekends, especially when the weather is nice. Requires moderate walks on flat trails.

DeSERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

Location: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required, just the current cost of admission. Culture passes are available if you hold a city library card. Reservations need to be made in advance.

What to expect: Varietal plants, desert greenery, cool architecture and the occasional traveling art collection. Can get crowded on weekends, and it's important to check ahead for path closures due to events.

Historic Heritage Square

Location: 115 N 6th St, Phoenix, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: The Rossen House Museum is a victorian-style home on grounds with blossoming trees and some green grass. The Science Center provides concrete backdrops and minimalistic stairs for a modern look (and some shade).

Venue at the Grove

Location: 7010 S 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Photo Pass: $100 for two hours on the grounds (I have free access for my clients!)

What to expect: Tall trees shade the entire grove, and the grounds crew keeps the grass green almost year round. Photo sessions on weekdays can occur in the early afternoon while staff is on site, or on weekend days when there is no other scheduled event.

Tempe town Lake

Location: North Shore Beach, Tempe, AZ 85281

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Water/small beach with iconic bridge and city skyline views. You'll have access to Tempe Center for the Arts and its architecture, too

Downtown phoenix / ROOSEVELT ROW

Location: 201 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Towering city skyline views, historic buildings, urban minimalism. Roosevelt Row arts district is nearby for a fun way to add a splash of color to a session. This is a great spot if you'd love to incorporate a bar/cozy coffee shop feel.

LOST DUTCHMAN STATE PARK

Location: 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ

Photo Pass: Pass approval required in advance, $50 photo permit fee plus $7 per vehicle entry. There's a separate location outside the park with similar views that doesn't require a pass — ask me about this!

What to expect: Iconic towering rock formations, dirt trails and saguaros

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Location: 2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Greenery (lots of tree lined paths and bushes), small lake views and tall grasses. Small plot of saguaros near one parking lot — can get busy during October/November

Water Users Recreation Site

Location: Tonto Basin, AZ 85553

Photo Pass: $8 Tonto National Forest Pass per car, secured off-site

What to expect: wadeable water along the salt river (varying levels depending on time of year), bushes and trees along the sandy banks, towering mountain views behind that glow as the sun sets

Canyon lake — $100 TRAVEL FEE

Location: AZ-88, Apache Junction, AZ

Photo Pass: $8 Tonto National Forest Pass per car, secured off-site

What to expect: Large lake, towering rock formations along the far banks, tall grass in some areas and walkable docks. Busy in the summer, best to go during the week.

Boyce thompson arboretum — $100 TRAVEL FEE

Location: 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ

Photo Pass: $25 entry fee per person plus a $50 photo permit

What to expect: Although it's pretty far from the Valley, this location is incredible year-round. Scenic walkways, walkable suspension bridge, tree canopies, varietal plants, greenhouse

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Location: 25062 S Meridian Rd, Queen Creek, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required, just call ahead to inform them of the shoot

What to expect: Rows of olive trees, cotton fields (in mid November), and a cute picnic area near their restaurant. Can get busy on weekends.

White Tank Mountain Regional Park

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

Photo Pass: $7 per car to enter the park, paid at the booth on site

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 walk to locations.

Sahuaro ranch park

Location: 9802 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ

Photo Pass: $25 per day paid ahead of time to the Glendale Historical Society, check blackout dates

What to expect: Park with large lawn, palm trees, several historic buildings and small citrus tree grove

EXTENDED TRAVEL FEES APPLY

Cathedral Rock

Location: 500 Back O Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ

Photo Pass: $9 per car to park

What to expect: Small parking lot, 1.2 mile hike to the top that gets pretty steep. Busy on weekends — one of THE most popular spots in Sedona. Shuttle service to the lot is now mandatory Thurs-Sun and allows for more accessibility than in the past.

Crescent moon ranch

Location: 300 Red Rock Crossing Rd, Sedona, AZ

Photo Pass: $11 per car paid at booth on site

What to expect: A short walk on the trail for the best views, some of Cathedral Rock. Tall grasses and changing colors in the fall and lots of accessible water.

Bell Rock

Location: Coconino National Forest, SR 179, Sedona, AZ

Photo Pass: $10 per car

What to expect: Small parking lot, busy on weekends. One mile hike, but not necessary for views. Steep if going all the way up the rock.

West fork Oak creek trail

Location: 1703 Shady Lane, Sedona, AZ

Photo Pass: $11 per car

What to expect: The hike is 6 miles total, but not necessary for beautiful views. The creek has sparse forest around it, but is beautiful all year round. Can get icy in the winter.

EXTENDED TRAVEL FEES APPLY

Snowbowl

Location: 9300 N Snowbowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Aspen trees, mountain views and fields. Very busy and snow-covered in winter, and very green in the summer.

Buffalo park

Location: 2400 N Gemini Rd, Flagstaff, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Mountains surrounding expansive fields of wild grass with trees skirting the edges. Short, flat walk from the parking lot and free parking.

Lockett meadow

Location: 5075 US-89 N, Flagstaff AZ

Photo Pass: $5 per car

What to expect: Tall grass surrounded by forest and mountain views. Drive in can get a bit rocky - bring a high clearance vehicle. Not accessible during the winter months.

$300 TRAVEL FEE APPLIES

Tohono Chul Gardens

Location: 7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required, entry fee of $15 per person

What to expect: Small accessible garden paths lined with cacti, greenhouse, and lots of short trees. Can get crowded on weekends.

Barrio Viejo

Location: 436 S Convent Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Colorful historic neighborhood with adobe style houses, rustic textures, some greenery. Usually not crowded.

Saguaro National Park East

Location: Rincon Mountain Visitor Center - 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required, $20 entry per car

What to expect: Drive the 10 mile loop for incredible desert sights with cacti and wildflowers

Sabino Canyon

Location: 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Abundant cacti and bushes, view of the Catalina Mountains

Windy Point

Location: 930 Catalina Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Iconic overlook view of the Catalina Mountains, perfect for sunset. Busy on weekends with limited parking available on the sides of the road

MIddle Bear Campground

Location: Middle Bear Pullout - Mt Lemmon, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Grasses, tall trees, and that true "mountain" look. Parking is accessible and crowds are minimal

Gates PAss

Location: Gates Pass Trailhead - 6400 W Gates Pass Rd, Tucson, AZ

Photo Pass: No pass required

What to expect: Easy walk to beautiful 360 views, best for a short weekday session at sunset to beat the crowds