Fun, practical advice for families looking to capture beautiful memories 

I truly believe Arizona is one of the absolute best places in the world for photographs! We’re spoiled with incredible natural light and an amazing variety of landscapes. One of my favorite things is sharing this variety with my families, but honestly…it can create a little dilemma. There are just sooooooo many good options, it’s hard to know where to start! So, here are three practical tips to help you pick your perfect location—with some examples from my most-loved spots.  

Each photo session brings its own special atmosphere—thanks to lighting, events, and whatever else is happening at the spot! No matter what, my goal is always to make your experience wonderful. But this should give you a great feel for what makes each location extra special! 

Tip 1: There is always next time! 

Don’t stress about too many good choices. Most families love to come back and try different locations as their crew grows up—it’s such a sweet way to commemorate your family’s journey! If you pick one place today, you can always try another favorite next time. Easy peasy. 

Tip 2: Think about the environment. 

Sometimes, practicality matters more than pure aesthetics—especially if you have littles! If we’re heading into the desert, make sure your kiddos can stick to the path (no cactus cuddling, please 😅). Parks are super fun for kids with energy to burn—expect some running, rolling, and playing in the grass (we love channeling that natural energy!). Bottom line: we can make every environment work beautifully. 

Tip 3: Keep in mind the lighting. 

Don’t worry, we’ve got this one covered for you! We always schedule sessions around the best light of the day (which is usually right before sunset). That’s when the light is most even and glowy—making everyone look their best. Plus, we pick locations with lots of options, so even if there’s a special event, unusual cloud coverage, or other photographers around, you’ll still get gorgeous lighting as we move around. 

My Most Popular Photo Locations 

Apache Wash Desert (North Phoenix): A dreamy desert spot just north of the city—perfect for all your boho, sun-kissed portraits!!

 

 

Anthem Community Park (Anthem): This park is a green, picturesque dream with plenty of beautiful spots. It’s a favorite for all kinds of portraits! 

 

 

Papago Park (Phoenix): The stunning red rocks here make for truly unique portraits. A hidden gem right next to the Phoenix Zoo! If you choose the last session of the day right before sunset, we may even have a few minutes to capture the mountains in the background! 

 

 

Sahuaro Ranch Park (Glendale): Also known as the famous Peacock Park! Gorgeous trees, an orange grove, and historic buildings give us rich textures and colors for any portrait session. 

 

 

Heritage & Science Park (Phoenix): Historic Heritage Square next to the Arizona Science Center is loaded with rich textures and variety—a marvelous spot right in the heart of the city! Parking downtown takes a little time, but the variety is well worth it! 

 

 

Verrado Founders Park (Verrado): So many beautiful parks in Verrado, but this one is my absolute favorite in the West Valley. Elegant charm and beautiful backdrops everywhere. 

Ready to pick your spot and get some glowy Arizona memories? Let’s capture those amazing photo moments! 

I learned a lot from this engagement session. 1) Miracles do exist! You can find snow in the desert (even when it doesn’t rain)! 2) Aaron has diverse music tastes and is especially good at road trip playlists. 3) Rachael is one of the most thoughtful, intentional, and creative people of all time!

 

Needless to say, we had a blast. In case you can’t guess where she got her inspiration for the colors and theme of this day – it was definitely from one of Disney’s greatest love stories of all time, Beauty and the Beast. That was the inspiration for the delicate rose, the deep red cloak, the royal navy suit, and that fabulous gold dress! (And part of the reason we were on the hunt for that elusive desert snow.) I know right?! It’s literally the best ever!! And there was no better way to celebrate our successful photo shoot than Thai food on the way home! See, it was literally the best ever!

 

Rachael and Aaron, I enjoyed our time so much together. It was truly a great adventure. I had a blast catching up on life — you have so much to look forward to in your future. Whether it’s moving into a new place together after you are married, finishing school, growing your career and family, or even just watching fun television shows together, your future is SO bright. But what I loved the most was your deep love and natural joy with each other. It was a privilege to watch you care with such unintentional intentionality. (Yes, I know those words are opposites but it describes exactly what I saw.) Enjoy every moment because you only get this engagement once. And I don’t know about you, but I am sure getting excited for your wedding day. I hope you love your photos as much as I loved taking them. The best is yet to be!!