5 of the Best Arizona Photography Locations
From cacti to canyons, Arizona has some incredible backdrops for engagement photos, couples photos, maternity photos, you name it. If you’re looking for a few places to take pictures in Phoenix, AZ, you’re in the right place to discover some unforgettable scenery.
As an Arizona photographer, a few backdrops stick out to me that truly create print-worthy photos that you’ll want hanging on your walls. So, I’m sharing my top 5 places that Arizona has to offer where you can capture your love. If you become as obsessed as I am with the places on this list, I’d love to work together!
The Desert
If you’ve seen my Instagram feed, this will be an obvious one. The golden tones of the desert as the sun sets are truly unbeatable. If you’re going for a neutral, earthy vibe, the desert is going to be perfect for you. You’ll find lots of saguaro cacti (the big, iconic cacti if you don’t know what I’m referring to) in the desert areas surrounding Phoenix. You’ll also see plenty of other types of cacti too! Tucson is also a great place for finding these big beautiful cacti. When you book a session with me, I’ve got all of my favorite cacti scoped out and will bring you to my favorite desert location, about 30 minutes from the Phoenix airport!
Sedona Red Rocks
Sedona’s red rocks are another stunning backdrop for photos that Arizona has to offer. It’s probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited to be honest. If you love this red rock vibe, Sedona has endless trailheads that don’t require much hiking to get big, beautiful views that you won’t find anywhere else in AZ. If you fly into the Phoenix airport, Sedona is about a 2 hour drive north. I also recommend neutral colored clothing to keep your outfits from clashing with these red and orange backdrops!
Arizona Lakes
Arizona lakes are probably a little overlooked, but they’re so unique! Near the Phoenix area, you’ll find Lake Pleasant with crystal clear water and lots of trails overlooking the water. A little further east are Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake (pictured below), which are perfect if you’re looking for some pretty canyon wall backdrops and mountains in the distance. If you want to travel to Northern Arizona, Lake Powell will take your breath away with sandstone cliffs and beautiful water.
Mountain Views
I would describe many of the mountains in the Phoenix area a little differently than your typical Colorado or Montana mountains. They won’t be quite as green and likely won’t be covered in snow; they’re going to be pretty neutral with browns and tans! The Superstition Mountains, located east of Phoenix are steep, jagged peaks that rise sharply from the desert floor, and are more ‘cliff like.’ I also love the mountain views along Busch Highway traveling from Lost Dutchman State Park to Canyon Lake (pictured below)!
Canyon Views
Arizona is known as ‘The Grand Canyon State,’ so we can’t forget about the canyon views you can find here. I left this one for last because I do prefer the other locations more, however, if you’re super adventurous and don’t mind getting close to the edge of a 1000 + foot drop to get the best shots, then Horseshoe Bend (pictured below) or the Grand Canyon might just be right up your alley!
Let’s work together!
Now that you’ve found some of the most beautiful places to take your couples photos near Phoenix, Arizona, I’d love to join you, and I can’t wait to capture all of the joy surrounding whatever significant chapter you’re celebrating as a couple.