Engagement & Proposal Sessions

A short 35 minute drive from Phoenix lays a little magical spot in the Tonto National Forest. At first glance, Coon’s Bluff may not seem like a lot. But for those couples who enjoy the simple pleasures in life, such as a bike ride together or a picnic at twilight, it’s decorated with intricately shaped trees and whispering grasses.

Coon’s Bluff is gorgeous in perfect lighting! It offers a desert element for photos, with just a touch of greenery and water features to make things pop. There is an ever changing river which gives each shoot its own unique look and feel.

Being so near Phoenix, it makes the perfect quick get away for a magical, memory-making photo shoot.

Sometimes we get lucky and see the wild horses grazing at the river side or moving through the trees.

I’ll meet you nearby to have you follow me to the parking lot, as cell service tends to be unreliable. There is a small fee of $8 for the parking lot.

Full of culture and breathtaking architecture, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a perfect fit for those who adore the Japanese aesthetic.

With beautiful bridges, lush greenery, exotic lanterns, water features, and much more, this gem in the heart of Phoenix is like a little escape to paradise! It’s ideal for the couple looking for something less desert-like. Additionally, for those who love birds, you’re likely to see hawks, doves, hummingbirds, and herons (to name a few).

The garden is closed during the scorching Arizona summer, from August-September.

If you’d like to make this beautiful location your primary photography spot, they do require a reservation and a separate fee from general admission.

Watson Lake, and its awe-inspiring rock formations and otherworldly atmosphere set the stage for a magical visual narrative. About 2 hours north of Phoenix and reminiscent of scenes from a sci-fi movie, this setting transports you to another realm. A tranquil oasis that beckons exploration.

If you love the idea of lush greens for your photos, don’t despair! While it can seem like Arizona is just made up of arid desert, there’s a perfect secret spot for you hidden in the Granite Dells near Watson Lake. This little spot is so green you’ll hardly know you’re in Arizona! Plus, it’s close enough to Watson Lake that we can still get those famous photos of Arizona’s wide-open spaces if you’d like a mix of both.

There is a parking fee of $3 at Watson Lake.

Like something straight out of a fairytale, the Ashley Castle in Chandler is an elegant and simply magical venue location. It is perfect for those couples who are looking for a medieval or fantasy fairy-tale themed ambiance. Fountains, gardens, elaborately made wooden doors, and more awaits you at this amazing location.

Whether you want to take advantage of the castle’s fantastic exterior elements, or marvel at the elegant interior for photos, there is no doubt that any spot in this venue will be a dream come true in the making.

Unfortunately, they do not allow photo shots on weekends or during special event days. While they say they reserve the right to reschedule photoshoots if a scheduling conflict arises, they usually don’t.

Also listed in my elopement guide, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located in Superior, Arizona (about 1 hour east of Phoenix). Nestled in the beauty of Picketpost Mountain, it’s a plant lover’s paradise! Featuring all kinds of desert and dry land plants, the Arboretum offers a unique element for an engagement shoot. For those who are looking to mix things up and bring a natural, almost mysterious, feel to their photo shoot location, this is definitely a spot to consider.

With varied landscapes that showcase mesas, cacti, awe-inspiring colors, and forested areas containing green accents, photos taken at at the arboretum will be perfect for anyone who dreams of adventure filled with freedom, love, and laughter.

This location experiences all the seasons and is beautiful year round. Only the $24.95 per person entry fee is required to have a professional photo shoot here.

For hiking enthusiasts, Cathedral Rock is about 2 hours north of Phoenix. This gorgeous trailhead is an optimal location to capture a photo shoot. With towering rock peaks and red hues weaving across the landscape, even the simplest of photos can be a showstopper!

The hike offers multiple locations for stopping to admire the beauty of Sedona. And if the rocky landscape isn’t your scene, you can still capture the essence of Sedona’s beautiful red rock with just a short walk down to the Red Rock States Park.

Cathedral Rock also offers various opportunities, such as a swimming hole and lush green foliage to capture the elements of this beautiful location. Just be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes to the shoot as the rocks can be a bit slippery here!

If you want photos from the top of the bluff, you will need to carry your clothing in a backpack (along with water!). You can change once we reach the top, so do not worry if you don’t want hiking shoes to be in the photos!

No fees or scheduling is required.

Tlaquepaque is another absolutely stunning location in Sedona full of amazing features that make for a breathtaking photo shoot. Thanks to the beautifully placed foliage and towering Sycamore trees, nature alone is enough to enchant anyone. Pair it with the intricate fountain features and interesting architecture, and you end up with a gorgeous location where any angle is picture worthy.

The art galleries, unique shops, gorgeous courtyards, cobblestone paths, and vibrant flowers make the Talaque Parque a magical place. It’s fantastic for capturing beautiful and memorable engagement or post wedding photos.

No fees, hiking, or scheduling is necessary. However, weekends can be a challenge with the number of people also enjoying the area.

Freestone is an excellent location for those who absolutely love tapping into their inner child together! Featuring elements like softball fields, a skate park, a large wooden bridge walk, 3 playground areas with colorful swings and slides, and a beautiful lake area (complete with ducks!), there is no doubt that multiple unique photo opportunities are available.

Nestled in the town of Gilbert, Freestone Park offers an excellent atmosphere of love and laughter. It is absolutely perfect for showcasing the happiness and hope of your engagement.

As an engagement photographer, my favorite spot is along the hill at sunset. It creates the perfect conditions for stunning silhouette shots.

No fees or scheduling required.

Perhaps one of the most popular elements of the Scottsdale Civic Center is the large red LOVE sculpture. This impressive structure is perfect for capturing the overall theme of wedding and engagement shoots — love! For those who enjoy classic photos with fun poses, such as piggy-back rides and holding hands with balloons, this sculpture is an excellent addition of whimsy to your photos.

Additionally, thanks to the fact that the Scottsdale Civic Center is in the middle of downtown Scottsdale with a free parking garage, it’s a breeze to walk to, capture some photos, and grab a quick dinner after the shoot.

There are no fees or scheduling required.

Want to get all of those cactus vibes for your engagement session in Phoenix, but don’t want to travel way out of the city to do it? Don’t like hiking? Or dirt? Or chaos? The Desert Botanical Garden is it! An engagement shoot or a surprise proposal at Desert Botanical Garden brings ALL the cacti to you in a close convenient area.

This also happens to be one of my favorite places to shoot. There is so much variety in the landscape, and it’s a dream around sunset. Best of all, it’s located right in the middle of Phoenix, close to both downtown Phoenix and Tempe, if you happen to be out that way. Easy parking, easy walking, gorgeous photos.

There is something different around every corner, and there are so many different types of plants and little areas to choose from. Even when I’m not photographing, I like to bring friends and family from out of town to visit here because it’s such a beautiful place. Plus, you can even get married here!

There is a fee for scheduling a photo shoot, and an application process. If you’re interested in going, please let me know far enough in advance so I can get the permit.