Perhaps it is due to me living in the East Valley, but personally I believe this area of the Phoenix Valley has the best natural photo locations! From pockets of greenery, rivers and waterways to dramatic mountain views - and honestly some of the best lush desert in the state - the East Valley has so much to choose from!
So if you’ve been looking for the perfect backdrop for your next session, here are some locations that are among my personal favorites!
1) Lower Salt River Area - Mesa
Location Snapshot:
The Vibe: Gorgeous river front riparian desert area with several spots offering iconic mountain views!
Accessibility: Greatly depends on which recreational area you go to! Typically easy to moderate - great for those who are adventurous or want to add a variety of scenery to their sessions!
My top pick for elopements and micro-weddings! Best spot for maternity sessions with water! Always a fantastic choice for engagements and family sessions!
We always seem to want what we can’t have, and since we live in a desert, that thing is water! Beautiful waterfront locations are few and far between in Arizona, but we are incredibly lucky to have the beautiful Salt River flowing through the Phoenix valley! In Mesa, we have a large part of the river accessible for recreation and photography use known as the Lower Salt River Area!
This area is one of the most versatile in the valley! Within this stretch of river, there are several different recreational areas to choose from - each one offering something a little different! The Lower Salt River Area offers things like mountain views, beautiful riverways, lush mesquite forests, pockets of untouched desert, and in the spring is a great place for wildflowers! Having so many options makes it a great choice for engagement sessions, maternity sessions, family sessions, even micro weddings and elopements! Plus, because of the way this area is situated, you can find stunning backdrops for both morning AND evening sessions which truly makes this location the whole package!
Pro Tip: While you don't need a specific photography permit here, you are required to purchase a Tonto Daily Pass (currently $8) or bring your America the Beautiful/National Parks Pass. You can grab these at nearby gas stations, REI, or Big 5 before we meet up! Here is a PDF from the U.S. Forest Service about vendors/places where you can buy your pass: TONTO PASS VENDOR LIST
2) The Rose Garden at MCC - Mesa
Location Snapshot:
The Vibe: Colorful manicured rose garden with brick pathways and intricate metal gazebos and bridges.
Accessibility: This space is accessible straight from the parking lot! There are plenty of flat brick paths and even the grassy areas are very easy to navigate.
Perfect for maternity, engagement, family and graduation sessions where you want a pop of color and to not feel like you are in the desert!
Want to add manicured rose gardens and lush greenery to your session? Then you definitely need to check out the Mesa Community College Rose Garden! There is truly nothing quite like this spot in the valley - or the state for that matter! The other locations that come close, you either have to pay a pretty penny to shoot at or they are a fraction of the size! So, it is definitely a hidden gem that is worth consideration!
This location is a seasonal location, with pruning taking place in late December and January, leading to full blooms by April and May. However, even if you want a session here when the roses are not in bloom, the greenery and architectural touches still make for gorgeous photos! Whether you are looking for a pop of color for your maternity session, some greenery for your prom or graduation pictures, or a fun and immersive family session - this location has a little bit of everything for everyone! Plus, it is one of the few Arizona locations that truly makes you feel like you have left the desert behind!
Fun Tip: This location is situated within Mesa’s Asian district with one of my family’s personal favorite Asian grocery stores Asiana Market right across the street! Asiana Market hosts a variety of DELICIOUS restaurants inside and around! Plus, it is always fun to shop around and try a few new snacks. So, consider having a light snack before and enjoying a yummy meal after your session!
3) First Water Trailhead - Superstition Mountains, Mesa
Location Snapshot:
The Vibe: Lush desert with close, dynamic views of the Superstition Mountains!
Accessibility: Great for all ages! Terrain is overall flat with a few steady inclines. Beautiful views are just a short distance from the parking lot - but we can go as far as you want!
Perfect for extended or large family sessions! Dog-friendly area - especially for those pups who need space! The go-to spot for engagement sessions!
Have an extra large family? Looking for a spot to do an extended family session around the holidays? Or maybe you want a spot where you can do family portraits with your dog who requires privacy? Well look no further, because First Water Trailhead can do it all while also still providing a feeling of privacy!
Located right next door to the famous Lost Dutchman State Park is First Water Trailhead. This area gives you the same spectacular view of the striking Superstition Mountains while also providing some of the most lush desert that you can find in the state!! Whenever my clients ask for mountain views, my first suggestion is always First Water Trailhead! In fact, this location is also a favorite among my couples for their engagement sessions and I often have new couples send me photos of my past sessions here as their inspo pics! This location is truly a showstopper!
Besides the immense beauty of this location, another fantastic thing about it is that every time I shoot here, I find new spots that I absolutely love! So every session is truly unique, special, and curated to your needs! In addition, although it is a pretty well known spot within the photography community, the area is large enough to ensure that everyone has their own space to do their own thing!
Cautionary Tip: Although the area is large, the parking lot here is quite small! On busy weekend nights, it can be tricky to snag a spot! So if we are shooting with a larger group, I always recommend carpooling and arriving early.
4) Gilbert’s “Secret” Canal Path - Ocotillo and Higley, Gilbert
Location Snapshot:
The Vibe: A true “Midwest Escape” in the heart of Gilbert, Arizona.
Accessibility: The canal features two easy trails that are, overall, even stroller/wagon friendly!
Perfect for a genuine out of desert experience! Beautiful backdrops for maternity, family, graduation, and engagement sessions! A definite go-to location for those craving fall colors!
This lesser known Gilbert location is another spot that satiates that “want what you can’t have” feeling! It features a beautiful canal with two paths on both sides that are lined with green grass and plenty of lush deciduous cottonwood trees! This is one of the last locations in the Phoenix valley that provides a truly out of state experience - and that is coming from someone raised in the Midwest! And because the trees are deciduous, the cottonwoods turn to a beautiful yellow in Arizona’s fall season! Because of the way the canal is situated, this location works well for morning and afternoon sessions - It tends to have quiet mornings and busy sunsets!
The lush canal isn’t the only showstopper at this location - it also sports a beautiful grassy field lined with trees and mountain views! However, the field seems to be a very “if you are lucky” type of location. If you are lucky, you may visit this field when the grass is tall giving your session boho and cottagecore vibes. But, the grass isn’t left tall forever and is cut down by the city. The field is also flooded on an “as needed” basis which can feel random. You likely will not know until the day of your session if the field is able to be used so keep that in mind if you are booking this location specifically for the field!
This location is amazing for everything from engagement and couple sessions to maternity and graduation portraits - you truly can’t go wrong here! I have also utilized this space on more than one occasion to create studio style sets! Between having two diverse scenery options and all the different sessions you can do here - this area is truly maximized on versatility!
Pro Tip: Because this area is flooded frequently, it is important to pack bug spray for your session! Although the times I have visited, neither me nor my clients had issues, I have heard of others having a difficult time dealing with mosquitoes.
5) Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - Gilbert
Location Snapshot:
The Vibe: One of the largest, and accessible, Arizona forests with options for water backdrops or photos with saguaros!
Accessibility: There is a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the trails BUT the trails are either paved or extremely well maintained making it one of the most accessibility friendly locations available! It is also shaded!
Perfect for large family, maternity, graduation, and family sessions!
When people talk about East Valley photo locations they always bring up Gilbert Riparian Preserve! This spot is incredibly famous and is generally always suggested whenever anyone mentions the word “green”. For good reason too! This area is incredibly unique because it features Arizona’s own version of a forest - a mesquite forest!
The Riparian Preserve is MASSIVE! Featuring several walking trails lined by trees to provide plenty of privacy, tons of little streams, several ponds for beautiful watery backdrops, fantasy-like tree tunnels, their own grove of saguaros, and so much more! This location is great for kids since it provides tons of things to grab their attention or negotiate cooperation. The trails are well-maintained and flat which also makes it great for grandparents or anyone with mobility concerns - making it a great location for multi-generational sessions!
Because it is an Arizona forest, it stays green all year making it the perfect 4-season location! But if you want something extra special, visit in the spring to see wildflowers and baby animals! This location is also a great option for morning and afternoon sessions - there really is no question as to why it is a community favorite! Whether you are doing a family session, maternity session, engagement session, or something else the Riparian Preserve is always a beautiful choice!
Pro Tip: Although it is a great location for those with mobility issues, there is also some walking involved to get from the parking lot(s) to the area where we shoot. ALWAYS talk to your photographer about any concerns you may have regarding your family/group so we can create a safe and fun environment for all!
Safety Tip: The water here is reclaimed water meaning it is NOT safe to swim or wade in nor is it safe to drink. There are other areas in the East Valley, Phoenix Valley, and in Arizona in general where it IS safe to get into the water for photos - this is NOT one of them! Although the water will not kill you, it is best to look vs touch.
Found a location that you love and ready to schedule your own session? Reach out today!