Here is my list of locations I like for photo shoots. I will continuously update this list with links, photos, and more information.
PHOENIX
Roosevelt Row – lots of murals and cool buildings, lots of walking, urban, lots of possibilities for interesting backgrounds, bright and colorful, lots of traffic.
Downtown Phoenix the Orpheum Theatre, the Old Courthouse, and the Monroe Abbey were all built in the 1920s and they are cool backgrounds, I know of cool brick alleys, some murals, good for hotter times because we can stay in shade, quiet on the weekends usually (unless there are sporting events.) I know of good parking garage locations that have great views and are great at sunset.
Hance Park/Deck Park – I have never photographed here, but if I did, this is what I would do: first walk along the fence connected to the Japanese Friendship Garden where there are pretty plants and trees, head to the street south of the Friendship Garden that is a cool urban area, walk towards the light rail and bridge and come back through the neighborhood of historic houses. If parents wanted pics of kids playing, the Hance playground is unique with a fox, owl, and rabbit tower/slide/platform. (Busy location, week days are much quieter.)
Japanese Friendship Garden – gorgeous location with trees, flowers, water. Permit is $300 per hour, only available on Mondays and Wednesdays.
TEMPE
ASU campus – great for when it gets hot because there is shade and we can go into buildings for AC, urban and nature/flowers, moderate to lots of walking, pay for parking, quiet on the weekends. The Secret Garden spot is peaceful, pretty, worth visiting. James Turrells’s light sculpture would be worth visiting.
Mill Avenue Bridge and Hayden Flour Mill in Tempe – urban, lots of walking, pay for parking, great at sunrise and sunset, lots of traffic.
Papago Park/outside the Phoenix Zoo – lots of walking, lots of great spots, may need to drive around between good spots, free to park, I always aim to be on the pyramid hill right at sunset when the city lights start to be visible.
Tempe Town Lake – lots of walking, can be great at sunset, Tempe Arts Center bridge is cool looking, can be crowded with people. Can be combined with Mill Avenue Bridge and Hayden Flour Mill (bit of a walk)
MESA
Downtown Mesa – urban, lots of walking, murals, some spots of nature. The Mesa Arts Center is a cool spot.
Mesa Community Rose Garden- This place is amazing if you love flowers, blooms are best at the end of December and April to May, less walking, nature, cool murals across the street (would have to add extra time for walking or driving for that.)
The Meadow in Mesa - super easy parking, very limited walking, very green, $75 plus tax per hour to book from owner
Mesa LDS Temple – lots of flowers. I have only photographed here once for a wedding, but I have been told that anyone can go there and photograph. Easy parking, moderate walking.
CHANDLER
Veteran’s Oasis Park in Chandler, AZ – moderate walking, lake and trees, desert, lots of spots that are great, gets more green in late March/April. There are apple trees that bloom at the beginning of April.
The Ashley Castle - https://theashleycastle.com/ Only available during the week, not on weekends. $100 per hour.
GILBERT
Riparian Preserve – Gilbert, AZ – parking can be limited, but lots of great spots, does not get green until April. Mostly trees, has one desert spot with saguaro cactus that photographers love.
The Groves Church in Gilbert – I was amazed at this spot. Fun and good light. Easy spot for kids. There is an orchard of trees and board walks to run/walk on and a little playground and coffee shop. Trees lose their leaves in late November, I am not sure when leaves come back on the trees. The church welcomes people using the location as long as there is not a church service going on. Easy parking, moderate walking.
Four Silos Olive Grove and Farm – Easy spot for kids, super easy parking, very limited walking, very green, $35 plus tax per hour to book from owner. Their white flower trees bloom about February 8th, their purple flower trees bloom about April 10th.
Downtown Gilbert – lots of great spots, lots of walking. Murals, nature, alleys, rooftop garage, shops, have to deal with traffic/lots of people
Zanjero Park – gets green in April, moderate walking, almost always very quiet, almost nobody is ever there, hill to climb on, green farmers field, savannah looking trees, wildflowers in April (if we get rain)
Bridge at Riparian Preserve – tall cottonwood trees (leaves turn yellow in early December and fall off trees late December and come back on in late March) I would not recommend this site for little kids who are very drawn to water, the water here is rushing. I brought my nephew here and I was so afraid he was going to fall in the water, I made us leave quickly. That said, this place is gorgeous with tall cottonwood trees and water and a great spot at sunset – better for older kids and adults.
Greenhouse- Rustic, Outdoor, Open Air and Natural Light Photography and Video Studio - $70 per hour. I have never photographed here, but I have seen work by other photographers here and it looks like a fun spot!
https://www.peerspace.com/pages/listings/65c6786cb7519f000e480d58
Mother Nature’s Farm – the last time I rented the space in December 2023, it was $50. I loved having this huge space to myself and my clients for photography and exploring/wandering around/playing.
Agritopia (excluding the orchard) – lots of pretty spots, green and flowers. $75 per day permit.
Agritopia peach and citrus orchard – $99 – so green and pretty. On their website they say these dates are still available: January 31, February 1 and 28, March 1, 14, 15, 21 and 22nd.
QUEEN CREEK
Queen Creek Wash – easy parking, lots of walking, pretty, very nature-y and wild, next to a bike path and golf course that can be good spots, sometimes there is running water in the wash and I have had kids want to wade in the water, must be ok with getting dusty/dirty/muddy shoes, must be ok with trees being wild and not “perfect” looking.
Hagen Farms – orange orchard and cool looking big white farmhouse. $50 - $100 for photographer permit the last time I inquired.
Queen Creek Botanical Garden – This location is so pretty with trees, flowers, a lake. Cost is $150 for 90 minutes.
APACHE JUNCTION/EAST VALLEY DESERT
Lost Dutchman State Park – must pay admission per car, moderate walking, best at sunset, great if you want that “iconic” desert view, great desert location
The Salt River – river in the background. Phon D Sutton and Water Users are two sights that photogs like. I have only photographed out there once. Must buy Tonto Forest Permit ($12?)
Butcher Jones Beach at Saguaro Lake – super crowded in summer, so best on week days that time of year. Lots of variety with water and trees and desert. Must buy Tonto Forest Permit ($12?)
SCOTTSDALE
Downtown Scottsdale/Scottsdale Civic
Possibly lots of walking, pay for parking, iconic LOVE statue is fun. Lots of little spots, some little bits of nature amongst urban. There is a tiny little alley that is fun for photos.
Tom’s Thumb – I have never been here, lots of photogs love it and do awesome desert photos here, getting that kind of classic/iconic desert look. I think it’s a lot of walking.
BUCKEYE
Sweet Flower Home – Buckeye, AZ – broccoli fields – broccoli has yellow flowers and blooms March/April $65 extra permit paid to the farm owner. (This is the same farm that has sunflowers in the fall.) Fields can possibly be dusty or muddy and have bees.
Nardini Manor - https://nardinimanor.com/ Historic house on 5 acres with tall pine trees, stone lions out front, and a hedgerow maze. $150 per hour during the week.
VERRADO
Verrado parks/downtown Verrado – I have never photographed here, but I know a lot of photographers love it and it looks picturesque.
VALLEYWIDE
Moon Valley Nurseries – I have always wanted to do a shoot at a Moon Valley Nursery. I have been told that there is no charge and that it is allowed….although I would have to see if that is still the case.