Today’s post is all about the best photo locations in Arizona! I am super excited to share some of my favorite places to take my clients. I have been able to visit some amazing locations and cannot wait to cross more off my bucket list! Arizona is truly full of so much beauty! From Phoenix up to Flagstaff, here are some of my favorite places to shoot!

Best Photo Locations in Arizona

1. Crescent Moon Ranch ⎪ Sedona

Cost: $11.00 per vehicle to park. No photo permit required.

Crescent Moon Ranch is a great location if you’re looking to get some amazing red rocks and tall trees in the backdrops of your photos! About a 2 hour drive from Phoenix, this location offers so much. There is a wide open field as well as stream right in front of Cathedral Rock. If you go at sunset, you will have to do your best to work with the light as it has direct light until the sun is close to hiding behind the horizon!

You can also drive up the road to the overlook where the last photo was taken. You will be left breathless with this amazing view!

2. Buffalo Park ⎪ Flagstaff

Cost: Free!

Buffalo Park is definitely one of my go-to’s in Flagstaff and for good reason. There is a large parking lot and it offers so much space! These photos were taken in late fall and a couple of hours after sunrise. I imagine this location would be great at both sunrise and sunset.

If you’re looking for open fields, mountain backdrops, or tall pines then this is the location for you! It is located about 2.5 hours from Phoenix.

3. Downtown Tempe & Mill Ave Bridge

Cost: Free!

Downtown Tempe has to be my favorite downtown/city location in all of Arizona. I love all of the different backdrops we can find within a short walk! On top of that, the Mill Ave Bridge is just SO COOL. Best time to shoot at the bridge is as close to sunrise or sunset as there is strong, direct sunlight.

4. Water Users Recreation Site ⎪ Salt River

Cost: $7-$12

Oh, I just love the Salt River. There are beautiful stops all along the way, but my favorite is at Water Users Recreation Site. All parking sites along the Salt River require a parking pass. These passes (Tonto passes) can be purchased ahead of time at various retailers.

Water Users has an amazing cliff. If you are wanting the glowy, sun peeking behind the cliff look, you will need to go at sunrise. If you shoot here in the evenings, the cliff will have direct sunlight until sunset. Both times you can find beautiful light!

5. Boyce Thompson Arboretum ⎪Globe

Cost: $15.00 per person

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a fantastic location for photos! Just a little over an hour east of Phoenix, it offers so many beautiful backdrops. I love this location for shoots that need to take place outside of sunrise and sunset times as the trees provide amazing shade a light for my clients.

Arizona Photographer

Well, there you have it! Five of the best photo locations in Arizona. I hope to write more posts in the future to share more! I love this beautiful state. If you would like to work with me, I would love to chat! Please send me an inquiry here.

xoxo,

Nicole