✅ Got the right family photographer for the session, check.
Time to choose the right place for your family portraits. Phoenix is a beautiful city. There are a lot of great outdoor places in the Phoenix Valley to take your family pictures.
8 Places Near Phoenix to Take Your Family Photos
Below is a list of my favorite outdoor locations near Phoenix for you to take your family photos. Take about ten to fifteen minutes to read and scroll through the photos below. I've included photos from family sessions, where the park is located, and my personal opinion of each park.
Sahuaro Ranch Park in Glendale
A very popular place to take family photos. This is where most of my family sessions take place. It has a rustic, ranch theme for photography. There are two farmhouses, a rose garden, and a barn that you can reserve for events. Plus, the playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas that you normally see at parks. There are lots of great spots in the park that don't feel like you're in one place. Scroll through the photos and you'll see what I mean. You won't believe it's the same location. And the scenery varies depending on the season.
Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of each family portrait session, clients' testimonials, and why this park is a top choice for a family portrait session. I also included links from my quinceañera sessions.
Steel Indian School Park in Phoenix
Steele Indian School Park has great features for photography, a lake, walking trails, and green open fields. Plus, it has historical buildings and a bridge that has a history. I don't know the full history of this park, but I'm aware it has a lot of significance to Phoenix. Scroll through the family photos and take a look. Fun fact, my sister and I had our quinceañera session at this park with our court of honor.
Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of photo sessions, clients' testimonials, and why this park in Phoenix is a great choice for a family portrait session.
Scorpion Gulch Trail at South Mountain
If you are looking for a desert mountain background, this spot is great! It looks like you're in the middle of the desert when you're 20 mins from Downtown Phoenix. I highly recommend your family session at sunrise, to capture that desert sun. A great location to capture that desert mountain.
Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of photo sessions, client's testimonials, and why South Mountain is a great choice for a family portrait session.
Encanto Park in Phoenix
The most popular park in Phoenix. This park is part of the Historical Neighborhoods in Phoenix. A great park to spend the afternoon with the whole family. It has a mini amusement park for the young kids, a lake with great mini-rivers, playgrounds, and lots of green open fields. This is not my favorite park for family photography, but I do recommend it. Encanto Park does offer a decent background. Scroll through the photos and let me know in the comments what's your personal opinion about this location. I haven't done a family session at this location, yet - but I've done senior year portraits and a quinceañera session.
Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of photo session, clients' testimonials, and why this park is a decent choice for a portrait session.
Tempe Beach Park
This is an amazing place to go hang out! Tempe Beach Park has a beach and city vides at the same time. I wanna say it's a hipster, but it might be overreaching. I haven't done a family portrait session at this location, but I've done a quince session and senior year portrait session. Plus, fun photo session with my little sister. Scroll through the photos and let me know how you would describe Tempe Beach Park in one word in the comments below.
Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of the photos session, clients' testimonials, and why this park is a top choice for a portrait session.
Anthem Community Park
Ready to step into a beautiful garden with an amazing waterfall? Anthem Community Park reminds me of Beauty and the Beast, not sure why. When I first discovered this park, I fell in love with the waterfall. The only con about this park is that is a 45 min drive from Downtown Phoenix. Other than that, this park is a top choice for family portraits. This park is where I build my quinceañera photography portfolio with my cousins, and where I discovered that I needed to step up my posing and directing skills. Tap on the photos to enlarge and scroll through the photos. Check out the amazing waterfall this park has to offer.
I haven't done a family session at this location, but image a family wall portrait with that waterfall in the background! Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of photo sessions, clients' testimonials, and why this park is a top choice for a family portrait session.
Freestone Park in Gilbert
This park is very similar to Anthem Community Park. It has a waterfall and a lake. The only difference is that it's in Gilbert, southeast of Phoenix. It's becoming my popular location for family photos. I highly recommend this location. It has amazing spots for portrait photography. A quinceañera offered this location since she was celebrating her quince in Gilbert and I wasn't familiar with the area. (Click here to take a closer look at her quinceañera photos). Scroll through the photos below.
Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of photo sessions, clients' testimonials, and why this park in Gilbert is a great choice for a family session.
Mansel Carter Oasis Park in Queen Creek
This park is an hour away from Phoenix, but it's worth the drive. Mansel Carter Oasis Park is right by Queen Creek Wash Trail, and this trail gives a beach feel to the photos. Scroll through the photos and imagine your family photos at the beach without really being in at the beach.
Here is a list of blog posts that includes behind-the-scenes videos of photo sessions, clients' testimonials, and why this location is worth the drive for a family portrait session.
Where are you going to spend time with your family?
Which location caught your eye? Let me know in the comments below. If you are still wondering if booking a family session is worth it, click here. Continue scrolling through my blog, I'm certain you'll be inspired into booking a family session. Share this blog post with a friend or family member who is looking for a great place for family photos.
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