Arizona has so much more than just the desert landscapes - it is filled with natural beauty, making it ideal for engagement photos!

Arizona Engagement Photos

Planning your engagement photos in Arizona means having a wide variety of backdrops to choose from, all so equally gorgeous. Whether you’re dreaming of red rock vibes in Sedona, desert sunsets in Phoenix, or the cool pine forests up in Flagstaff, you have plenty of options! It’s all about the overall vibe you want, whether it’s adventurous, modern, or scenic. There’s an abundance of natural beauty here in Arizona, which makes for some incredible photos!

Lost Dutchman State Park Engagement Photos

Lost Dutchman State Park perfectly fits exactly what you’d want for an Arizona engagement session: desert plant life, plenty of cacti, dramatic mountains, and the stunning golden sunsets. It is such a beautiful place to explore and it truly gorgeous backdrop!

This park is a very convenient location, if you’re hoping to still be close to the Phoenix area. There are some locations in the park that may take more of a hike, but for this session it was just a short walk to over to an area filled with cacti and unobstructed views of the stunning mountains. It was the most perfect place to capture these two!

Arizona Engagement Photo Locations

Arizona is filled with the most flawless landscapes, with the wide open desert views, cacti, red rocks, and even the wooded mountain areas in the northern part of the state. Choosing where to do your engagement photos all depends on the type of vibe you have envisioned for your session. So here are a few popular and stunning locations around Arizona that would all make a great choice for your engagement photos!

Lost Dutchman State Park

Lost Dutchman State Park, the location for this session, is such a gem here in Arizona and the landscape truly can’t be beat. You have the iconic Superstition Mountains as your backdrop, as well as all of the gorgeous cacti. It’s also such a large park that you typically won’t run into other people, and are sure to find a private spot for your session. It’s a quick drive from Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mesa making it a perfect location if you’re wanting to stay in this part of the state!

Scottsdale

Scottsdale is filled with unique spots that would be perfect for capturing your engagement photos! You can do a session with a bit of city vibes in Old Town Scottsdale, find a unique hotel like Sonder the Monarch or Omni Resort & Spa and take photos around the property, or visit the nearby Desert Botanical Garden to have a backdrop of all the desert native plants.

Sedona

If you want some of the most unbeatable surroundings for your engagement photos, Sedona is definitely the spot! The red rock formations are absolutely breathtaking and no matter what, with these as your background, you’re sure to have the most incredible photos! There’s dramatic chapels, churches, as well as Oak Creek to give you all kinds of options for your session.

Make a full trip out of your session and enjoy all of the top-notch shopping and dining in town. And if you enjoy hikes, try out Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or Devil’s Bridge for some extra adventure. Create some memories here and have the photos as a way to remember it!

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend, near Page, Arizona, is an iconic location with towering cliffs overlooking the Colorado River. Take a short walk and this popular tourist spot will give you unparalleled views and an opportunity for really beautiful photos. This is another location that means a bit of an adventure, but it’s typically a more intimate setting and there’s a reason it’s such a well-known and loved destination!

Saguaro National Park

This park, with its iconic saguaro cacti and vast desert landscape, provides a classic Arizona backdrop for engagement photos. It is divided into two sections, East and West, each offering unique and beautiful settings. The striking silhouettes of the cacti against the sunset create a dramatic and timeless image, perfect for capturing the essence of Arizona.

When to Take Arizona Engagement Photos

Arizona offers different experiences depending on the season and location you choose for your engagement photos. It all depends on the vibe that you’re looking for! So let’s cover what each season can be like here in Arizona.

Spring (March to April): Spring is really beautiful in desert areas like Sedona or the Superstition Mountains, where wildflowers bloom with comfortably warm temperatures. It can be especially beautiful in early spring, like March, where you have the cooler temps of winter lingering and you have the opportunity to just explore the area without worrying about heat!

Summer (June to August): Summers can be scorching hot, especially in places like Phoenix. Opt for higher elevation locations such as Flagstaff or Sedona, or plan for a late evening session to escape the midday heat. But if you’re planning a session in Scottsdale or Phoenix area, you’ll probably want to avoid the months of June-August (and sometimes May & September as well!)

Fall (September to November): Fall brings cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage, especially in northern Arizona. The weather during this season is generally beautiful across the state, although the warm temps of summer are still there in September and October typically. Choose a late fall session if you are looking for fall foliage in Phoenix, or head up north in early fall where the weather is already dropping, making it truly gorgeous!

Winter (December to February): Winters are mild in southern Arizona, making desert locations perfect for a cozy winter engagement session. In northern Arizona, expect colder temperatures and the possibility of snow, adding a magical touch to locations like Sedona or Flagstaff.

What to Wear for Arizona Engagement Photos

When planning what to wear for your engagement photos in Arizona, you do have to think about the specific location and season. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are essential for the hotter months, while layers are useful for higher elevations and cooler seasons.

If you’re planning an adventure engagement session, like hiking to a remote location, be sure to bring comfortable hiking shoes and extra clothes. This will make sure you’re prepared for any terrain and can change into your outfits for photos once you reach your destination.

Because most locations in Arizona have a lot of colors and textures in the background, you will also want to consider keeping your outfit choices simplistic and stick to more neutral colors. You will also want to avoid patterns, and choose solid colors to not create too much busyness in your photos. Colors in the earth tones always turn out beautifully, as well as whites and blues!

Arizona Wedding Photographer

Hi, I’m Madison, an Arizona Wedding Photographer that also travels globally! Arizona is an absolute favorite of mine, and I know I’ll never get tired of it! As your photographer, my promise is to make you feel the best version of yourself and capture you in a way that your partner sees you. So if you’re ready for help planning your Arizona engagement photos, I’m your girl! Reach out and let’s chat about your dream session!