You’re wanting to do a shoot in or around Phoenix, AZ, but want to compare options and get the best location. Here’s our Best Portrait Session Location Guide for Phoenix Arizona, and also includes some areas that are within an hour’s drive of Phoenix.

The locations are organized based on their look they most align with. Many places are free, but several require a fee for a photography session. Based on information from other photographers and what’s available online, we’ll keep this location guide updated with fees to help save you time and effort.

We’ll also update this list with new categories from time to time, such as seasonal ideas! If you have any suggestions, please comment below – we’d love to hear your ideas.

And if you’re looking for a professional portrait photographer, click here for individual portraits and pricing, or click here for family portraits and pricing!

*Asterisks mean there’s a known location fee*

Rustic, Rural

**Agritopia Farm (3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296)**
-Professional photographers pay $50 per shoot, though it may not be required. Click HERE for the guidelines regarding their fee.
https://agritopiafarm.com/

Goldfield Ghost Town (4650 N Mammoth Mine Rd, Apache Junction, AZ 85119)
No fees, but they ask photographers and their clients to be considerate of other guests!
http://goldfieldghosttown.com/

**Lost Dutchman Museum (4087 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119)**
-Adults Entry Fee $5.00
-Seniors Entry Fee $4.00 (55 and over)
-Children 17 and under “FREE” with paid Adult
When shooting ‘after hours’ (they close at 4pm), over the phone they mentioned it is $100 to shoot! There is only an entrance fee when shooting while they’re open.
https://superstitionmountainmuseum.org/

**Manistee Ranch (52nd Avenue and Northern Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85301)**
Get ideas for poses and backgrounds from my Manistee Ranch blog post!
-Professional photographers are required to purchase Photo Permits for Historic Manistee Ranch. These are issued by The Glendale Arizona Historical Society – $25 for one day, or $100 for a season. Call the society at 623-435-0072 to purchase a permit, or if you have any questions.
https://www.glendalearizonahistoricalsociety.org/historic-manistee-ranch-1

Old Town Glendale (Glendale)
https://visitdowntownglendale.com/

**Photos at the Farm** (one acre farm on the border of Gilbert and Queen Creek AZ, near Chandler Heights and Power.)
-$40 for 2 hours, and then $5 per each additional hour
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1563966080571167/

Pioneer Village (Peoria)
https://www.pioneervillage.org/

**Schnepf Farms (24610 E Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142)**
-There is a $100.00 fee for use of the farm for any sessions for 3 hours photography on the Farm. These may be scheduled 7 days a week at any time you desire for best light.
https://schnepffarms.com

Sahuaro Ranch (9802 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302)
https://www.glendaleaz.com/Live/Amenities/parks_facilities_trails/regional_parks/sahuaro_ranch_park

Tumbleweed Park (745 E Germann Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286)
https://www.visitchandler.com/listings/tumbleweed-park/679/

Modern/Urban

Arabian Library (10215 E McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255)
https://www.scottsdalelibrary.org/

ASU Art Building (900 S Forest Mall)
https://art.asu.edu/galleries-and-facilities/art-building

Downtown Chandler (Chandler)
https://downtownchandler.org/

Downtown Gilbert (Gilbert)
https://www.discovergilbert.com

Gammage Theatre (1200 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281)
https://www.asugammage.com/

Market Street at DC Ranch (Scottsdale)
https://beonmarketstreet.com/

Mesa Arts Center (1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201)
https://www.mesaartscenter.com/

Mill Ave (Tempe)
https://www.downtowntempe.com/explore

Roosevelt Art District (Phoenix)
Get ideas for poses and backgrounds on my Roosevelt Row blog post!
https://www.rooseveltrow.org/

Near and around Talking Stick Resort Arena, historic buildings (201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004)

Tempe Center of Arts (700 W. Rio Salado, Tempe, AZ 85281)
https://www.tempecenterforthearts.com/

Tempe Town Lake (Tempe)
Get ideas for poses and backgrounds on my Tempe Town Lake blog post!
https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/tempe-town-lake

Desert

Apache Wash Trailhead (1600 E Sonoran Desert Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85085)
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/apache-wash-trail-head

**Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008)**
-Admission costs $24.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids 3 to 17. May be able to obtain free passes from the public libraries around the valley.
https://www.dbg.org/

Estella Mountain Regional Park (W Vineyard Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85338)
https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/estrella-mountain-regional-park/park-activities/hiking/

**Lost Dutchman State Park (6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119)**
–Per Vehicle: $7/day, separate $50 fee for photography permit
https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman/
Here’s a link to a recent portrait session of mine at The Lost Dutchman State Park to get ideas! To avoid paying a fee and still the mountains in the background, consider using another trail around the entrance to Lost Dutchman. There’s a road just before the Lost Dutchman Museum parking lot with great views – just don’t go through the gate to state park, or you may be required a photography fee!

Papago Park (625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008)
https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/papago-park

Phoenix Sonoran Preserve (1600 E Sonoran Desert Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85085)
https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/sonoran-preserve

Riparian Preserve (2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234)
https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch

**Salt River, Phon D’Sutton, Coon Bluff (Fort McDowell)**
-Daily pass is $8 per vehicle, plus taxes. Click HERE to view a list of vendors where you can purchase a pass.
Phon D Sutton Website
Coon Bluff Website

San Tan Regional Mountain (6533 W Phillips Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142)
https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/san-tan-mountain-regional-park/

**Usery Pass (3939 Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207)**
-$7 per vehicle
https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/usery-mountain-regional-park/

Veteran’s Oasis (4050 E Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85249)
https://www.chandleraz.gov/explore/chandler-parks/guide/veterans-oasis-park

Zanjero Park (3785 S Lindsay Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297)
https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks-facility-and-sport-field-rentals/parks-infomation/parks/zanjero-park

Verrado Trailhead (W Lost Creek Dr W, Buckeye, AZ 85396)
https://www.verrado.com/life-verrado/trails/

White Tank Mountain Regional Park (20304 W White Tank Mountain Rd, Waddell, AZ 85355)
https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/white-tank-mountain-regional-park/

Fall Season

In Phoenix, fall colors don’t start showing till November. Payson, Flagstaff, and Prescott will show fall colors sooner if you’re willing to travel!

Nichols Park (700 N Higley Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234)
https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks-facility-and-sport-field-rentals/parks-infomation/parks/nichols-park

**Agritopia Farm (3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296)**
-Professional photographers pay $50 per shoot, though it may not be required. Click HERE for the guidelines regarding their fee.
https://agritopiafarm.com/

**Boyce Thompson Arboretum (37615 E US Highway #60, Superior, AZ 85173)
-General Admission $15
-Children’s Admission (Ages 5-12) $5
https://www.btarboretum.org/

**Photos at the Farm** (one acre farm on the border of Gilbert and Queen Creek AZ, near Chandler Heights and Power.)
-$40 for 2 hours, and then $5 per each additional hour
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1563966080571167/

**Schnepf Farms (24610 E Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142)**
-There is a $100.00 fee for use of the farm for any sessions for 3 hours photography on the Farm. These may be scheduled 7 days a week at any time you desire for best light.
https://schnepffarms.com

Pumpkin Patches

**Mother Nature’s Farm (1663 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233)**
-$50 session fee
http://www.mothernaturesfarm.com

**Vertuccio Farms (4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212)**
-$10 per person entry fee, ages 2 yrs and under free
https://vertucciofarms.com/fall-festival/

Recommended Studios Around the Phoenix Valley with Short Description

**Parkwood Photography Studios (2212 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006)**
Large studio with multiple rooms with high ceilings and colored seamless paper and textured walls. The studio provides lighting equipment and soft boxes upon request. Check website for pricing – starts at $50/hour with a 2 hour minimum.
https://parkwoodstudio.com/

**Space One2One (123 N Centennial Way Suite 121, Mesa, AZ 85201)**
Smaller studio than Parkwood, great for small families in their lifestyle room, children, newborns, boudoir,  and headshots. Beautiful setups for holidays, and seasons, such as Christmas, Easter, and even going Back to School. The studio provides lighting equipment and soft boxes, though there are large windows with lots of natural light. Pricing starts at $45 per hour and varies with the room rented.
https://www.facebook.com/spaceone2one/

**Blok Photo Studio (1002 E Pierce St STE 102, Phoenix, AZ 85006)**
Large studio with white walls and lots of  natural lighting. Seamless provided with white, black or gray backgrounds. Prices are for a minimum of two hours and start at $110.
https://www.blokphotostudio.com

Thanks for reading our comprehensive best portrait session location guide for Phoenix Arizona. Let us know if there’s a favorite spot you’d like to add to the list!