2

Honeybee Canyon

A hidden gem tucked into the rolling hills of Oro Valley! It features an old stone dam & beautiful rock canyon. This is an excellent location for those on the NW side of town, who are up for a short (but sandy) hike through the desert. If you want some mountain views in your backdrop, this is a great spot to get them!

If your outfit calls for strappy heels, I suggest bringing some sturdy slip-on and change into your cute shoes once we reach our destination.

3

Northeast Desert

Okay...I'm going to let you in on a secret...my "secret location" that is! Everything unique to our Tucson desert is found here: towering Saguaro, mesquite, cholla, prickly pear, plus beautiful views of the Catalina foothills & mountain range! As a bonus, it isn't a location that many people are familiar with, so there are rarely other people there as we shoot. I would not recommend this location for the elderly who have trouble with uneven ground, or those who wish to wear heels.

 

4

Catalina State Park

This is a gorgeous state park located on the west side of the Catalina Range in Oro Valley. This location features a dry riverbed, grasses, desert foliage, and breathtaking and up-close views of Pusch Ridge. The perfect spot to enjoy a colorful Arizona sunset, and for little kids to get their wiggles out playing in the sand. 

As a state park, there is a small day use fee so please be prepared. This fee helps to keep our beautiful state parks clean & accessable. 

5

Agua Caliente Park

Similar to La Mariposa, but boasting beautiful palm trees and much larger ponds, this is a favorite spot for family picnics & other photographers, so it is often bustling with activity. However, it is a large park - large enough to accommodate everyone! 

6

Lower Mt. Lemmon

There are two spots that I like to use on lower Mt. Lemmon. Molino Basin Vista contains ocotillo and prickly pear, as well as many thorny bushes. But the rock canyon walls & well-groomed trails are well worth the visit.

Gordon Hirabayashi Rec Area is by far my favorite location on lower Mt. Lemmon. There aren't many cacti found here, but the tall grasses & trees are beautiful, and the old stone ruins and bridges over the seasonal creek allow for a great variety of backdrops for your images. I consider this my favorite location to bring toddlers and young children for my outdoor sessions. It is safe & not too busy, so they can run & play to their little heart's content.

7

Upper Mt. Lemmon

There are four locations I like to use on upper Mt. Lemmon. Ranging from about mid-way up the mountain, all of the way to the top. I consider anything with tall pine trees and some lush undergrowth to be characteristic of upper Mt. Lemmon. If you are looking for green or cooler temperatures, this is the place you want to go!

All four of my favorite upper Mt. Lemmon locations are great for kids if they are up for the drive. Just remember to bring a jacket, as temperatures on the mountain can fluctuate wildly from day to day, and the environment is much different than in the valley.

8

Downtown

If you are looking for something different from the wild outdoors, you may want to consider a downtown location. I have two favorite spots! One features a more traditional downtown look, with chain link fences, brick walls, and colorful murals. The other location is a bit more "Tucson" or desert southwest, with its bold & eclectic colored doorways and brightly painted houses. Both of these locations require walking short distances on paved surfaces - so any footwear will work!