Yes, we live in the desert.
There is no ocean for beautiful beach photos, no lush green woods, and it’s basically too hot to even think about outdoor photo sessions in the summer. But don’t be discouraged about living in the desert; it definitely has it’s own beauty.
Here in the East Valley there is a desert location that I absolutely love, and if you haven’t been there you are missing out! It’s the Gilbert Riparian Preserve, and it’s not only a fantastic location for photos, it is a great place to take your family for an outing.
There are 7 different basins (pond/lake type things), a cactus garden, a cool bridge, fishing, play areas for the kids, a dinosaur digging spot, tons of wildlife (rabbits everywhere and it’s a bird watcher’s paradise), and there are places where the trees grow over the path making for a gorgeous backdrop. Oh-it’s also a totally hot Pokemon Go place, if you’re into that. 🙂
Why is this one of my TOP favorite desert locations for photos?
- You can get SO many different backdrops in one location.
- There is lots of glorious shade.
- It showcases how beautiful the desert can be.
- Even if it is full of people and photographers, there is plenty of room for everyone.
- It’s easily accessible from the freeway.
There you have it! Have you been to the Gilbert Riparian Preserve? Let me know what you think of it!
If you need Family Photography Mesa AZ, please contact me. I would love to hear from you!
Sally is a Mesa newborn photographer and motherhood portrait artist serving Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Tempe. With over a decade of experience photographing maternity, newborns, babies, and families, she specializes in making tired, busy moms feel completely taken care of — from outfit planning all the way to choosing the perfect artwork for your walls. A mom of six herself, she knows how fast these little seasons go, and she’s on a mission to make sure your family’s story gets preserved in a way you’ll actually hold onto. When she’s not behind the camera, she’s probably wrangling her own crew and wishing someone would bring her a Diet Coke.
Explore her work and book a session at www.sallywhettenphotography.com.
