Top 5 Outdoor Maternity Portrait Locations

When it comes to outdoor locations in Mesa, I have a few favorite spots that I love to shoot in. I know I can depend on the light and setting to be gorgeous, so these are my top 5 outdoor maternity portrait locations.

Let’s start with water. My top two requests for outdoor sessions are to be next to water, or to be in the desert. Here are my top two favorite water locations:

Phon D. Sutton

This is a gorgeous spot on the Salt River that never fails to bring some amazing shots at sunset. There are a couple areas to shoot by the water, and then these really cool big rocks to use, as well! You can get beautiful mountains behind you in this location, too. The Salt River locations do require having a Tonto Pass, which you can pick up at any local gas station for $8.

Salt River

The second water location is also by the Salt River, but I don’t know if it has an actual name. It’s just one of the last spots to get in to go tubing down the river, and it’s AMAZING!!

Usery Pass

To go with the second biggest request, the desert, one of my favorite spots is Usery Pass Park. It’s a BIG park, but I have a spot I always go to that gets some fabulous mountain views and then we finish at a second spot to get the gorgeous Arizona sunset and cactus in the shot. Perfection! Usery Pass also requires an entrance fee of $7, and you just pay when you enter the park.

 

Gilbert Riparian Preserve

Another favorite spot combines water and desert. It’s the Gilbert Riparian Preserve, and it’s pretty much a photographer’s dream location! Sunset is magical at this park.

Nichols Park

Now, the desert is great and all, but sometimes you want a picture that is NOT in the desert! If that is the case, I’ve got you covered!! This little hidden spot is full of tall, leafy trees and doesn’t look like you are in the valley of the sun at all!! In November and December, the leaves even turn beautiful yellow shades and it looks like Fall!! If you live in Mesa, you know this is a rare find.

There is also a second side to this park with some desert greenery, that is also beautiful and becomes so lovely at sunset. Basically, this spot is the best of both worlds, a little bit of desert on one side, and a whole lot of green on the other.

 

Choosing a location is something I love helping my clients with. I hope this list of my top 5 outdoor maternity portrait locations helps you when you need to choose a spot for your portrait session!

Need help with what to wear? I can help with that, too! I have a growing client wardrobe that I am happy to let my clients choose from. Saves you money and time shopping!