Scottsdale, Arizona Family Session | North Atlanta Photographer Traveling Nationwide
If there’s one thing I love just as much as photographing families here in North Atlanta, it’s getting the chance to do it somewhere completely new.
I recently took a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, and while I was there, I connected with this family on Instagram and had the opportunity to photograph them in the desert. It ended up being such a special week for them—an anniversary and two birthdays all at once—which made the session feel even more meaningful.
From the moment I met them, it just clicked. It was one of those sessions that felt easy and natural right away, which always translates so beautifully in photos.
It was also such a fun change of pace from my usual golden fields and tree-lined backdrops in Georgia, and a reminder of how much I truly love photographing in new places.
Planning a Session in a New Location
Anytime I travel for a session, I want to make sure I’m giving my clients the exact same experience I would at home—so I always do a little prep ahead of time.
For this session, I reached out to a few local photographers for location recommendations (always the best resource!), and then set aside a morning to scout everything out myself. I also used my sunset app to figure out the exact timing and best direction for that dreamy desert glow.
We ended up choosing the McDowell Sonoran Preserve—which, if you’re planning to shoot there, you’ll want to make sure you get a permit ahead of time. That’s definitely something to keep in mind when booking a photographer from out of town—they should be handling all of those details for you.
Desert Sessions Hit a Little Different
Let me just say… shooting in the desert is not the same as shooting in Georgia.
The biggest difference? Cactus. Everywhere.
With little kiddos especially, I had to be extra aware of where they were running and playing to make sure no one accidentally wandered into one. It definitely adds a new layer to the session, but also makes it kind of fun and adventurous.
We started shooting about an hour and a half before sunset, which gave us plenty of time to ease into the session, let the kids warm up, and just enjoy the experience. We basically got to watch the sun go down together, which is always my favorite part. Also—fun fact—I came fully prepared with tons of water because of the heat, but my clients didn’t even need it. Arizona locals are built different .
Why I Love Traveling for Sessions
There’s just something about photographing families in a place that feels meaningful to them—whether it’s where they live, vacation, or have special memories.
Every location brings something new creatively, and it pushes me in the best way as an artist. Different light, different landscapes, different energy—it all shows up in your gallery.
Booking a Destination Session
While I’m based in Woodstock, GA and serve the North Atlanta area, I absolutely travel for sessions.
I’m frequently in:
Nashville
Chattanooga
Charleston
…and I always try to plan a few destination sessions throughout the year.
Next up: Albuquerque, New Mexico in October 👀
If you’ve ever wanted photos somewhere a little different—or you just want me to come to you—reach out and we can talk through what that looks like. I keep it simple and walk you through the whole process.
Let’s Plan Something Fun.
Whether you’re local to North Atlanta or across the country OR wanting an international shoot while you’re on vacation, I’m always up for creating something beautiful in a new place.
If you’re interested in booking a session while I’m traveling (or want me to plan a trip to you), send me a message and let’s make it happen.
