Engagement, senior & anniversary sessions
Where to go, what to wear and how to relax in front of the camera — from Tucson's desert to downtown Los Angeles.
Portrait sessions that feel like you
A good portrait session is part location, part light and part comfort. The guides here help with all three: the best spots for engagement photos and senior pictures in cities across the Southwest, what to wear for each setting, and simple ways to loosen up so the photos look like you on a good day.
Every location guide includes the best time of day, what to bring and what to check before you go — parking, permits and the occasional rattlesnake warning.
- Pick a location that means something to you
- Check golden hour for your date
- Plan two outfits from one palette
- Pack water, a brush and comfortable shoes
- Bring one prop or activity (optional)
- Confirm any permit or fee
Tick these off as you go — your progress stays in this browser.
Most-read guides
- What to Wear for Engagement Photos: Colors, Fabrics and Fit
- El Paso Engagement Photo Locations: Mountains, Dunes and Downtown
- The Senior Portrait Session Checklist: From Booking to Photo Day
- Senior Pictures in Tucson: Downtown and Desert in One Session
- Papago Park Engagement Photos: A Phoenix Desert Session Guide
Desert trails, canyon walls and city lights
Arizona offers some of the most photogenic engagement settings anywhere: the red buttes of Papago Park in Phoenix, the creek and saguaros of Sabino Canyon and the green farmland of the Gila Valley.
In West Texas, winter brings one of our favorite sessions of the year: downtown El Paso under the holiday lights.
Senior pictures with personality
Senior pictures should look like the person in them. Our guides to senior pictures in Tucson and downtown Los Angeles pair city backdrops with natural ones, so one session gives you variety.
Before you go, run through the senior portrait checklist — outfits, a few meaningful props and a plan for the light.
Plan your session
Engagement outfit palette picker
Coordinated outfit colors for your setting.
Golden hour calculator
Golden hour, sunset and blue hour times for any date.
Wedding day timeline builder
Enter your ceremony time, get a photo-friendly schedule.
Wedding photography cost calculator
Typical price ranges by region, hours and add-ons.
Every portrait guide
PortraitsEl Paso Engagement Photo Locations: Mountains, Dunes and Downtown
El Paso gives you mountains, sand dunes, desert gardens and a historic downtown within a short drive. Here is how to choose, and when to go.
PortraitsWhat to Wear for Engagement Photos: Colors, Fabrics and Fit
Coordinate, do not match. A practical guide to engagement photo outfit colors, fabrics and fit, with ideas for the desert, the city and cooler seasons.
PortraitsThe Senior Portrait Session Checklist: From Booking to Photo Day
Senior photos go faster and look better with a little planning. Here is a step-by-step checklist for seniors and parents, from booking to the drive home.
PortraitsSenior Pictures in Tucson: Downtown and Desert in One Session
Tucson gives you painted walls and historic adobe in the morning and saguaros at sunset. Here is how to combine downtown and desert in one senior session.
PortraitsDowntown Los Angeles Senior Photos: A DTLA Session Guide
Historic theaters, murals, glass towers and old-school neon: DTLA packs a lot of variety into a few blocks. Here is how to plan a senior session there.
PortraitsDowntown El Paso Christmas Lights: A Winter Photo Session Guide
Winter in El Paso is short, bright and surprisingly cold after dark. Here is how to plan engagement or senior photos around the downtown holiday lights.
PortraitsRed Sands El Paso: A Photo Session Guide to the Dunes
The dunes on El Paso's east side are one of the most dramatic backdrops in the region. How to plan an engagement or portrait session there, and what to bring.
PortraitsPapago Park Engagement Photos: A Phoenix Desert Session Guide
Red sandstone, saguaros and a skyline view, all a few minutes from the city. Here is how to plan a Phoenix desert engagement session at Papago Park.
PortraitsAnniversary Photo Ideas That Feel Like You (Not a Re-Run of Your Wedding)
An anniversary photoshoot is a chance to document who you are now. Here are ideas for locations, outfits, and moments that make it personal.
Questions, answered
How long is a typical engagement session?
Most run 60 to 90 minutes, often with one outfit change and one or two nearby locations.
When should seniors take their pictures?
Many schedule them in late summer or early fall of senior year so photos are ready for announcements and yearbook deadlines. Check your school's deadline first.
What if we're awkward in front of the camera?
Almost everyone is for the first ten minutes. Walk, talk and do something together; a good photographer will give you prompts rather than stiff poses.
Have a question, a story idea or a correction?
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