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Lost Dutchman State Park Engagement Session | Updated for 2024

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Sunset Engagement Session at Lost Dutchman State Park

Arizona Engagement Photographer

Of all the places in the Phoenix Metro – it’s hard to beat Lost Dutchman State Park. This place encompasses the most beautiful aspects of the Sonoran Desert. With the Superstition Mountains, towering saguaros, & open desert landscape – if you want your photos to be true “Arizona” this is the place.

Whether you’re celebrating your engagement, just want couples photos of you & your love, or you’re deciding to elope out in the desert – I’d love to be a part of your adventure together.

Let's Start Planning.

How to plan your engagement/couples session at Lost Dutchman State Park:

  • Photo Permit: Can you take pictures at Lost Dutchman State Park? YES! Lost Dutchman State Park does NOT currently require a photo permit as of 2024 for couples & engagement sessions. All you need is a parking pass!

    *Photo permit pricing subject to change

  • Parking: You must pay the park entrance fee – entry is $10/car. The park is open from 6 am to 8 pm. You cannot enter the park before this time & you have to be out of the park before it closes.

  • The Visitor Center/Park Store is open Monday-Sunday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (summer & holiday hours may vary). If the visitor center is closed, you must pay via the self-pay station & bring exact change.

  • Grab a Map: Pretty much any trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is beautiful & will give you gorgeous views. It’s easy to get turned around in the park though or get off trail, so I suggest grabbing a map or downloading what trails you’d like to go on ahead of time (my favorite app is AllTrails). Photos are permitted in any of the day-use areas.

    I’ll be there to help guide you though & show you all the best areas of the park.

  • Follow Leave No Trace Principles: This is an amazing state park that we are all so lucky to get to enjoy hiking at & taking photos at – let’s keep it clean & respect the trails. No confetti, balloons, smoke bombs (or anything that could possibly start a fire) are allowed. Let the beauty of the park speak for itself. Learn more about the Leave No Trace Principles here & why I’m a leave no trace aware photographer.

  • Bring Water & Comfortable Shoes: Even if you’re from Arizona & used to the dry heat – still bring water! You can easily get drained & dehydrated from the sun & you’ll do more walking than you realize. Bringing comfortable shoes to walk/hike in in-between spots is a good idea to save your feet. Although there are plenty of easy trails, some of the terrain can be uneven.

Continue reading below for more details on how to prepare for your Lost Dutchman State Park engagement session.

  • Are dogs allowed at your Lost Dutchman engagement session? Yes! Pets are allowed on leashes. Just let me know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.

Want to include your pups in your session? Let’s do it!! Let me know ahead of time so we can plan out all the details to make the day go as smooth as possible with your doggos.

Fun Fact: The Superstition Mountains are the second most photographed landmark in Arizona next to the Grand Canyon.

Looking for other areas to explore around Phoenix for your couples or engagement session? Check out my other blog post: Seven of the Best Spots for Engagement Photos in Phoenix, Arizona.

Samantha Rose Photography is an Arizona elopement photographer based in Phoenix, AZ. She specializes in intimate & authentic moments - helping couples curate the perfect day focused around their favorite things. When she’s not capturing couples in love she can be found hiking new trails, rewatching the Office & reorganizing her kitchen.

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Phoenix, Arizona Couples Session

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Phoenix, Arizona Couples Session at Papago Buttes

Phoenix Couples Photographer

Say hello to Emily & Alfie! I got to capture these two lovers on a not-so-typical overcast day in the Valley. We ventured over to Papago Buttes for a small hike & lots of laughing & close-up kisses. These two have one of my favorite love stories. They met in October of 2017 & instantly connected. After a year of doing long distance, Emily made the move to Phoenix. And in her words, “I knew that he was gonna be the one for me. Forever.” Now another year later, they have a house out here in Arizona & the cutest pup, Ozzie. The way they both put it was, “we’re both more in love than we ever thought was possible.” And this is exactly the type of love I dream about documenting.

I’m going to let you all in on a secret & I hope this isn’t cheesy, but you don’t have to be models to get your photos taken. You don’t need to know anything about posing, locations, or really even what to wear. That is what I’m here for. I know that being in front of a camera can be intimidating, as someone who spends most their time behind theirs - I get it. It’s easy to feel awkward & think you don’t know what to do.

Let me walk you through what the whole process of booking & having a session with me is like:

1.Start by filling out my contact form to get in touch. We’ll talk about what you’re looking for in a photographer, what you dream about for your photos & any other ideas or questions you may have.

2. After we’ve picked a date & you’re booked - I’ll send you a guide that has all of my favorite locations around Phoenix & the rest of Arizona. I’ll help you narrow down your decisions & share you on full galleries from locations so you can get a feel for the area. We can also talk about color schemes that go best with the area & decide what look feels the most like the two of you.

3. Now it’s time for your session! We’ll spend time exploring the location & stopping a lot along the way. I’ll give you two prompts & just capture the both of you interacting & loving on each other. You’ll probably catch me saying, “oh heck yes” & “yes! you two are so cute” or something along those lines a lot. And I promise I’m not just saying that - I’m not the type to go over the top. I’ll make sure you both are comfortable & just have a good time hanging out with each other.

4. Then you get to relive & look back on these memories over & over. I’ll send you a preview from the day within a week just so you don’t have to wait too long. Your full gallery will be ready in 4-6 weeks & then the photos are yours! Whether this is celebrating your engagement or just photos of you two for no particular reason, you’ll have these photos forever to remember this moment in time.

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Want to start looking at where to have your photos taken? Check out my blog post that features seven of my favorite places for engagement photos around Phoenix.

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Samantha Rose Photography is a Phoenix, Arizona based elopement & intimate wedding photographer. Outside of photography she loves hiking, attending concerts (preferably pop-punk), & finding new shows to binge watch while editing.

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Downtown Phoenix Engagement Session - Roosevelt Row

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Downtown Phoenix, Arizona Engagement

Samantha Rose Photography

I’m so excited to finally put this blog post together from Kelsey & Suresh’s Downtown Phoenix engagement session. When you think of Arizona, you usually picture the red rocks & big saguaros - there is so much more than just the desert out here though. We headed down to Roosevelt Row to capture the urban vibe & murals by local artists. They chose this area because they spent a lot of time downtown & it’s right by one of their favorite bars in Phoenix - Angel’s Trumpet Ale House.

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Looking for some of the best areas for photos in Downtown Phoenix? Here are some of my favorites:

Know Before You Go:

If you’re planning to have your engagement photos, couples photos, or even your senior photos taken in Downtown Phoenix - here is what to prepare for.

  • Bring change to pay for street parking or download the ParkMobile app & pay on your phone. There’s also garages throughout downtown, but if you’re planning to go to multiple areas, street parking is usually easiest. Check out this map here that shows you parking locations downtown.

  • Most locations you’re allowed to take photos at, but be respectful of the area & if there’s any signs that say No Photos Allowed - it’s easy enough to find a new area. If you’re planning on taking photos at a coffee shop or restaurant, it’s best to ask before you start if it’s okay.

  • There are public restrooms at Heritage Square, but it typically closes before sunset.

  • Always check the event schedule for Downtown (specifically Heritage Square) to make sure certain areas won’t be closed off).

Ending your engagement session at one of your favorite local spots (or even somewhere new), is a great way to celebrate & close out an evening filled with photos.

Ready to book your own engagement session in Arizona? Whether you want city or nature - let’s chat!

Samantha Rose Photography is a Phoenix, Arizona based elopement & intimate wedding photographer.

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Seven of the Best Spots for Engagement Photos in Phoenix, Arizona

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Where to take engagement photos in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Engagement Photographer

Anywhere you go in Phoenix for your engagement session photos is going to be beautiful & have their own unique look. Whether you’re wanting the side of a mountain with saguaros or palm trees & water, the Phoenix area has so much to offer. If you have a love for the southwest & adventuring around the desert, these locations are for you.

I’ve created this list of some of my favorite areas that I have photographed engagements & couples in & around Phoenix. If you’re recently engaged & looking for a photographer to help you find the perfect spot to celebrate & capture your love, please reach out!

After reading this blog, let me know which location in Phoenix is your favorite in the comments below!

Phoenix Engagement Locations

The Salt River

A little outside of Phoenix located in the Tonto National Forest, the Salt River offers a variety of water views (hopping in the river for photos not required, but definitely extra fun) and mountain backdrops. If you’re looking for something with a more beachy vibe & different from the usual desert backdrop for your engagement photos, this area by Coon Bluff is perfect for engagement or couples photos. If you’re lucky you might even spot some wild horses.

Pro Tip: Bring sandals or water shoes to walk around in because there is actual sand at this area & it can be tough to walk around in any type of heels. Keeping a towel handy is also recommended, just in case you get wet!

Downtown Phoenix

If you & your love are looking to get away from the cacti & mountains & want a city atmosphere, downtown Phoenix is the place to capture your engagement photos. Offering a variety of murals, alleys, & textures – the colors of the city offer cooler tones & make it easy to either dress up or dress down your wardrobe.

Have a restaurant or bar downtown you love? Grabbing a drink after running around the city can add something special to the end of your engagement session.

Scorpion Gulch

Located at South Mountain Park, Scorpion Gulch offers a perfect golden glow at sunset. The ruins at the location were originally built in 1936 & operated as a store for many years through the 60s until becoming a bar in the 70s & eventually shutting down. The area was preserved & now is a great spot for capturing your engagement photos in the Phoenix area. The marked paths & easy access make it easy to fit in a variety of backdrops in a small area.

Pro Tip: Bring a blanket to sit down for some photos to keep your clothes clean (don’t worry – I always have extras in the trunk of my car).

Papago Park

Papago Park is a beautiful, public park located in Phoenix near the Desert Botanical Garden & the perfect spot for engagement photos! This park is great if you want a mix of everything – cacti, mountains, palm trees, water, & you can even see the Phoenix skyline in certain areas.

I recommend starting on the north east side of the park, near Hole in the Rock, while the sun is still high in the sky. Then end your engagement session with a great view of the sunset near Hunts Tomb.

Want to explore more of Papago Park? Check out this Phoenix Engagement Session here.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Although this location is technically located in Apache Junction, AZ – it’s still a part of the Phoenix Metro, making it a great area for engagement photos! The Superstition Mountains offer a unique landscape that you can’t find anywhere else in Arizona. Lost Dutchman State Park has easy, accessible trails, as well as longer hiking opportunities for those that want more adventurous engagement photos.

At sunrise, you’ll have the sun coming up from behind the mountain during your session. And during sunset, the mountains will be lit up with the sun’s glow at the end of the day. Either time of day is sure to give you beautiful, unique photos.”

Take your engagement photos in the spring time for wildflowers!

*Lost Dutchman requires a photography permit to have your session here. Photo permits currently run $50, along with entry into the park which is $7-$10/car.

Saguaro Lake

Saguaro Lake is another area that offers breathtaking views & something a little different than your typical desert backdrops. Here you can get right next to the mountain & tall saguaros for your engagement photos, all while being surrounded by lake views.

This is a great area for sunset sessions that lead into blue hour. There is a small hike involved that takes about 5-10 minutes.

Check out more photos from Saguaro Lake here.

Desert Botanical Garden

One of my favorite places to visit in all of Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden has so much to offer for engagement photos. Whether you want wild flowers, tall cacti, short cacti, or a mix of it all – the colors & layout of this place really show off what makes Phoenix, Arizona unique.

*Pro-Tip: Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds!

*Admission into the garden is required. I’m a member of the Desert Botanical Garden & can get one person in for free & 20% off regular admission.

I help plan out your whole engagement session – giving advice on time of day to start & taking you to all the best view points.

Check out this blog post all about how to plan & prepare for your engagement session here.

The Phoenix area has so much to offer when it comes to the perfect location for your engagement photos. Whether you’re looking for the side of a mountain, in the city, or an easy trail surrounded by cacti - you can’t go wrong with any of these spots. These also aren’t the only options, just some of my favorite spots that I’ve captured photographs at. No matter where you choose to have your engagement photos, make it somewhere that feels special to the both of you.

Samantha Rose Photography is a traveling elopement photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. When she’s not capturing couples in love she can be found re-watching the Office, drinking too much Mountain Dew, or hiking a new trail.