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The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations

Children + Family, Lifestyle

November 1, 2021

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Hi there! Welcome to the Fully Alive Photography blog, a journal about our clients, shoots, and my own personal life. Stay a while and say hello!

Hello, I'm Tracy

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The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations

So as a photographer I spend a great deal of my time deciding what locations and time of day I can photograph at.

One of my most asked for locations is obviously “the desert” in my branding guidebook I have an entire chapter devoted to a location guide. And my favorite and many of my clients favorites is the “wild desert” So I’m constantly looking for amazing spots that are perfect at sunset for that golden glow my clients love so much! One of my favorite recommended spots is out in the Tonto National Park. It’s a little bit of a drive but not really too bad. It’s about 45 min for me from Tempe to the main areas I like.

I’ve decided to call this little loop I find myself on frequently ” The Tonto Circuit”

This shoot is an amazing and fun and sassy family shoot- they are celebrating an anniversary and their bad ass theatre major daughter was such a gem! We really had an amazing time with this shoot! I’m so thankful for my hair stylist Nicole for recommending them to me!!! Thanks NICOLE (Believing In Beauty) we were a PERFECT fit!

So, these family photos were taken over the course of 2 hours. (A larger shoot is necessary to capture these spots I show on todays blog)

I usually suggest about 3 locations when you ask for the tonto circuit, so you need about 1.5-2 hours min to capture them all and travel between.

There are a few ways I do the circuit but it ranges from Butcher Jones to Coons Bluff usually.

For this family we started at “Water Users Recreation” (which also has several spots we can shoot at depending on the light & time of day & deserted vibes you are looking for.

We started in the sandy wash for this family. The sun decided to be evil and stay cloudy during the first half but we are SOOOO lucky it came out for the second part of our shoot! I prefer bright & sunny to get those crisp clear color popping images. Thankfully “moody” and gritty & desaturated color is in right now- so of course people will still totally love this first part of the shoot

– Okay here is the wash area

The next stop in our circuit that is really one of my favorites is a totally hidden dirt lot only a few cars can fit and a little gate out into the desert right off Bush Highway. This location is a favorite of mine and only works about 1/30 hour pre-sunset because I LOVEEEE all the color and glow I get with the variety in shorter cactus size & a perfect little tree I can blog too much flare from my lens! Hello HEAVEN:

The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations

The last spot we picked on todays circuit was near Coons Bluff. Also a little turn off not actually at Coons Bluff with GIANT saguaros that just make a STATEMENT! And a little hill and broken down fence situation. I love this spot about 45 min pre-sunset and into the sun actually going behind the hill. Also if you aren’t too dressed up or bring a blanket you can sit at the top of the hill. Because of all the taller plant life here we can block the sun flare or embrace is and get that GOLDEN glow!!!!!! Also again… I’m in heaven.

I like to pretend I am the sun whisperer… or sun goddess? I mean they all sound great. But I do REALLY love shooting with the sun right at sunset. It’s just so romanic and gorgeous!

The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations
The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations

Okay friends, if you LOVED these locations ask about my “Tonto Circuit” there are so many other spots in the area that we can pick & choose which spots. I have TONS of blogs from Tonto so just type in the KEYWORDS” Tonto” on my blog search bar and see loads of variety and spots.

Also NOTE: you do NEED a parking permit at ALL of these spots (except saguaro lake marina). They are only $8 at many gas stations/ grocery stores. I provide them for my clients. I buy them in bulk and I carry a America The Beautiful Yearly pass for my own car.

The Tonto Circuit An Arizona Photographers Favorite Desert Locations

Click here for more family sessions or my pinterest boards.

Want inspo for your next family photosession? Check out my what to wear pinterest board.

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I'm Tracy and I'm so happy you're here. This blog a journal about our clients, shoots and my own personal life! Stay awhile, leave a comment, or say hi!

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