Bridals | Choosing a Location | Sarah Burton Photos

When planning your bridal session, there is so much to consider: the wedding dress, the bouquet, the boutonnière, the tie, the suit, the location and so much more. I remember when I was prepping for my own bridal session, location was high on my list of importance. The location you choose will set the mood for your entire bridal gallery. It makes a statement about who you and your significant other are as a couple! It should be somewhere that has meaning to you. So to help you decide, I’ve come up with three questions you can ask yourself to help decide what location would be best for your session!

Where do you enjoy spending your time? If you love exploring and spending time out in nature, a destination session might be just for you! It’s a chance to discover the beautiful parts of Arizona that you might not otherwise get a chance to see or know about. Somewhere like the mountains of Sedona or The Rim in Payson would scream adventure in your photographs. If you more of a home body, consider somewhere close by and comfortable. That might mean a nearby desert path or a coffee shop where you spend every Saturday morning.
What time of day will your session be at? We all know Arizona heat can be brutal. If you are scheduled for a summer session in the evening, it may be a good idea to consider a location with more shade or near a body of water, like Saguaro Lake, to stay a bit cooler.
Would the location you are considering provide a clean background? Our goal, no matter what vibe/background you want, is to have a clean/light background. This means the location you choose should be clutter free. For example, the Arizona desert gives a soft tan background in photos with a pop of cacti and greenery for some interest. Green trees also create a beautiful background and allow for the couple to be the main focus in the pictures.

There really is an endless amount of locations where you could have your bridal (or other) session. Hopefully these three questions help you to start brain storming where might be perfect for you! And remember, you can ALWAYS ask for samples of different locations so that you can see what your pictures might look like!

Below, is just one session that I absolutely loved photographing! The bride and groom took time to consider what location would be best for them! Preston & Lexie wanted an epic view of Arizona, but still wanted to show off the beautiful flow of her wedding dress & have the focus of the photographs to be them as a couple. The Rim in Payson, AZ did just the trick! The pine trees, the view of the valley, and sunflowers for the bouquet and boutonnière, gave a perfect romantic and trendy vibe to their gallery. Take a peak below at their session and remember: choosing a location is everything!