Martha & Wil Wander Through Superstition Mountain Trails Outside Phoenix, AZ

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Arizona & Beyond

Martha and Wil and their daughter, Lucy, met me in the Superstition Mountains in Lost Dutchman State Park outside of Phoenix, Arizona. We had a lovely sunny afternoon to explore some of the trails, and Lucy was excited to hit the ground running. I love how saguaros look in backlight, so naturally, I was hunting for the perfect saguaro for them to stand next to. We started by just trying to find some shade, which we managed to do, and I was able to capture some of the cutest family shots.

I love to include couple’s kids in their anniversary or engagement shoots, and of course, you include them on the actual wedding or elopement day as well. It makes the experience so fun because as a photographer I just think- what would be fun for a kid, let’s do that. So Lucy went up on her dad’s shoulders and held hands with her parents while swinging back and forth. She thought it was so much fun that she didn’t want to stop doing it. So if you can just create a fun experience and environment, that’s literally most of the battle. At one point Lucy and Wil went back to the car to grab her stuffed bunny, and that made for some really cute photos as well.

After a bit a fun family playfulness we were able to distract Lucy with an iPad and a good friend who kept an eye on her and we snuck away for some more sunset shots and a few outfit changes. The Superstition Mountains are such a cool spot, but where we were the sun was directly on the mountain, so I waited until it dropped a bit to put them against that amazing backdrop. We were able to hike far enough away from most of the people and it really felt secluded. On top of that, the weather was absolutely perfect even as the sun dropped the temps were comfortable.

The golden hour is one of my absolute favorite times to shoot, and I just revel in the amazing golden light as it’s happening. Martha and Wil were amazing and ran around like kids, spun, kissed, and twirled to their heart’s content. Every time I get to photograph a couple in these amazingly beautiful places, I love when the moment when they really take in their surroundings- how amazing the light is, how gorgeous the views are, how lovely their partner is, and they almost always say something like- we should do this more often. And the truth is most people should do this more often. Go for a hike where you have a nice view and watch the sunset. Feel your feet in the dirt and smell each flower or plant that you pass. Martha and Wil commented on how it was less than an hour's drive for them, but with a child at home and a list of obligations piling up it was something they hadn’t made enough time for. It’s so easy to let that happen. even though this is my job, I let it happen too. But my favorite part of the job is- often after the sun has set and the couple had an amazing time and their daughter is worn out from running and playing and we are hiking back to the cars- when they say something like what Martha and Wil said, which is that they will make getting outside as a family more regular. And they have a satisfied, very content-disposition and you can tell that everyone is truly happy.