I was wondering if anyone know any private locations to shoot in Phoenix area. Maybe an empty building or isolated locations?
thanks,
Mike
Hey Mike, I haven't found anything really good in Phoenix, you almost have to drive outside the valley or at least to the edges of it. Even most of the local parks are overran, and too much of a hassle to shoot because of the obnoxious crowd that will disrespect the model and blow the energy of the shoot. Although you might find a "quiet corner" at some of the "mountain preserves" with a little exploration/hiking. Just be cautious of Rattlesnakes, Scorps, BlackWidows, and Africanized Bees, (and "bandits").
http://phoenixmountains.org/phoenix_mou … serve.html
I have a private park (members only) to avoid that, and probably your best choice is to drive out of town (I usually go North) to some of the smaller old towns and ghosttowns or to the "edges" of the valley. (South Mountain, Goldfield, Apache Trail, White Tanks, etc).
I come to spring training every year to watch my giants. There are a number of good places along the Salt River. Some are shown on the second page of my Nudes in Nature album on this site.
Walker
Thank you for your reply. You mentioned that you have a private park? Wow!! that is awesome!!! Where is it located and how can I become a member?
Mike
ArtisticGlamour wrote:
Hey Mike, I haven't found anything really good in Phoenix, you almost have to drive outside the valley or at least to the edges of it. Even most of the local parks are overran, and too much of a hassle to shoot because of the obnoxious crowd that will disrespect the model and blow the energy of the shoot. Although you might find a "quiet corner" at some of the "mountain preserves" with a little exploration/hiking. Just be cautious of Rattlesnakes, Scorps, BlackWidows, and Africanized Bees, (and "bandits").
http://phoenixmountains.org/phoenix_mou … serve.html
I have a private park (members only) to avoid that, and probably your best choice is to drive out of town (I usually go North) to some of the smaller old towns and ghosttowns or to the "edges" of the valley. (South Mountain, Goldfield, Apache Trail, White Tanks, etc).
I come to spring training every year to watch my giants. There are a number of good places along the Salt River. Some are shown on the second page of my Nudes in Nature album on this site.
Walker
mikewong27 wrote: Thank you for your reply. You mentioned that you have a private park? Wow!! that is awesome!!! Where is it located and how can I become a member?
Mike
It's a small gated community park, I have access to it from my Dad being a resident there.
I still think your best bet might be to try South Mountain park (for semi-privacy) or as someone mentioned the Salt River. Also, as someone mentioned you could hire a local model who has probably better knowledge of various "semi-secret" locations than most of us.
Tempe itself (and Tempe lake) has some great urban locations, but not exactly "private" for full nudes or anything. For that, you're kinda looking at driving at least to the edges of the valley (Salt River, etc)...or someone's private area in town. I have known people to rent a house with a pool for a few days and have group shoots there.
mikewong27 wrote: I'm looking for both outdoor and indoor locations.
Sedona and Flagstaff might be too far right now... I'm hoping to stay closer to Phoenix or East Valley area.
Mike
Hey, if you are in Chandler, then you should check out driving out the Apache Trail...with a stop at Goldfield, and Canyon Lake...with many places along the road for "desert shoots" along the way. You could even go out past Tortilla Flats to where the road turns to dirt and get some good privacy for a desert shoot. A lot of "Salt River" stuff along the way.
All of Southern Arizona around PHX is going to be desert until you climb up on the Rim (Payson/Flagstaff/Sedona/Prescott/Jerome) to the North. From your side of town you might want to try Pinetop and up above Globe on the eastside.
Hey, if you are in Chandler, then you should check out driving out the Apache Trail...with a stop at Goldfield, and Canyon Lake...with many places along the road for "desert shoots" along the way. You could even go out past Tortilla Flats to where the road turns to dirt and get some good privacy for a desert shoot. A lot of "Salt River" stuff along the way.
All of Southern Arizona around PHX is going to be desert until you climb up on the Rim (Payson/Flagstaff/Sedona/Prescott/Jerome) to the North. From your side of town you might want to try Pinetop and up above Globe on the eastside.
Thanks again for all your recommendations. I will definitely check out Goldfiend and Canyon Lake in few weeks. Really appreciate it...
A word of caution about South Mtn Park. Due to the number of attempted nude photo sessions in the park the rangers are particularly vigilant. If they catch the model (or the photographer) naked there is a good chance they will write you up.
I like shooting in the parks (non-nude stuff)... but too many people walking back and forth... That's why I needed a private location...
Thanks for your reply..
Mike
Our shoot was late in the day. Not very many people were around and we were listening for cars. A person who was walking on the road surprised us. The model said to him that we were having a photoshoot. He didn't say anything and continued walking. It was a nude shoot.
Exposed Beauty Imaging wrote: A word of caution about South Mtn Park. Due to the number of attempted nude photo sessions in the park the rangers are particularly vigilant. If they catch the model (or the photographer) naked there is a good chance they will write you up.
We were there. When we were putting gear in her vehicle a female ranger stopped and asked us if everything was OK.
Exposed Beauty Imaging wrote: A word of caution about South Mtn Park. Due to the number of attempted nude photo sessions in the park the rangers are particularly vigilant. If they catch the model (or the photographer) naked there is a good chance they will write you up.
That sucks.
Yeah, as large and spread out as this valley is, it's still hard to find outdoor places that aren't "risky" here in the valley. I still prefer to drive up north (on the outskirts of Sedona/Prescott/Flagstaff/etc)...for anything that's pushing the limits.
For you, Mike, out of Chandler it might be Salt River/Apache Trail options (although I've heard about ranger issues on the Salt River as well) or drive up I-60 above Globe, or 87 toward Payson. But, I-60 and 87 up to the pines aren't a nice easy/convenient 2hr photoshoot for you with the driving involved.
Or, just shoot implied/partial nudes. And keep a lookout.
Hey, if you are in Chandler, then you should check out driving out the Apache Trail...with a stop at Goldfield, and Canyon Lake...with many places along the road for "desert shoots" along the way. You could even go out past Tortilla Flats to where the road turns to dirt and get some good privacy for a desert shoot. A lot of "Salt River" stuff along the way.
All of Southern Arizona around PHX is going to be desert until you climb up on the Rim (Payson/Flagstaff/Sedona/Prescott/Jerome) to the North. From your side of town you might want to try Pinetop and up above Globe on the eastside.
I attended a big photoshoot in the desert at Cowtown last October. The temperature got up to 96 degrees one day.
ArtisticGlamour wrote: I shoot paintball out there! It's pretty awesome. When it's not 115degF!
But, I've never gone as far as the old ghosttown...can you shoot nudes out there?
Or, is it more of a "maybe partials/implied" type of thing?
I'm not too far, I may have to scout that out a little better (after rattlesnake season!) LOL!
Cowtown was rented for the photoshoot. We shot outdoor nudes there.
There were snipers practicing nearby. Those sniper rifles are very expensive and loud.
When I was at the Vulture Mine for a photoshoot a rattlesnake was caught and put in a burlap bag. He wasn't happy.
TaylorScott Photography wrote: There is a great place to shoot but I would have a lookout with you. The day I went there the model brought a MUA and she stood by to look around.
I went in the morning after they opened and started my trip around the different buildings.
Exposed Beauty Imaging wrote: A word of caution about South Mtn Park. Due to the number of attempted nude photo sessions in the park the rangers are particularly vigilant. If they catch the model (or the photographer) naked there is a good chance they will write you up.
I didn't know that. Thanks for this info. Really appreciate this...
Yeah, as large and spread out as this valley is, it's still hard to find outdoor places that aren't "risky" here in the valley. I still prefer to drive up north (on the outskirts of Sedona/Prescott/Flagstaff/etc)...for anything that's pushing the limits.
For you, Mike, out of Chandler it might be Salt River/Apache Trail options (although I've heard about ranger issues on the Salt River as well) or drive up I-60 above Globe, or 87 toward Payson. But, I-60 and 87 up to the pines aren't a nice easy/convenient 2hr photoshoot for you with the driving involved.
Or, just shoot implied/partial nudes. And keep a lookout.
I never been past Globe before.. I would definitely try going past Globe to see what's out there. Thanks again..
TaylorScott Photography wrote: There is a great place to shoot but I would have a lookout with you. The day I went there the llama brought a MUA and she stood by to look around.
I went in the morning after they opened and started my trip around the different buildings.
Orcatek Photography wrote: South Mountain park requires permits for any pro shooting, nude or not. If you need studio space I rent mine. www.theStudio-Phoenix.com
If you have access to a 4-wheel drive there are tons of trails out in the deserts and nearby mountains.
This time of year, I tend to avoid shoots outdoors. You need to bring so much water to prevent heat stroke.
Also, rent a boat on Apache lake and you can usually get far enough up the lake to do things out of view, and have the lake to cool off in.
I shot there with a Phoenix model, we shot late in the day and were careful.
We drank a lot of water when we were shooting in the desert in 90 degree weather last October. One day it was 96 degrees.
If you have access to a 4-wheel drive there are tons of trails out in the deserts and nearby mountains.
This time of year, I tend to avoid shoots outdoors. You need to bring so much water to prevent heat stroke.
Also, rent a boat on Apache lake and you can usually get far enough up the lake to do things out of view, and have the lake to cool off in.
Thanks for these info. Really appreciate this...
I thought about renting a studio space from you, but I do have a tight budget for my photo shoots. How many days in advance do I need to book a studio space?
mikewong27 wrote: Where is Cowtown anyways... I heard of it but never knew where it was located... Is it expensive to rent a set for photo shoots at Cowtown?
Mike
Even though it says Carefree Highway, the road is the OLD Carefree Highway. From SR74 turn south on the Lake Pleasant Road. Turn right for the Turf Soaring School and Air Park. Follow that road down the hill toward Canyon Race track. The road will wind around the circle track and you will pass the motocross enterance, keep heading west on the dirt road. It will cross the Agua Fria wash, and about 1/8 of a mile past the wash is the gate. I would call ahead to see what their day looks like. Most week days are not that busy for them but with schools closing for the summer that could change. There might be a small fee to use the property for a privite shoot.
Taylor
Even though it says Carefree Highway, the road is the OLD Carefree Highway. From SR74 turn south on the Lake Pleasant Road. Turn right for the Turf Soaring School and Air Park. Follow that road down the hill toward Canyon Race track. The road will wind around the circle track and you will pass the motocross enterance, keep heading west on the dirt road. It will cross the Agua Fria wash, and about 1/8 of a mile past the wash is the gate. I would call ahead to see what their day looks like. Most week days are not that busy for them but with schools closing for the summer that could change. There might be a small fee to use the property for a privite shoot.
Taylor
Thanks a lot for this information. Really appreciate this.
TaylorScott Photography wrote: 10402 West Carefree Highway, Peoria, AZ
(602) 695-0722 www.cowtownpaintball.com
Even though it says Carefree Highway, the road is the OLD Carefree Highway. From SR74 turn south on the Lake Pleasant Road. Turn right for the Turf Soaring School and Air Park. Follow that road down the hill toward Canyon Race track. The road will wind around the circle track and you will pass the motocross enterance, keep heading west on the dirt road. It will cross the Agua Fria wash, and about 1/8 of a mile past the wash is the gate. I would call ahead to see what their day looks like. Most week days are not that busy for them but with schools closing for the summer that could change. There might be a small fee to use the property for a privite shoot.
Taylor
Taylor, I've shot paintball there quite a few times, but where is the Ghosttown and Rifle Range from there? It's like the road dead-ends in the paintball parking lot, and I've never seen anything like the old Ghosttown buildings. Do you have to go through the paintball folks to use the ghostown stuff? Is there a turnoff before you get to the paintball parking lot?
| 
| 
| edu