Snowy Flagstaff, Arizona Engagement Session | Arizona Adventure Photographer

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Vanessa & Danny’s Snowy Flagstaff Engagement Session

Adventure Engagement Photographer

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Say hello to Danny & Vanessa - who I actually took engagement photos of in January & are already married now, but I still wanted to finally share their cozy engagement session. These two have been together for SEVEN years now, since my boyfriend & I met in the 9th & 10th grade, I have a special place in my heart for high school sweethearts. There’s just something so easy going with couples that know the ins & outs of each other & aren’t afraid to goof around during photos & show their personalities off - that’s these two!

Since they live in Phoenix & were getting married in the Valley, they wanted something a little different for their engagement photos. So we made our way up to Flagstaff (my first time) & bundled up to adventure around in the snow - which I only fell down in once the whole trip. The area had gotten so much snow the weekend before that certain trails were closed off, so instead of our original plan, we pulled over on the side of the road & found a clearing in the trees. I make jokes all the time how I am up to adventure anywhere - whether it’s surrounded by cacti, on top of a mountain, or just on the side of the road somewhere, I’m up for anything - this engagement session was a prime example. As long as you & your significant other choose a location that feels special & personal to the two of you, that’s all that matters.

I can’t wait to finally share photos from their February wedding on the blog soon! It was such a fun day surrounded by Vanessa & Danny’s closest friends & family - lots of dancing & good food was included as well.

No matter where you’re located & wherever you want to have your love captured - I’d love to be a part of preserving memories & being a part of these special moments in your life. Let’s chat about how you want your adventure captured.

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Samantha Rose Photography is a traveling wedding, elopement & couples photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. When she’s not headed to an engagement session she can be found binge-watching Netflix, attempting to do some yoga, or reorganizing her closet.

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

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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!

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Phoenix Engagement Locations

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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!

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Just a bunch of Hocus Pocus | Phoenix, Arizona Halloween Styled Session

Oh what a glorious time of year it is. I have a love for Halloween & all things spooky that I can never quite express into words properly. I have an appreciation for all holidays, but Halloween time just holds a special place in my heart. Since moving out to Phoenix, Arizona last year, this was my first time spending the whole month of October out in the desert. I have filled my Autumn days with decorating my apartment, listening to my favorite spooky tunes, & loads & loads of Halloween movie watching (both scary & not so scary). I thought being in the southwest might take away from the usual feeling that October brings, but really it just helped inspire me to find more fun things to do & get outside.

For the past 4 years I have planned a styled Halloween photoshoot, each year becoming my new favorite. At the end of August I started getting my ideas together for what I wanted to create this year. After having a session with my friend, Josie, she mentioned something featuring the Sanderson Sisters would be amazing - & that’s how this idea came to life.

After weeks of planning & figuring out details - we created the Hocus Pocus shoot of my DREAMS. This day was so much fun. Scroll down for all of my favorite photos!

Models: Camille Wilson as Sarah | Josie McClain at Winifred | Brooke Ivler as Mary

Makeup Artist: Anna Narin

Costumes: Spirit Halloween

“Sisters, All Hallow’s Eve has become a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amok!”

-Winifred Sanderson

Samantha Rose Photography is a wedding, elopement & portrait photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. When she’s not editing or watching Halloween movies she can be found chasing the sunset for a perfect photo.

Saguaro Lake Elopement in Mesa, Arizona

Saguaro Lake Elopement Photographer

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Picture this: You & your partner have decided that you want to elope somewhere in the desert. You pick Arizona as your destination to say “I do” but don’t know where exactly in the state you want to go. Then you find a location that meets everything you’ve been looking for. Desert landscape filled with tall cacti, mountain views, & a lakeside oasis – it’s Saguaro Lake.

Located less than an hour from downtown Phoenix, this is the perfect location for a desert elopement.

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Here is a step by step guide on how to plan the best Saguaro Lake elopement:

• Do you need a permit to elope at Saguaro Lake?

  No!

• Is there an entry fee or Parking pass for Saguaro Lake?

  Yes! A Tonto National Forest Daily Parking Pass is required.

• How long is the hike at Saguaro LAke?

  That’s all dependent on how far you want to go! Saguaro Lake offers hiking trails that are 3+ miles, leading to more private locations/areas. There are also spots that you just have to hop out of your car & you have beautiful views right in front of you.

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• Can you bring guests to a saguaro lake elopement?

  There are certain areas along Saguaro Lake & the Salt River that could accommodate guests, but I recommend keeping your list to 5 or less people. This is a great location for those wanting to keep their day super intimate.

Looking for something to accommodate more guests? Consider Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch or Lost Dutchman State Park.

• What time of year is best to elope at Saguaro Lake?

  Late October, November, December, January, February, March, & early April are all great times to elope at Saguaro Lake (or anywhere in the Phoenix Metro). You can avoid the heat & monsoon season during these months. Late November through January tend to see more rain.

• What day of the week is best to get married?

  Weekdays will ALWAYS be less busy, especially during the cooler months. Weekends during the spring months, Saguaro Lake & other nearby recreation sites can be packed & closed down due to too many visitors.

• What activities can you do at saguaro Lake?

  Hiking, picnic sites, kayaking, boat rentals & tours!

Want other unique activities to include in your elopement day? Check out this blog post featuring over 20 unique elopement day activities.

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• What to bring?

  No matter the time of year, always bring along lots of water, salty snacks, good walking/hiking shoes, & sunscreen in the desert!

  Other useful items: A blanket for sitting, picnic basket to carry tasty treats in, lanterns to light the way & create unique photos once the sun is setting.

• More useful info:

  Saguaro Lake has pit toilets, but no running water.

  Phone signals can be hit or miss so download your Google Maps ahead of time!

  Always leave no trace! Stay on the trail & always leave what you find.

Read more about why I’m a Leave No Trace Aware Photographer here.

Think you may want to elope somewhere else in Arizona? Check out my blog post: Nine of the Best Places to Elope in Arizona

Desert Inspired Elopement Invitations from Basic Invite | Phoenix, Arizona Photographer

As a photographer, I like things to have an aesthetic look - I can’t help it. Then add living in Phoenix, Arizona & being surrounded by the colors of the Sonoran Desert, simplicity & warm tones are so important to me in design. So when Basic Invite reached out to me about working together, I was so excited to have a place I can reference my couples to that I truly love & that can work with any type of look you’re going for.

I got to design these wedding & reception invites for Brannon & I (for any family/friends reading this - no we aren’t actually getting married), but I LOVED getting to go through all the design options & colors.

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options. So, you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it - down to the littlest detail. My personal favorite color is the cactus green - LOOK AT HOW ACCURATE IT IS!

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It was also nice how easy their site was to manage & go through all the different products that they offer. On top of invitations - they offer custom wedding coasters that you can design to match your wedding invites & colors exactly. And look I’ve been to a lot of weddings & I can tell you first hand that practical wedding favors like coasters are the way to go & on top of all that - these are so cute!

If you’re not looking for wedding invites right now, Basic Invite also offers a variety of things from graduation announcements to business cards. And you don’t have to worry about something looking different on their website than it does in person - Basic Invite offers custom samples that allows all their customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order. And I can attest to the quality of their products.

You can head over to www.basicinvite.com now & use code 15FF51 to get 15% off your entire order through the whole month of September!

This post is sponsored by Basic Invite, but all opinions are my own.

Follow Basic Invite on Social Media:

@basicinvite

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter

All Hallows' Eve - A Session at the Cemetery

Halloween is finally here (& almost over).

My favorite time of year & my favorite holiday. There’s always something special about the way October feels. In a recent Instagram post I made I stated, “there’s something about early fall mornings when the sun hasn’t quite come up yet & there’s dew on the grass, a chilly breeze, & the smell of fallen leaves in the air that puts my mind in a special place. I’ve grown up loving Halloween my entire life, the whole season of it & the way it makes me feel.”

I typically decorate for Halloween during the middle of August & spend the next couple months binge watching all my favorite Halloween kid movies & scary films.

I’ve come to find that the actual day of Halloween isn’t quite what it used to be. That tends to happen when you get older. Once you’re too old for Trick or Treating & the whole “vibe” for the holiday when you’re in your 20s is a lot different.

Which is why I love getting to take themed photos like this. The photos from this session give me the exact Halloween feeling that I always long for when the day comes around. A cool day, just a glimpse of the sun, autumn leaves, & a creepy theme to go along with it all.

Had so much fun waking up at the crack of dawn with Pride & Reagan to bring our ideas to life.

Reagan found this dress in a vintage shop during the middle of the summer & sent me a photo of it & we knew it would be perfect for our Halloween session this year. After finding the perfect model, adding some of my mom’s vintage jewelry, & just a few details with candles & flowers, we knew this was going to be the perfect shoot.

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Anyone could see that the wind was a special wind this night, and the darkness took on a special feel because it was All Hallows’ Eve.

Happy Halloween everyone, I hope you had a great day & enjoyed the photos from this set.

Western Styled Session in Old Town Scottsdale | Phoenix, Arizona Based Photographer

The moment I moved out to the Southwest, I knew I had to do a Western themed photoshoot. Being a photographer in Phoenix, Arizona & so close to Old Town Scottsdale, which has the title of “the West’s Most Western Town,” it was clearly a sign that I had to make this happen.

I’m still pretty knew to Arizona, but I’ve already gotten to know & work with so many awesome people. The creative community out here has honestly given me so much support & welcomed me in more than I ever could have expected.

When I posted about wanting to do a Western themed session, Josie was one of the first people to reach out to me. I knew she would be perfect for the vision I had in mind. We spent probably a little over a month planning out her outfits & figuring out the style that we wanted.

We decided that the overall look was considered a ‘boho western’ style. Sticking to old west roots with a chic cowboy hat, cowboy boots, a red bandana, & bolo tie, but bringing in modern boho styles with a floral dress & silver & turquoise rings.

On August 11th at 7 in the morning we finally met up in Old Town Scottsdale to create some old west magic. I also want to add that Josie is a trooper because by the time we were done it was over 100°.

Sometimes going into photoshoots you don’t always know what to expect. You can plan a lot & try & map everything out for a styled shoot, but even then there’s a lot that you just have to work with in the moment. The lighting, the people around, the location, outfit changes, & a lot of other random stuff that goes into creating well thought-out photographs.

I was seriously so happy with how these photos turned out. One of my goals that I set when I moved out to Arizona was to do more creative shoots that I really planned out & had a true concept behind them. There’s just something really special about ideas in your head coming to life.

Josie was so much fun to work with & open to all my weird ideas & concepts. Follow her on Instagram here & you should also vote for her in the Face of Foothills Search here! Such a talented, awesome lady that I can’t wait to work with again.

Here’s to the next adventure.

Papago Park Engagement Session in Phoenix, Arizona

Two weeks ago, I photographed one of my best friends & her amazing fiancé. I might be a little biased (& I know I've said this about almost every session), but this was truly my favorite couple's session I have ever done. I just recently became an Arizona based photographer & I moved out West three months ago & a few months before that, these two moved out to Arizona TO THE SAME CITY & we live less than 15 minutes from each other. 

These two have been officially engaged for a year now & I was so excited they wanted me to photograph their love & cute selfs. I've always loved photographing couples, but probably have the least experience in that area (compared to portraits), but over the last couple months I've been working on learning more about posing & all the genuine emotions there are between couples & I think it really shows through these photos. 

So excited to photograph more couples & adventures in Arizona this year.

Backayard Phoenix Elopement

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Phoenix, Arizona Elopement Photographer

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You know what the beauty of eloping is? You can do WHATEVER YOU WANT.

Victoria & Sam wanted a simple, intimate ceremony with their immediate family & to enjoy a nice meal afterwards to celebrate. So that’s exactly what they did. These two have been together for 10 years & decided 2018 was the year they wanted to tie the knot together. On June 28th, they gathered at Pomelo Phoenix for a short, sweet ceremony outside in the shade & then headed inside for cake & dinner.

Venue: Pomelo PHX

Cake by: My Goodness Cakes

Flowers by: Pam's Floral

I couldn't wait for the summer at the Warped Tour - A 10 Year Tradition

If you're not a part of the pop-punk scene, you might not know that the Vans Warped Tour is making its final full cross country tour this summer. 

A little history... Warped Tour has been around for 24 years. It started in 1995 & was created by Kevin Lyman. It's the largest & longest running touring music festival in the United States & is geared most towards punk rock music. 

I attended my first Warped in 2009 when I was 13. 

I had recently gotten into punk music over the last couple years & my older brother had attended the tour the year before in 2008. When my friend & I decided we really wanted to go, he agreed to go with us, even though the music we were listening to at the time he wouldn't necessarily classify as "punk music." 

We had no idea what we were doing, if my rolled up Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirt and pink aviators don't make that obvious enough... we were so excited though. I had never been to anything like this before, where your favorite bands play all day long, you can easily meet them, & everyone is just there for a good time listening to music. 

I've been to other music festivals like Lollapalooza & it's just not the same (for myself at least), people go to Warped for the experience, not to wear a cute outfit & for the Instagram aesthetic. 

When I say that this tour changed my life, I'm not being dramatic. This music & these bands truly shaped who I am. Punk music has always had a strong "don't give a f*%! about what people think about you" attitude to its music. When you're in middle school & high school & people are jerks about what you wear, what music you listen to, how you look, & anything in between, having music & band members that make you feel not as alone helps a lot along the way. 

There's also a certain type of atmosphere at Warped that you can't get anywhere else. With people crowd surfing all over (& the possibility of getting kicked in the face that has happened to me multiple times), the annoying band guys trying to oversell their CDs, the strange things they have handed out for free over the years (anywhere from Arby's roast beef sandwiches, PeaceTea, Monster, iTunes downloads, melted candy, tacky sunglasses, to Trojan condoms). It's so weird & so much fun.  

And if this isn't obvious enough already, I'm a die-hard pop-punk fan. I have had a lot of friends over the years that have liked certain bands in this genre, but most people grew out of it after a certain age. I never did. When I go to these shows & I'm seeing bands I've listened to my entire life, I'm not living out some "childhood" or "middle school" dream, these are bands I have always loved & always supported. 

I have met every single one of my favorite bands throughout the years. Which I think is another side of how amazing Warped Tour is for people. We listen to these bands, we grow up with them & sometimes they don't even seem real. Once you see them live in front of you & meet them & have a real conversation with them (& smell what type of cologne they wear), it all changes. These people that have created music that have helped shape you & feel less lonely throughout your life, they're right there, & you realize they're just human too. There's no feeling like it. 

The tour had changed over the years, they tried adding workshops & structuring the stages differently, I've seen hundreds of different sponsors come through the tour, some years the bands weren't the best, there's annoying people at the shows, people won't leave you alone about buying their merch, it's too hot, or something else goes wrong. In the end though, I would never change anything. 

I've seen so many bands on the Vans Warped Tour, I can't even keep track. To compile a short list: 3oh!3, The White Tie Affair, Forever the Sickest Kids, All Time Low, We the Kings, I See Stars, The Ready Set, Breathe Carolina, Breathe Electric, Mike Posner (lol), Less than Jake, Motion City Soundtrack, Taking Back Sunday, NeverShoutNever!, The All-American Rejects, The Maine, Mayday Parade, Waterparks, As It Is, Prvis, This Story So Far, State Champs, The Academy Is..., A Day to Remember, The Ataris, Flogging Molly, Anarbor, Phone Calls From Home, Black Veil Brides, Artist Vs. Poet, Automatic Love Letter, BoysLikeGirls, Bring Me the Horizon, Cartel, Wallpaper, Metro Station, Go Radio, Pierce the Veil, Good Charlotte, Hey Monday, We Are the In Crowd, The Summer Set & honestly so many more that I'm sure I'm forgetting. 

A handful of these bands have split up over the years or changed names or gone into solo careers. I've seen some of them more than 5 times & some of them only once, but every single one of them put on one of the best gosh darn shows each time I saw them. 

Meeting the Ataris at my first Warped Tour in 2009 in Noblesville, IN. 

I attended my first Vans Warped Tour in 2009 at the then, Verizon Wireless Music Center, in Noblesville, IN. From 2010 to 2017, my amazing mom attended all the other shows with me (in case you didn't know I have a really awesome mom that listens to the same music I do & loves concerts just as much as me). This was my first year going to Warped in a new state (Phoenix, AZ). My boyfriend, Brannon Muncey, went with me to the final show (he's NOT a fan of concerts, but was kind enough to go with me & try & have a good time). And even though I was in a different state & a different venue, it was just as amazing as it has been the last 9 years. Also, as I'm writing this blog post my mom is at Warped Tour RIGHT NOW in Noblesville. She FaceTimed me in so that we could get a photo together. 

It's hard knowing that Warped Tour is coming to an end. It's a tour that I've grown up with & has been such a strong tradition in my life for 10 years straight. There's been countless memories made that a blog post just can't do justice. This is just a huge thank you to the Vans Warped Tour, Kevin Lyman, all the bands, all the companies, & all the people involved. It has been such a crazy & amazing time over the years that I will truly never, ever forget. 

A Happy Birthday Note to My Best Friend - Whitney Coffman

Wishing the happiest of birthday's to my best friend on the entire planet, Whitney Coffman. 

I'm about to get extremely cliche and sentimental, so if you're not into reading all that, now would be a good time to exit out of this blog post.

Whitney is my person. My ride or die. My partner in crime. My personal cheerleader. We just get each other. 

You see, we have been best friends for over 17 years. And I mean legitimately. We've never hated each other or gotten into any arguments (mind you one time in the 1st grade and then a short spell during our sophomore year of high school where we didn't talk much). She's always been the one friend in my life who has always been there, no matter what. She's never left me for different friends or decided we were too different or let us drift apart. Through the ups and downs, the crappy friends and boyfriends, the bad decisions and the good, the tough classes, long nights, family drama, the passing of our favorite dogs, the nerdy years and the emo years, we have seen each other go through it all. 

And I'm not just saying all of this because it's her birthday. She truly is one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life. She's someone that I can always be my complete self around and I can always come to her for an honest opinion (we also both secretly and openly hate when the other has any other close friends because we don't like to share the other). 

I wish I had a list of all the amazing and crazy things we have done together over the years. From countless birthday parties, trips to the reservoir, chalk drawings, tandem bike rides, Jonas Brothers' concerts, scary movie marathons, party planning, walks home from the bar, spending hours talking in the kitchen, texting each other when we were doing laundry in the basement, exploring our creepy house together, countless slushie runs, being roommates, wild times at Lollapalooza, trips to Puerta, trying to start a food channel (lol that pizza was awful), climbing trees, late night Taco Bell runs, thinking we are good dancers and being sore the next morning, sharing beds,  our endless love for Nick Jonas, Disney movie marathons, peanut butter and graham cracker snacks, grocery shopping, night tag, our love for Sunny cat, and truly so much more. 

I can not even begin to imagine my life without you. You're the one person who always responds to my Snapchats, you laugh at my jokes, appreciate my bad singing and dancing, usually buy most of my drinks at the bar, always encourage what I'm doing with my life, and never judge me for how messy my room is or when I am late to something. 

Thank you for being the best friend a girl could ever ask for. I'm so happy to see you so happy and figuring life out (even if college sucks sometimes), I can't wait to see all that you're going to do with your life and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it (even if it is from a distance). I miss you so much and wish I could be with you on your birthday, but I'm excited for our next adventure soon. 

Love you long time Shaniqua. Happy 23rd. 

-Martha

Chasing Sunset Dreams - My Life in ArizonA As a Photographer

Two months ago, my mom and I set out on a trip out West along Route 66. I'll save my details of the trip for another time, but today I'm mostly just talking about emotions. 

I was so ready to get out of the city (and state) of Muncie, IN. I was born, raised, and grew up in that small city. I went to college there, I met all my closest friends there, and of course my mom is there. I am so grateful for my experiences and everything in between that Muncie gave me, but it was time to leave. 

I think people get comfortable, sometimes too comfortable and we don't like to talk about it. I could have easily stayed in my hometown. I had made a lot of good connections there and my business was taking OFF which was one of the hardest things to think about. I had just graduated college, I was starting to have a steady income from my photography business that I started all on my own, so why would I leave that? 

I was ready for change and to be inspired by something new (and I'm sure some of you are saying, "what a millennial thing to do.") It's true though. People need to see new places, do new things, and like so many people say, get out of their comfort zone. 

So I decided to leave, and move in with my long-time boyfriend, Brannon (who moved out to Arizona six months before for a software development job). 

It's obviously not all rainbows and butterflies though, I want to be honest and realistic. Arizona has been everything I ever dreamed, waking up someplace where I can see mountains out my bedroom window in the distance, palm trees and cacti lining every street you turn down, and there's so much stuff to do everywhere you go. Moving your photography business across the country though? Not so easy. Don't get me wrong, I know what I'm doing with my life. I often joke with my friends or family, or the internet for that matter by saying, "I have no clue what I'm doing with my life." The thing is though, I do know. I'm a portrait, lifestyle, wedding, and anything else in between photographer, and I own my own business, and I want to be successful and have this be my full-time career. 

It's been a process, and I've only been here for two months and I've already gotten discouraged a number of times. I'm not used to not being busy taking photos, editing, and talking to clients nonstop. For the last year that had been my life, so moving across the country, hardly knowing anyone, I should have been prepared for the halt in business. I wasn't though. Most recently I spend my days reading about marketing and business (I highly suggest John Harrington's book, Best Business Practices for Photographers, Third Edition), connecting with other photographers, learning about advertising, and updating my social media as often as possible to stay relevant.

When you're staying in your apartment during the greater part of the day and only taking photos 2-3 times a week (when that's your career) you tend to feel a little lazy. If I'm being honest, I'm just winging it. I don't have an exact plan, I wish I had a more set direction of how to do what I'm doing and reach my goals (I've done a couple thousand Google searches though and I haven't found a direct map of how to become successful), and there's not.

A real life photo of me chasing sunsets + dreams in Moab, Utah. 

So here I am, writing a blog post talking about my feelings and what I'm doing with my life, hoping people will take the time to read it. I don't know exactly where I'm going or where this is going to take me, but for now I'm just riding the adventure wave and doing everything I can to get to the top (was that too cliche?) 

Until next time.

-S

Now booking ALL Arizona sessions + Indiana sessions for the month of October, click the Contact button below to send me a message. 

Stops Along Route 66 | Blue Swallow Motel - Tucumcari, New Mexico

I'm currently sitting in my apartment in Tempe, AZ with the air conditioning blasting. It's 101 outside... and only getting hotter. 

I just got back from a visit in Indiana though and I can officially say I'm a Phoenician because the humid 85 degree weather there is so much worse than the 100 degree dry heat here. 

This photo was taken at the back of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. I've been in the process of editing all of my photos from my mom and I's road trip out west. 

This was one of my favorite stops on our trip. When we decided to stop at all the best Route 66 locations, the Blue Swallow was listed as a must, and I can completely understand why. 

The salmon pink walls, periwinkle doors, and vintage signs made it feel like we were taking a step back in time. The town of Tucumcari has clearly changed a lot since Route 66 was at its peak of popularity, but driving down the road you can still see and visit places that have been there since the beginning. 

On me: Shirt from Urban Outfitters | Jeans from Forever 21 | Sunglasses from Ray-Ban 

If you're making a trip along Route 66, the Blue Swallow Motel is a must see and if you have time, I would absolutely stay the night there. 

This is my first installment of my Route 66 blog posts, I plan to feature all my favorite locations, photo stops, and unique things along the way. 

Here's to all the adventures coming. 

I'm Moving

If you're close with me or you frequently read my Instagram posts, it's probably been pretty obvious what my news is. I wouldn't be me if I didn't write a blog post to announce it though. 

I'm moving. To Arizona. On April 6th. 

To make a long story short and putting sentiment aside, my long-time boyfriend, Brannon, moved out to Tempe, Arizona in October. In case you haven't heard me talk about him enough, he's an extremely smart and talented individual who works as a software developer for State Farm. Needless to say, I've decided to move out there with him. 

I graduated from Ball State University in December with a degree in photojournalism and a minor in sociology. I have wanted to move out West for as long as I can remember. I've lived in Muncie my entire life and I lived at home for my first three years of college. I don't think it needs to be said that I've been planning to leave this city for quite some time now. 

And I could not be more excited. If you're wondering what it is I will be doing, I will be moving my business, Samantha Rose Photography, out there and focusing on it full time. I'm planning to also get into some freelance and working any part time photo job that I can find. It will be a process and one heck of an adventure. 

My mom and I will be leaving Muncie on April 6 to travel to Fort Wayne. I had originally thought I would leave at the end of March, but my favorite band, All Time Low, will be performing in Fort Wayne that night. So we took that as a sign that we should wait to leave until the first week of April. From there we will travel across most of Route 66, stopping at every touristy destination and stop along the route. We'll also be taking a small detour to go to the Four Corners and the Grand Canyon. My mom and I have always wanted to go on cross-country road trip. We say we are the best travel companions because we love all of the cliché stuff and pretty scenery, but tend to go pretty fast when it comes to the history stuff. The last three years we have gone on three amazing trips for spring break. Chicago. California. New York City. So what better last trip to take than to drive me across the country. 

In regards to my photo business, I will be booking sessions through April 4th. I'm trying to get in as many sessions as possible before I leave with anyone that has wanted to have their photos taken by me. I will also be coming back October 5th-13th to photograph a wedding and fit in as many photo sessions as possible while I'm back. (p.s. if you're interested in booking an October session, I'm offering $25 off any session booked with the retainer by April 4th so hit me up). 

I can't even begin to express how lucky and happy I am that I get to do what I do. Photographing people and places and things and being able to do so anywhere. 

I'll have more updates soon. 

I can't wait to see what is ahead and where this adventure takes me. I hope you're ready for the ride too. 

xx

"If we’re really honest with ourselves, most of our plans don’t work out as we’d hoped. So instead of asking our young people, ‘What are your plans? What do you plan to do with your life?’, maybe we should tell them this: Plan… to be surprised.” - Dan in Real Life