I recently visited Phoenix, Arizona for a little mini vacation to see some family I don’t see nearly often enough. I wanted to share some of the images with my readers since it was quite a change of scenery. It’s still so strange to see a cactus just hanging out, growing in someone’s front yard!
When I arrived my Aunt, Uncle and cousin picked me up from the airport and got me all settled in. My aunt got flowers by my bed to welcome my stay in my freshly renovated guest room. Oye, she’s good at the hospitality thing!
First on my schedule was lunch with an amazing photographer Melissa Jill. She was one of the earliest influences on me when I started my business because she’s so personal with her clients and very wise about the business side of things. I’ve admired her from afar and was so thrilled that she was happy to have lunch with me and chat. And I got to meet her dog Dixie who I’ve read a lot about! Notice me with my pale NJ complexion and Melissa with nice warm AZ glow. So jealous of their climate!
I also got to spend lots of puppy therapy time with Emmy, my family’s golden retriever. It’s so nice to wake up in the morning to something warm and furry and wagging!
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet up with a client who I’ve worked with before (in PA) but at their home in Paradise Valley (yeah I know, sounds like a terrible place to live!). Over Thanksgiving, I photographed Cindy and Don with their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandbabies for the holidays and when I mentioned that I’d be vacationing in AZ they asked if I’d photograph them at their home with their pups! I obviously agreed!
I’m still so excited to have a completely new environment to shoot in! And the most adorable, smiley couple to get to work with!
Omg, the pups are so cute!
Cindy and Don have a lemon and orange tree in their yard- which I thought was the coolest thing ever since you won’t find on in NJ. They were so kind as to offer me an overflowing bag of their delicious citrus! Mmmmm!
Sundays at the Perfette’s house means one thing for Emmie. Rawhide day! Emmie has a super sensitive tummy. She can’t tolerate most dog treats and table food so her once weekly rawhide as a treat. Not to worry though, she gets tons of lovin’ the rest of the days of the week.
I also got to meet my new cousin-in-law, Mindy! Kyle and Mindy got married in October but I was fully booked with New Jersey weddings that fall so I couldn’t make it out for their wedding. 🙁 Mindy and Kyle are expecting their first baby so we had a little mini maternity session to celebrate.
On the eve of my departure, we drive up South Mountain to grab some photos and enjoy the view.
A little self-timer shot with my AZ family!
It was amazing how every few minutes the landscape changed so much with the light.
My aunt and uncle who so graciously housed me for the week! Fortunately, they are happy to have me on a yearly basis!
My current desktop background… wishing I was back…
Afterwards dinner at Rustler’s Rooste, a country-themed restaurant complete with “Horney” the bull who apparently wanted nothing to do with me!
I hope you enjoyed my photo journey to AZ. I can’t wait to go back next winter to escape the frigid NJ weather for temps in the 70’s!
