Hey there! I’m a fourth-generation Arizonan who’s had the incredible privilege of living and shooting portraits in Flagstaff, Prescott, and Phoenix throughout my photography career. Growing up here and watching the seasons change across our state’s diverse landscapes has given me some pretty unique insights that I love sharing with my clients.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this conversation: “Can we do my spring photos in March in Prescott?” What many visitors (and even locals) don’t realize is that “spring” arrives at dramatically different times depending on where you are in Arizona (this means snow in March in Prescott, not spring foliage like some might expect). It’s not as simple as picking a date in April and expecting lush greenery and blooming flowers everywhere in our state. I’ve lived in each of these unique cities and learned these lessons firsthand – often the hard way!

Phoenix: Early Portrait Season (January-May)

Peak Portrait Windows:

• February-March: Sometimes desert wildflower backdrops (entirely dependent on fall/winter rainfall) and slightly chilly weather!
• Late March-April: Blossoming citrus trees/cacti and PERFECT weather for spring dresses!
• April-May: Slightly warmer (sometimes hot) days. You’re usually safe for photos anytime before May 30. Photos after May 30 should usually be at sunrise when the weather is cooler.

May Weather Tip: Golden hour sessions (typically 5-7pm, time varies seasonally) are always best in the spring in Phoenix, providing warm, amazing light and comfortable temperatures. Once we hit May 31, I switch exclusively to morning sessions (7-9am) as afternoon temperatures consistently exceed 100°F (safety first!).

2025 Wildflower Update: Unfortunately, this year we experienced minimal fall and winter rainfall, which means we’ll see little to no wildflower blooms this spring season. Maybe next year!

Prescott: The Delayed, Unpredictable Spring (May 15-June 30)

With Prescott being my hometown, I’ve seen countless people/clients surprised when they hear about our spring timeline. One of the biggest challenges I face with clients is explaining why we can’t capture true “spring-like” portraits in Prescott until mid to late May. At 5,400 feet elevation, Prescott’s seasonal timeline is significantly from Phoenix.

The critical factor many clients don’t understand: Prescott’s last frost date typically falls around Mother’s Day (May 10-ish) each year. This means that while we might have beautiful, comfortable weather for portrait sessions in early May, your backdrop will still have bare trees and brown vegetation—not the lush green setting most clients envision for spring portraits.

Peak Portrait Windows:

• May 15-May 30: Usually fresh green foliage
• June: PERFECT weather, fully green trees and grass, and sunny days (little to no rain)

Portrait Tip: If you need to schedule photos February-May 15 in Prescott, photos in the forest are always best! Pine trees are evergreen, so they will almost always look great. Click HERE to see Porter’s late March Prescott Senior photos in the evergreens. Just be prepared for chilly temps and possible snow for our session!

Flagstaff: Summer Portrait Season (June 15-August 30)

My years living in Flagstaff gave me firsthand experience (usually learning the hard way) that spring doesn’t begin until mid-June (crazy, I know!). At nearly 7,000 feet, Flagstaff’s last frost date isn’t until June 10, so spring might just BEGIN early June.

Snow can fall well into May and occasionally even early June in Flagstaff (see the photo of my car in college in early June when it snowed 2 feet!) Nothing ruins a portrait session faster than unexpected snow or the stark contrast of spring outfits against bare aspen trees.

Peak Portrait Windows:

• Mid-June to July: Trees beginning to bud out, often muddy near the San Francisco peaks from melted snow
• July: Aspen groves with full foliage and meadows with wildflowers (dependent on winter snowpack and spring moisture), frequent afternoon monsoons, PERFECT weather!
• August: Frequent afternoon monsoons, perfect weather!

Portrait Tip: For graduation photos for NAU students, I often recommend forest/evergreen sessions in April (sometimes with snow), early May using campus architecture or returning late June for the stunning aspen backdrops.

The “Green Factor” in Portrait Photography

The disconnect I most often have to explain to clients is the difference between comfortable outdoor temperatures and green, spring backdrops. You might be perfectly comfortable in short sleeves during an early May session in Prescott, but your portraits will show trees without leaves that create images with a wintery feel. It takes a few weeks for the plants to realize they can wake up!

For truly spectacular spring portraits in Arizona, I schedule sessions not just for comfortable weather, but for when each elevation zone has fully transitioned to spring foliage. The perfect session combines comfortable clients with beautiful backgrounds—and sometimes that means waiting a few extra weeks.

Having lived and photographed across all three of these Arizona climates, I can confidently say that timing truly is everything and you can get perfect seasonal beauty with just a short drive!

Arizona Spring-at-a-Glance

Have questions about scheduling your Arizona portrait session? Contact me HERE!

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About the photographer: Justine is a fourth-generation Arizonan and portrait photographer who has lived and worked in Phoenix, Prescott, and Flagstaff. Specializing in capturing families, couples, and seniors against the diverse seasonal backdrops of the Southwest, Justine brings generations of local knowledge to every portrait session. Follow on Instagram @justinebungerphotography