Gilbert Family Photographer | Superstition Mountains | The Olimbs

I've known the Olimbs for almost 20 years. Jeremy and I worked together in ministry for over a decade, and Rachel's been a friend through all of it. So when they asked me to shoot their family session at Superstition Mountains, I knew it was going to be good.

Their Superstition Mountain Session

We met up in December just before sunset, which is honestly one of my favorite times of year to photograph in Arizona. The Superstition Mountains were an obvious choice for the Olimbs. They’re big hikers and spend a lot of time out there together, so this location felt less like a backdrop and more like part of their story. When families choose places that already matter to them, the session tends to feel easier—and this one definitely did.

I’ve known this family forever, which made the session feel comfortable from the start. Rachel and Jeremy are completely natural in front of the camera, which sets the tone for everyone else. What I loved most about this session was how relaxed it felt. Nothing over-posed, nothing overly styled. Just a family in a place they love, showing up as themselves. Those are the sessions that age well—the ones that don’t feel tied to a trend or a season, but instead reflect what life actually looked like during this chapter.

Tips for Your Superstition Mountain Family Session

1. Go for sunset. December is perfect because the temperatures drop, and that late afternoon light is unbeatable. You get warm tones, long shadows, and nobody's melting in 110-degree heat.

2. Wear desert-friendly colors. Earth tones, blues, and whites photograph well against the landscape without competing with it. Save the neon for a different location.

3. Don’t over-style the kids (especially teens) If they feel like themselves, they’ll cooperate more. The desert already brings the visual interest—you don’t need outfits that feel like costumes.

The Olimb session reminded me why I love this job. Yeah, the sunset was incredible and the desert backdrop was perfect, but the best part was spending time with people I care about and capturing this season of their family.

Want to see more desert family sessions? Check out recent sessions on the blog.

Lets make this happen!

If you're looking for a Gilbert family photographer who knows the best Arizona desert spots and won't make you do awkward poses, let's chat about your session.

Contact me today Lets chat about your family session!