As a photo enthusiast, I know it can be hard to figure out some neat places to take decent quality pictures. If you’re poor like me, you can’t afford to buy backdrops for simple shoots. So, I’m here to share with you what I believe to be some of the best places to take pictures in Tucson. Plus, they’re all pretty close to campus.

1. La Placita, located downtown

This place is a knockout in terms of photo opportunities for a few reasons. First of all, the amazing, vibrant colors of the buildings have the potential to really add some extra “pop” to your photos. Secondly, the place is absolutely huge. The walls are tall and extensive, so you’ll never run out of space to capture that perfect angle. Finally, have you seen the gazebo? The gazebo is perfect for a variety of shots, so take advantage of its historic and aesthetic beauty.

2. Anywhere downtown

Downtown is a very photogenic place with opportunities at every turn. The murals that are located throughout downtown are creative and unique, providing backdrops with deeper social and cultural meanings. Downtown architecture is also interesting, so if you’re looking for out-of-the-ordinary urban scenes, look for some of Tucson’s historic buildings and sites, as well as sculptural architecture—especially in front of the library.

3. Our very own UA campus

You may roll your eyes or think I’m lying, but UA campus is actually a beautiful place to take pictures. Two things that you should consider using as backdrops are the abundance of grass and brick throughout campus. As simple as they are, you can use them to really emphasize the subject of the photo rather than distract from it with what’s going on in the background. These backdrops are especially good for taking high-quality, Instagram-worthy shots and professional profile pictures.

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