Senior Session: Out West


A Road Trip for the Books: Our Epic 9,000-Mile Journey Across the U.S.

On June 5th, our family of five packed up our XL SUV and embarked on a month-long road trip to the wild west. We had everything from winter coats to sunscreen and just like that, we were off, ready to make memories across 17 states, 11 National Parks, and all the Instagram-worthy spots in between.


We cranked up the music, drove nearly 9,000 miles, caught a Kenny Chesney concert in Vegas (at The Sphere), explored the San Diego Zoo, got our Mickey Mouse fix at Disneyland, and spent three epic days with my college roommate and her family in Oregon. But here’s the twist: while all of this was happening, my oldest daughter, Marlie, had a brilliant idea. She decided that she wanted to do her senior photos along the way in some of the most jaw-dropping places in America. She studied landscapes like a pro, picked outfits for those landscapes and we set off to capture some truly magical moments. I had no idea how awesome it would be to shoot senior photos in places like the desert and the coast. Each state has its own vibe and landscape—it’s like America is one big, beautiful, living, breathing Instagram feed.


Arches National Park: Where the Desert Meets Magic

First stop? Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. We spent a day exploring the park, searching for that perfect picture spot. The sun was blazing and the temps were pushing 100°F, but we knew the real magic would come around sunset. And let me tell you, the desert was alive. Taking senior photos of Marlie against the iconic red rocks felt like something out of a dream. It’s probably my new favorite photo shoot location! I mean, how often do you get to capture a milestone in a place that’s literally out of this world?


Zion National Park: Waking Up With the Sun

Next, we hit up Zion National Park. Marlie had her heart set on getting photos here, so we spent another day wandering through the park, scouting out the most photogenic spots. The catch? We needed to get up way too early to beat the crowds and catch that early morning light. So, at 5 AM, we were all up, caffeinated, and ready to go. It worth it! Zion at dawn is a whole new level of breathtaking—those red rocks glowed under the morning sun, and the landscape was completely transformed.


Canon Beach: The Goonies, Sun, and Sand

Now, let’s talk about Canon Beach in Oregon. If you’ve seen The Goonies, you know exactly what I’m talking about. We had to get photos at Haystack Rock. This was my third time visiting the Oregon coast, and let me tell you, I had never seen it like this before. The weather was flawless—sun shining, no wind, and warm. We wandered the shoreline for miles, snapping photos from every angle, and honestly, the pictures don’t even come close to doing it justice. There’s just something magical about the coast here that you have to feel to believe.


Jackson Hole: The Teton Mountains & Morman Row

Marlie’s final senior photo location was Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She had done her homework and knew exactly where she wanted to take her pictures: Morman Row, with those classic old barns and the epic Teton Mountain Range in the background. We spent the evening chasing that perfect golden hour light, driving around the park and stopping at every lookout point as the sun dipped behind the mountains. It was one of those moments when you look around and think, “This is what it’s all about.” We couldn’t have asked for better weather or scenery—it was absolute perfection.


The Best Family Road Trip Ever

This road trip was one for the books. From the deserts to the coastlines, to the mountains and everything in between, we saw, learned, and experienced so much. But the best part? Taking senior photos of my firstborn in all these mind-blowing locations across the U.S. I’ll carry those memories with me forever.


And now… it’s time to start planning for my middle daughter’s senior photos in two years. The bar has been set high, and I’m already dreaming up our next epic adventure!

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