Arizona My Journey in the Deserts and Mountains

August 2, 2024

As a photographer with over four decades of experience capturing the stunning landscapes of Arizona, I have had the incredible privilege of witnessing the state's transformation from a relatively unknown wilderness to a highly sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts and photography lovers alike.

When I first began my photographic journey in Arizona in the early 1980s, many of the state's most iconic locations were still relatively undiscovered. Places like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Wave were known only to a handful of intrepid adventurers and local Native American tribes, and the idea of photographing these incredible landscapes was still a relatively niche pursuit.

But as I began to explore the state's vast deserts, rugged mountains, and hidden canyons, I quickly realized that Arizona was home to some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes in the world. From the towering saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert to the colorful rock formations of the Painted Desert, from the lush forests of the Mogollon Rim to the snow-capped peaks of the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona offered an endless array of photographic opportunities for those willing to seek them out.

One of my earliest photographic discoveries in Arizona was the incredible beauty of the state's many mountain ranges. From the rugged peaks of the Superstition Mountains to the stunning red rocks of Sedona, I found myself constantly drawn to the state's high country, where the light and landscape seemed to change with every passing hour.

One of my favorite mountain locations to photograph in those early years was the San Francisco Peaks, a volcanic mountain range located just north of Flagstaff. Rising to over 12,000 feet in elevation, the Peaks offered a stunning contrast to the surrounding desert landscapes, with their lush forests, alpine meadows, and snow-capped summits. I spent countless hours exploring the trails and vistas of the Peaks, capturing the changing light and seasons with my trusty film camera.

Another mountain range that captured my imagination in those early years was the Catalina Mountains, located just north of Tucson. With their rugged canyons, towering rock formations, and stunning vistas of the surrounding desert, the Catalinas offered endless opportunities for creative composition and experimentation. I particularly loved photographing the mountains during the monsoon season, when the afternoon thunderstorms would roll in and create incredible displays of light and drama in the sky.

As my photographic skills and knowledge of Arizona's landscapes grew, I began to venture further afield, exploring the state's many hidden canyons and desert washes. One of my earliest and most memorable discoveries during this time was Antelope Canyon, a stunning slot canyon located on the Navajo Nation near Page.

At the time, Antelope Canyon was known only to a handful of local guides and adventurers, and the idea of photographing the canyon's incredible light beams and abstract rock formations was still a relatively novel concept. But as I began to explore the canyon's narrow passageways and soaring walls, I quickly realized that I had stumbled upon a true photographic treasure.

Over the years, I returned to Antelope Canyon many times, experimenting with different compositions, lighting techniques, and times of day to capture the canyon's incredible beauty. And as word of the canyon's stunning landscapes began to spread, I watched with amazement as it transformed from a little-known secret to one of the most highly sought-after photography locations in the world.

Another desert location that captured my imagination in those early years was the Wave, a stunning sandstone formation located in the remote Coyote Buttes area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. With its incredible swirling patterns, vibrant colors, and otherworldly landscapes, the Wave was like nothing I had ever seen before, and I knew instantly that I had to capture its beauty on film.

But photographing the Wave was no easy feat. Located in a remote and rugged wilderness area, the Wave required a long and strenuous hike to reach, and the permits to visit were highly limited and difficult to obtain. But for me, the effort was more than worth it, as each visit to the Wave yielded new and incredible photographic opportunities.

As the years passed and my photographic skills and knowledge of Arizona's landscapes continued to grow, I began to share my discoveries with other photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. Through workshops, guided tours, and published articles, I sought to inspire others to explore the state's incredible beauty and to capture its essence through their own unique lenses.

And as Arizona's popularity as a photography destination began to soar, I watched with pride as many of the locations I had discovered and photographed in those early years became some of the most iconic and highly sought-after shots in the world. From the stunning light beams of Antelope Canyon to the colorful badlands of the Painted Desert, from the towering cacti of the Sonoran Desert to the snow-capped peaks of the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona's landscapes had truly captured the hearts and imaginations of photographers and nature lovers around the globe.

Today, as I look back on my four decades of photographic discovery in Arizona, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and amazement at the incredible beauty and diversity of this stunning state. And while the popularity of many of Arizona's iconic locations has certainly grown over the years, I believe that there are still countless hidden gems and undiscovered wonders waiting to be explored and captured by the next generation of photographers.

So if you are a lover of the great outdoors, a seeker of adventure, or simply someone who appreciates the incredible beauty of the natural world, I invite you to follow in my footsteps and embark on your own photographic journey through the stunning landscapes of Arizona. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a beginner with a camera phone, there is no shortage of incredible opportunities and discoveries waiting to be made in this truly special corner of the world.

And as you explore and capture the essence of Arizona's mountains, deserts, and canyons, I hope that you will be inspired not only by the incredible beauty of the landscapes themselves but also by the rich history and spirit of photographic discovery that has shaped this state over the past four decades. For it is through our shared love of the natural world and our desire to capture and preserve its incredible beauty that we can truly connect with the essence of what makes Arizona such a special and enduring place.

Posted in Locations.