Fossil Creek, Water Wheel Falls, and the White Mountains
When most of your time is spent shooting for clients, planning campaigns, and delivering polished visuals, it’s easy to forget what first pulled you into photography. That’s why personal trips—especially the kind where you unplug and disappear into nature—are so important. They’re not a luxury. They’re a creative reset.
I just got back from a four-day solo camping trip through some of my favorite spots in Arizona: Fossil Creek, Water Wheel Falls, and the White Mountains. No agenda, no shot list. Just me, my gear, and the freedom to shoot whatever caught my eye.
Getting Out of Your Head
Trips like this aren’t about getting the perfect shot—they’re about getting back in touch with why I do this in the first place. When you’re out there, off the grid, everything slows down. You’re not thinking about algorithms or deadlines. You’re just watching light move, listening to water rush over rocks, and letting your instincts take over.
At Fossil Creek, I hiked in early, spent the day chasing light through dense trees and along the river. That turquoise water, the sound of it constantly moving—it puts you in a different headspace. You start seeing things differently. The pressure’s off, which weirdly makes the images stronger.
Flow State in the Wild
Water Wheel Falls was a reminder of how much fun this can be. I packed light—one camera, one lens—and just explored. Climbed around, got my feet wet, waited for light to hit the canyon walls just right. It was one of those days where hours fly by and you forget to check the time. That’s the kind of flow you can’t fake. And honestly, it’s where some of my best work starts.
Stillness and Space in the White Mountains
The last stretch of the trip took me up to the White Mountains. Big skies, cooler air, and plenty of space to think. I camped out under the stars, woke up before sunrise, and just watched the landscape shift from blue to gold. I shot for fun—slow shutter speeds, wide open compositions, some experimental drone work. No client in mind. Just exploring new ideas.
Why It Matters
Taking time for trips like this isn’t just good for the soul—it makes me better at my job. It keeps me sharp, curious, and connected to the craft. The energy I get from being out in nature always finds its way back into the studio. It shows up in how I approach lighting, how I frame a shot, how I tell a story.
At KPL Studios, that’s a big part of the philosophy. We don’t just crank out content—we create work that’s thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in real inspiration. These solo shoots in the wild are how I stay grounded in that.
Photos from the Trip
Let me know if you want to take your brand out into the wild sometime—I’m always up for bringing that energy into a shoot.