Arches National Park - Part 1

Well, needless to say this post is very late. I seemed to have gotten sidetracked over the last couple of months catching up with other shoots, and I'm finally sitting down to write up this post. It's okay, I know I'm slow. 

Just about eight weeks ago, my friends Ethan, Andie, Tainui and I went on a roadtrip to Moab and Arches National Park in Utah! I had been to Zion's and Bryce Canyon in the past, but surprisingly, never Arches. I was so excited to finally see it!

We packed up the car for an overnight trip across the desert, and we made it into the park a few hours before sundown. My mind was completely blown.

I was so amazed by all the crazy and beautiful rock formations in the park. It's almost incomprehensible that mountains and rocks could be shaped that way over thousands of years. Every turn took my breath away.

We got to our first spot that we wanted to take pictures at, and Ethan pulled out his camera to start shooting. To his surprise, he found that his lens filter was cracked apart! Of course, that's something you never want to have happen to your equipment, but I couldn't resist taking some pictures with the cracked glass. 

The model that joined us was named Tainui, and he is an incredible kid. He's traveled all over the world, and has worked with some really awesome agencies across the US and Europe. He was really such a sweet guy too, and he and the rest of us had some awesome talks throughout our trip.

I couldn't resist taking some self portraits in this beautiful desert landscape. I loved the shapes that the trees and horizons made, and while Ethan shot with Andie and Tainui, I took photos of my own in the fleeting light. 

Ethan is an incredible person. I feel such a kinship with him, and we always create awesome things when we are together. He's also ridiculously talented, and I am so amazed by the work he continually produces. I feel so lucky to have found a friend like him for my life. 

I met Andie for the first time on this trip through Utah, and I feel so happy to have her as a new friend. She has such a strong connection with life, with the earth, and with people, and it's apparent in everything she does. I feel calm when I am around her, and that's really hard to find in people. She's a wonderful girl, and I can't wait for the next time I get to hang out with her--hopefully it's soon!

Our last stop of the evening was at North and South Windows, just as the sun had duck below the horizon. There was nobody else around, and everything was quiet. 

It still amazes me how places like this are formed. The sculpted rocks and arches look as though they were carved with the greatest care by the most talented architects, but they aren't man-made. This earth is astonishing, in so many ways. 

For these last few photos, I thank my friend Andie for being my human tripod and capturing these scenes while Ethan took his own pictures below me. 

This was such a beautiful moment, standing in the bow of this gigantic arch as twilight rested upon us. I felt so blessed to be a part of this moment in time, and to feel so connected to this magnificent earth we live in. Moments like these are what I live for, and I will never forget this one.

Another post is coming soon from our second day at Arches National Park! Stay tuned :)