Collection Story
This collection began with a hike.
In Spite of Everything was photographed at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park during the heat of the day with my family. The arch may look delicate, but the hike to reach it was anything but.
At the time, my hiking experience was minimal. There is a long stretch of steep incline across smooth rock with no shade and no relief from the sun. I remember feeling absolutely miserable, hot, uncomfortable, questioning why I thought this was a good idea.
It wasn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
But it was hard enough.
And in that discomfort, something familiar surfaced: when things are difficult, I don’t retreat , I lean in.
That’s why I named this piece In Spite of Everything.
Because I climbed it anyway.
That mindset didn’t stop with that hike. It shows up in every image within Rugged Majesty.
These landscapes are not roadside views. They required long hikes before sunrise, climbing over uneven terrain, navigating wind, heat, and exposure. There was a physical element to capturing these moments. Heavy gear. Unstable footing. Waiting in conditions that were not always comfortable.
Each photograph in this collection represents endurance — not just of the land, but of the process required to reach it.
The formations themselves have stood for centuries, shaped by wind and time. Their strength is quiet but undeniable. That kind of resilience resonates with me.
Rugged Majesty is about choosing to continue when it would be easier to turn back.
It’s about effort.
It’s about showing up anyway.
And it’s about honoring places that have endured far longer than we have.
