Three Weeks Out West in 2026

Close-up of a bison's face showing its dark eye, thick fur, and curved horn in profile.

Most of my architectural photography work happens between Nashville and Huntsville. Then it fans out, and I work in Chattanooga, Birmingham, and Memphis occasionally. Outside of those major metros, there is no rhyme or reason to where and when I work. It might be New Orleans on Monday and Charlotte on Thursday. But no matter where I’m working, I love to drive there.

Yes, flying would be cheaper and faster. And more hassle. But less of an experience. I wouldn’t get to see everything I see on the road. I wouldn’t get to eat at the dives and drive the backroads and see the sights. I wouldn’t get to see what America is like outside of airports, big cities, and interstates. And most of America is very different from those places.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to photograph the newly designed BYU Student Athlete Center in Provo, Utah. I could have flown. Instead, I chose to take the family on a road trip through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and other states. Then I had the opportunity to photograph the Chicago Fire Fan Experience Center a month later and I turned that into a road trip, adding the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and back to Wyoming where we spent most of our time. We went to Glacier, the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt, Canyonlands, Arches, Great Sand Dunes, and Yellowstone. Nature even put on its own fireworks show in the early hours of July 4th in Grand Teton with the northern lights.

We stayed over three weeks out west between the two trips and, if I thought I could build a business out there and afford it, would seriously entertain moving out there. It’s an amazing and beautiful place.

A red barn with white roof sits alone on a grassy hilltop under a clear turquoise sky
A young buck lies in tall grass dotted with yellow wildflowers, displaying velvety antlers still in growth.
A falcon stands alert on a lichen-covered log in an open meadow with wildflowers and grassy field stretching to the horizon.
Dark brown bison with prominent horns grazes among purple wildflowers and green grasses
Red sandstone arch formation glowing orange in sunset light, with visitors scattered on the rock formations below
Sleek black building silhouette with undulating roof against overcast sky, two figures visible on the ridge.
Brilliant blue-green hot spring surrounded by orange and yellow mineral deposits, with evergreen forest and mountains beyond
Snow-capped mountain peaks rise behind a forested valley with a winding river and meadows under blue sky with clouds
Snow-capped mountain range with jagged peaks rises above dense evergreen forest and a winding stream in the foreground under clear blue sky
A weathered log cabin stands in an open field beneath a dramatic purple and pink aurora, jagged mountain peaks silhouetted in the background.
Rolling foothills silhouetted against purple twilight sky with snow-capped peaks illuminated in distance
Rugged badlands terrain with layered rock formations silhouetted against a golden sunset sky
A distinctive building with soaring copper rooflines nestled in a pine forest, with manicured grounds, flowering planters, and winding concrete pathways
Dramatic sunset illuminating layered canyon walls and a winding river below, with orange sky and cloud formations above the vast desert terrain.
Golden wheat field stretching to distant mountains under a bright blue sky with white clouds
Dramatic mountain valley with steep layered rock cliffs, evergreen forest covering slopes, and patches of snow dotting the peaks under a blue sky with white clouds
Turquoise river flows through forested mountain valley under stormy sky, evergreen trees lining both banks with misty peaks beyond.
Dramatic canyon terrain with exposed rock formations, evergreen trees clinging to steep slopes, and a lush green valley stretching to distant bluffs
Distinctive columnar rock formation rises prominently from forested landscape under cloudy sky