McKenna & Dustin

We started this session at the crack of dawn. We met at 4:45am near the location and drove there together. Have you ever driven up a the side of a mountain (literally dirt roads) when it is completely dark out? Well neither have I until this shoot BUT let me tell you it was 100% worth it.

When we got there the light was just starting to rise. For sunrise shoots I like to get there 30 minutes before the sun actually rises. WHY? because of the shot above. That's actually the moon!!! It was WAY more stunning in person but I am STILL obsessed with it either way.

Another big reason is because I don't want to miss the beauty of that very first sighting of light (it is my FAV).

Here is a before & after

As the light started rising we went to the other side of the mountain where this AMAZING dock was. This dock was one of the coolest things I have ever seen, it lead no where other than off the mountain.

FUN FACT: It was freezing when we took these photos and this was the only outfit she wore and she was SO cold, so of course they had to cuddle for warmth until the sun started warming things up.

WHen the sun was finally starting to come up after these two photos and we were really starting to get good lighting. In these photos you will see the images get warmer and lighter as the beautiful light rises.

It was seriously a steep drop off and even I was a little spooked standing on it.

FAQ

The number one question I always get about this session is "WHERE IS THIS LOCATION?"

BUT first I want to talk about one thing, I am trying to break the stigma of not sharing locations. WHY?

Because so many photogs and people preach "community over competition" which is what I do as well. There is enough room in this industry for all of us and we should support each other and not tear each other down. It is these same people that find these types of locations and post about them like they are some exclusive spot and then you ask about it and they give you the cold shoulder. To me this is not community over competition.

SO for everyone who has asked me for this location I have sent them a pin of exactly where it is and told them how we got there, what time we shot and more (SO if you DM me on instagram I will send you the pin) but I will try and explain were this location was if you would rather not DM me.

It was called Humboldt Mountain out in the cave creek area.

This was the actual address of the pin I sent out (from apple maps)

Tonto National Forest
Tonto National Forest, AZ 00199
United States

We were able to drive right to the dock so no hiking involved!!!

You don't need four wheel drive but it's probably preferred and there is dirt bumpy roads involved.

You go straight up the mountain but it is a fun adventure I 10/10 recommend.

"What time did you shoot at?"

I wrote about it earlier but we did a sunrise shoot and the time of sunrise changes so I always look it up a week before and arrive around 30min-15min before the actual sunrises. This gives you time to settle in and take some moon shots and warm up and that way you NEVER miss the first bit of light.

"What lenses did you use?"

I used my 24-70mm 2.8 & 85mm 1.8

IF you have more questions to add about this shoot feel free to email me and I will answer.

McKenna + Dustin

McKenna & Dustin

FAQ