I admit, this session from fall of 2023

did NOT go as planned. 

You’re probably saying, “what the heck do you mean?!”, but yes, I was really fighting the waves trying to keep my head above water. 

A family walks together on a concrete path during sunset with pink and purple sky overhead.

I had timed this session perfectly so that we’d catch sunset just as we stood on the dock of my most popular spot overlooking a lake. I drove along the winding, bumpy road of the park, jamming to a great song to pump me up and get me inspired. What was that ahead? Yup, I forgot my glasses.

I slowly stopped my car with my mouth wide open. The gate was shut. And locked. No… Why…?! 


As if on cue, my phone rang, and my client’s number was in bold at the top of the screen. 

I picked up, and she let me know they’d be there soon. They had just entered the park. I quickly told her about finding the gate locked, and that we’d have to change course. There was another little lake beach that we could shoot at closer to the entrance. She agreed, and all was well. I felt pretty confident; I wasn’t concerned about having to change course. The Marine Corps loves to tell us “adapt and overcome”. So, I turned my car around and backtracked to the little pond-lake I’d passed several times that season. Well, now I’d get to try it! 


Time ticked on… and suddenly, it was session time, but my clients were no where in sight. 

My phone rang again, and I answered it almost too quickly. 

She told me they were at a locked gate, and didn’t see me.

Huh? I never saw them pass me… 

I asked her if she could send me a pin of their location. When the text came through, I realized with a twinge of anxiety that they were clear on the other side of the park, on the other side of the gates! 

Three people stand together in a desert landscape during sunset with golden brush and cloudy skies in the background.

We both discovered that there were two entrances; I had assumed they would use the “Nebraska” entrance, but they used the “Iowa” entrance. 

My heart sunk deep into my gut.

Having sent her a pin of my location a while back, she said they could turn around and meet me where I was, but it would take 10 minutes. 

I glanced at the sky, at the sun just kissing the horizon, and knew we wouldn’t make it for sunset. 


Nevertheless, I was determined to give them anything at this point.

I told her to meet me at the Nebraska entrance. 

We both discovered that there were two entrances; I had assumed they would use the “Nebraska” entrance, but they used the “Iowa” entrance. 

My heart sunk deep into my gut.

Having sent her a pin of my location a while back, she said they could turn around and meet me where I was, but it would take 10 minutes. 

I glanced at the sky, at the sun just kissing the horizon, and knew we wouldn’t make it for sunset. 


Nevertheless, I was determined to give them anything at this point.

I told her to meet me at the Nebraska entrance. 

Hanging up, I put pedal to the metal and sped probably a bit too fast to the entrance. 

As their car pulled up about 5 minutes later, I led them about 400 yards down the road, pulled over to the shoulder, and hopped out. 

We shook hands, I apologized profusely, and told her we would get what we could, and if nothing turned out, we would reshoot. 

And then, as we started our session during my first accidental blue hour, magic started to happen. 

Cotton candy clouds mixed with deep blue storms from far off, a moon rising in the East, birds flying along the horizon, a gentle breeze to stir hair and dresses, and the soft glow from the sun that had set moments ago. 

Although the session was going horribly wrong for perfectionist me who prizes great customer service, it still came out with an incredible sunset and scene. 

A couple embraces in a field of tall grass and wildflowers at sunset while a child in pink reaches towards them.
A couple embraces in a golden field of tall grass during sunset with pink and orange sky in the background.
A sweet moment captured at sunset showing affection between parent and child wearing a pink velvet dress and bow.
Family walking together on a rural dirt road at sunset with golden light and autumn grass in the background.
Happy family playing and laughing together in an autumn field during golden hour.
A couple lifts their children playfully against a scenic sunset backdrop with golden grasses and cloudy skies.
Two young children hug and laugh together outdoors in autumn wearing coordinating outfits.
A family walks together on a path during golden hour with autumn foliage and pink clouds in the background.
A tender family moment captured at sunset in a golden field with warm autumn colors and glowing light.

I learned 3 big things from that session: 

  • Research research research your locations. Even if you shoot there all the time, make sure there’s no random closures or events happening the week or day of your shoot. 
  • Be 100% thorough with your clients, and then be even more thorough. You need to plan everything to a T, and make backup plans for that. You’re responsible for leading and guiding your clients through everything with your session! 
  • And finally, be flexible and confident in your skills. As a photographer, you HAVE to be ready to adjust settings in a split second to account for diminished light, work in an entirely new and different location without seeing it beforehand, and problem solve quickly in tight situations. 


So go out there and quit trying to keep your head above water.

Plan ahead, get a floaty, and ride the waves.

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