The build-up to this shoot was far more emotional for me than any I’d done before. Learning that their father had tragically passed months prior to the shoot, I wanted to make sure we could go somewhere and feel his presence. Driving through the Tonto National Forest one day, I knew I’d found the place. The light, the canyons, the sunset… it was too good.

He was missed, most definitely, but there were moments of peace and laughter and joy. I kept feeling so much gratitude when I was up there with them. Gratitude for love that expands beyond this earthly existence. Gratitude for strong mothers that push forward even when it seems impossible. Gratitude for the beauty of this world and that we get to freely immerse ourselves in it. Gratitude that I get to do what I love and call it art. Gratitude that people enjoy it.