Virgin River THE ASSIGNMENT: To get a photograph of the Zion Lodge to be used in Xanterra Parks & Resorts advertising and promotions materials, ideally a view of the property that included the cabins as well as the main lodge. The timeline was three days on site. I jumped, excited to have the opportunity and especially happy to have the chance to work with my son-in-law and E.B. Lane senior graphic designer, Chip Davenport.
SUGGESTIONS FROM XANTERRA MANAGEMENT: The best view of the lodge would be from across the Virgin River, high up on a canyon wall. Another suggestion was to use a cherry picker to get good view of the lodge.
CHALLENGES: Unfortunately, there is no natural vantage point in the park that gives the view everyone hoped to capture in the planning stages. Not even close. The view from across the Virgin River was too far away, even with an extreme telephoto lens, and the summer foliage nearly blocked out the lodge entirely. This was determined after scrambling three hours up a canyon wall in the hot, midday sun. In addition, the park service would not allow a cherry picker in the park without special permits, and we determined that the only view we would get from the device would be the shingles on the roof of the lodge. That would have been an obvious waste of time and money in renting the necessary equipment.
Instead, a few phone calls altered and expanded the assignment: As long as we were at Zion National Park, we were to get photos not only of Zion Lodge, but of the Zion Lodge Restaurant, cabins, hiking trails and commonly visited places in the park. We also hoped to capture candid photos of people enjoying the park. This was going to be tough, as travel in much of the park is by shuttle bus only. Time constraints, travel restraints, extreme heat, maintenance vehicles on the walking paths around the lodge, and crowds of people were our new potential obstacles to the assignment. Fortunately, the staff at the Zion Lodge was extremely hospitable and polite. We were treated like VIPs, and the beauty of Zion in the summer was intoxicating.
This is a photo from the vantage point where management suggested we go for a good photograph of the Lodge. The arrow marks the main Zion Lodge. Only roofs were visible here.
BETTER LODGE PHOTOS
Horses and riders crossing the Virgin River in Zion National Park.
People enjoying the view of White Throne from Weeping Wall.
Did I mention that this was my first commercial photography project? My previous career path was as a veterinarian and business owner for 25 years. Photography has always been a serious hobby, but I always have taken photos for my own pleasure.
This is what I learned from this first assignment:
1. Have a clear definition of the project, but always be ready for it to evolve.
2. Make a commitment to give any project my best effort.
3. Creativity under pressure is not easy.
4. Listen when advice is given, but in the end, share what is possible and what will work.
5. Make a plan, because time is limited.
6. Weather can change everything.
7. Focus efforts to get the core of the project complete. Then add on the extras as time allows.
8. No matter how good a photograph I take, next time it can be better.
9. Bring joy to the process, or it won’t be worth doing.
Thank you, E.B. Lane and Xanterra, for the opportunity. I hope the photographs have proven as valuable to you as the experience was to me.
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