Every destination has two stories. The first is the one every visitor sees. The second belongs to travelers willing to spend a little more observation time. This month, BOARDING PASS crosses an historic bridge to discover how preparation, patience and one unforgettable moment transformed a beautiful landmark into a memorable travel experience.

“Patience…”  – Tempe Town Lake

Welcome to the MAY 2026 BOARDING PASS Conversation.

In Travel Photography, confidence is never an accident. It’s the reward for an intentional process that impacts the quality and consistency of your images. PREPARATION isn’t just about packing a bag. It’s about building the confidence to recognize opportunities before they happen.

Logistical Preparation: Before every trip, I run through a simple pre-flight check. Maps. Sunrise and sunset times. Weather. Battery power. Accessories. None of these create great photographs—but every one of them helps remove distractions, so I can concentrate on seeing instead of scrambling.

Operational Preparation: The second kind of preparation happens inside the Camera App. Small skills. Small habits. Small adjustments. Tap and Swipe. Exposure. Camera modes. Individually they seem simple. Together they completely change the stories your smartphone can tell.

“The Full Monty…”  – Tempe Town Lake

PREPARATION didn’t change the Bridge.

It changed the PHOTOGRAPHER.

PREPARATION had done its job long before the shutter was pressed. But PREPARATION alone wasn’t enough. Had I photographed the bridge thirty minutes earlier, the sky would have lacked its rich blue emotion. Thirty minutes later, the sky would have turned black and much of that feeling would have disappeared.

PREPARATION gave me confidence to wait, and PATIENCE told me when the lighting had finally arrived. The reward was a photograph that truly revealed the vibe of the moment.

“Hog Heaven…”  – The Hideaway, Cave Creek

The mentality of “being present” (eliminating distractions) is a common theme in Travel photography. By focusing your attention while on-location, you’ll be able to acutely observe nuances and details often overlooked.

This ‘Bike Week’ image is a perfect example. While strolling the perimeter of a live music patio. While looking for some shade, I turned a corner and was face to face with  this Harley, masquerading as a travel poster. Shot 3 views, backed away to see if I was shooting wide enough when the owner excused himself, walked around me, got on his bike and rode off. Had I been distracted by the racous patrons and music, this image would have never happened.

This Harley was a reward for PAYING ATTENTION… 

> How did you capture the rowing team photo?

Dan: “Sometimes you have to make your moments. I assumed the role of a visitor walking up and down the coastline, observing the entire scene. As they turned to prep their racing shell, I quickly took the shot and walked  away. The unassuming tourist… 

> Why did you select this orientation to shoot the bridge?

Dan: “The north coastline is how visitors access and experience the bridge. With parking under the Red Mountain Freeway, people can walk across the bridge into Tempe or walk down hillside steps to access the lake directly. It was important to capture a photograph that viewers could spatially relate to… as if they were standing next to the arches.”

> Did the final Bridge photo meet your goals?

Dan: “It’s always great to see a dramatic, well executed dusk shot. By shooting a variety of exposure levels, you always have visual control over the final photograph. This compositional view next to the bridge creates momentum that leads southbound travelers where they want to go. And you helped take them there…

> Did the Harley photograph qualify as a single image story? 

Dan: “Definitely. When you take photos that fast, you’re bound to miss details. Note the Harley Davidson blanket hanging on the storefront behind the bike. Aha moments tend to become stories…”