Desert Days: A Family Road Trip Through California’s High Desert

There’s something magical about jumping in the car with your favorite people and heading toward the horizon. The open road, desert sun, and unexpected stops make every trip feel like a mini adventure. For families who love to explore and take photos, the journey through California’s High Desert—stretching from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree, then off the beaten path to Bombay Beach and Niland—is a playground for creativity, connection, and camera magic.

High Desert Views: Wide Open Spaces & Golden Light

As you leave the city behind and climb into the High Desert, the landscape changes. The air gets drier, the light hits differently, and you start to feel the stillness that makes this region so photogenic. Rolling hills, desert shrubs, and endless sky make for the perfect start to your landscape photography adventure.

Photography Tip: Shoot during golden hour for soft, warm tones. A wide-angle lens captures those expansive views, while a zoom lens lets you focus on distant details like wind turbines or distant mountain ranges.

Palm Springs: Retro Vibes & Bold Color

Palm Springs is where vintage charm meets desert luxury. With its mid-century homes, rainbow-colored doors, tall palm trees, and backdrop of rugged mountains, this city is made for urban photography and lifestyle portraits.

Stop at famous spots like the pink door on East Sierra Way or the rainbow houses of Twin Palms. Let the kids jump in the frame or catch candid moments by the pool with that dreamy desert sun shining down.

Photography Tip: Play with shadows and geometry. Use palm trees, doorways, and rooflines to frame your subjects. Early morning and late afternoon light makes colors pop without harsh glare.

Joshua Tree: Nature’s Sculpture Garden

Next up: Joshua Tree National Park. The otherworldly mix of giant boulders, spiky Joshua Trees, and endless skies makes this stop feel like another planet. It's a dream for nature photography, silhouettes, and even family portraits with adventure vibes.

Hike through Hidden Valley, climb Skull Rock, or watch the sun dip behind the Cholla Cactus Garden. At night, the skies come alive—perfect for astrophotography.

Photography Tip: Bring a tripod for night shots and a fast lens (f/2.8 or lower) to catch the stars. During the day, use a circular polarizer to enhance contrast between sky and earth.

Bombay Beach: Art in the Unexpected

Bombay Beach sits quietly along the Salton Sea—but don’t let its size fool you. This little town is bursting with creative installations, bold sculptures, and colorful murals. It's raw, artistic, and deeply expressive. Perfect for those who love fine art photography, photojournalism, and surreal storytelling.

As you explore the area, look for boats buried in the sand, TVs hanging from trees, or full-scale sculptures made from scrap metal. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s endlessly photogenic.

Photography Tip: Use natural light to your advantage. Try different angles—get low to emphasize scale or shoot from above for creative compositions. Don’t be afraid to experiment here.

Salvation Mountain & Niland: Color, Hope, and a Story

Just south of Bombay Beach lies Salvation Mountain in Niland—a towering, hand-painted hill covered in bright colors, Bible verses, and messages of love. Built by Leonard Knight, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience and a striking backdrop for portrait photography and travel storytelling.

Families will love wandering the painted paths while you snap colorful, joyful photos. Whether it’s a posed portrait or a candid laugh, the energy here is contagious.

Photography Tip: Use a 50mm prime lens for clean, focused portraits. Let the background colors frame your subjects naturally. Don’t forget detail shots—the painted flowers, words, and textures are works of art in themselves.

Family Road Trip Photography Tips

A trip like this is more than a vacation—it’s a story unfolding one photo at a time. Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss a moment:

Gear Checklist:

• DSLR or mirrorless camera

• 35mm, 50mm, and wide-angle lenses

• Tripod for night or group shots

• Lens wipes and dust covers

• Extra batteries + SD cards

• Polarizing and ND filters

• Mobile gimbal for video or reels

Bonus Tips:

• Document the in-between moments—gas station stops, backseat laughs, or scenic overlooks.

• Take video clips throughout the day to stitch together a short reel later.

• Don’t forget to jump into the frame! Use a tripod and timer or ask a kind stranger.

Final Thoughts: Capture What You Feel

What makes this road trip special isn’t just the places you visit—it’s the memories you make with your family. It’s your kids running barefoot through the sand, the way the sunlight hits your partner’s face at dusk, or the dusty trail that leads to a hidden piece of art.

Through your lens, you’re not just capturing images—you’re bottling up moments of joy, curiosity, and connection. So take your time. Pull over for the unexpected. Shoot with intention. And above all, have fun with it.

Because out here in the California desert, there’s no such thing as a wrong turn—only new stories waiting to be told.

Capturing Coachella: Photography Tips & Festival Insights

Coachella is almost here, and whether you’re going for the music, the vibes, or just to people-watch, one thing’s for sure—it’s a photographer’s dream. I’ve shot everything from music festivals and concerts to corporate events and private parties, and festival photography has a special kind of energy that makes it both challenging and exciting.

Over the years, I’ve captured so many different environments—crowded venues, low-light performances, outdoor festivals in the middle of nowhere, and intimate moments backstage. Every event teaches you something new about shooting in unpredictable conditions, and Coachella is no different. The mix of golden-hour lighting, insane stage setups, and stylish festival-goers makes it the perfect place to push your creativity behind the lens. Whether you’re bringing your camera, phone, or even a disposable, here are some tips to help you capture the festival in the best way possible.

Essential Coachella Photography Tips

1. Golden hour is your best friend

If you want that dreamy festival glow, aim to shoot early in the morning or right before sunset. Midday sun in the desert is brutal—it’ll wash out colors, create harsh shadows, and make people squint in every shot. If you have to shoot during the day, find some shade or position your subject with their back to the sun for softer lighting.

2. Capture the experience, not just the stage

Coachella isn’t just about the performances—it’s about the people, the energy, the moments in between. Some of my favorite shots from festivals aren’t even of the artists but of the crowd. People dancing, laughing, throwing their hands up when their favorite song drops—those are the moments that tell the real story of a festival.

3. Use a fast shutter speed for action shots

Festivals are full of movement, and a slow shutter speed will leave you with a blurry mess. Keep your shutter speed at 1/500s or higher to freeze the action, whether it’s an artist mid-jump or a crowd going wild. If you’re shooting with a phone, burst mode is your best friend for catching those split-second moments.

4. Experiment with different angles

If you want your shots to stand out, don’t just snap everything from eye level. Get low, climb up on something (safely), shoot through objects—use whatever’s around you to create depth and make your photos more interesting. Wide-angle lenses work great for capturing the scale of the festival, while a telephoto lens can help you isolate moments in a crowded scene.

5. Be ready for low-light challenges

Once the sun goes down, Coachella turns into a neon wonderland, but low light can be tricky. If you’re using a camera, crank up the ISO while keeping an eye on noise. A fast lens, like a 50mm f/1.8, can make a huge difference. For phone photographers, night mode is a game changer, but keep your hands steady or use a small tripod for sharper images.

6. Candid over posed

The best festival photos are the ones that feel real. Instead of trying to get the perfect posed shot, look for authentic moments—friends hyping each other up, someone getting lost in the music, a quiet second before a big drop. These are the shots that actually take you back to the moment.

7. Protect your gear

Coachella is in the desert, which means dust, sweat, and accidental drink spills are all part of the experience. If you’re bringing a camera, use a UV filter on your lens and keep a microfiber cloth handy. If you’re shooting with your phone, a simple lens wipe will keep your shots crisp. And whatever you do, don’t forget extra batteries or a portable charger—you’ll need it.

My experience shooting music festivals

Over the years, I’ve photographed everything from small local shows to massive festivals, and I’ve learned that adaptability is key. My first time shooting a festival, I made every mistake possible—overexposed daytime shots, blurry night photos, and a dead battery halfway through the night. But every event has helped me get better at reading the energy of a crowd, finding the best lighting, and capturing moments that feel alive.

Some of my favorite shots have come from unexpected moments. One time, I caught a perfect silhouette of a dancer against a neon-lit backdrop. Another time, I was able to capture an artist’s raw emotion mid-performance, completely in their zone. These are the kinds of shots that make festival photography so rewarding.

Final thoughts

Coachella is a dream for photographers, whether you’re shooting for fun, content creation, or professionally. The key is to be observant, experiment with different perspectives, and focus on the moments that make the experience unforgettable. Whether it’s golden-hour portraits, high-energy crowd shots, or the neon glow of the festival at night, every part of Coachella is an opportunity to capture something amazing.

If you’re heading to Coachella and want some professional shots of your festival outfits, book a session with Last Minute Photoshoot. Let’s create some magic and make sure you leave with the best memories, captured forever.