I recently had the chance to work on a project in one of my favorite places in the world—Zion National Park. If you’ve never been, imagine towering red rocks glowing under the sun, shifting colors from vibrant orange to deep purples as the day moves on. It’s a cinematographer’s dream, but, as with any shoot, there’s always more going on behind the scenes than you might expect.
Here’s how this latest adventure played out and what I learned along the way.
The Project
I was hired as the cinematographer for a campaign by a nutritional company that makes a variety of products. The project focused mainly on still photography, capturing beautiful outdoor shots of people hiking, biking, and doing yoga. My role was to capture dynamic video footage that would complement the stills and give the client content for social media like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
We shot just south of Zion in a place called Cave Lakes near Kanab, Utah. And let me tell you—filming in Zion is one of the easiest jobs you can have as a cinematographer. No matter where you point the camera, the landscape does half the work for you. Every angle is breathtaking, from the glowing red rocks in the sunlight to the deep purple hues that emerge in the shadows. It’s a place that truly shows off the magic of natural light.
The Team
Pre-production went smoothly, thanks to Alisha from Lish Creative, who hired me for the job. We worked closely with the photographer to make sure our vision aligned, holding Zoom meetings to iron out the shot list, gear needs, and logistics.
For this project, I brought in my longtime collaborator, Tristan Weaver, who works as my first AC and sometimes second camera operator. Tristan’s not just skilled—he’s also the kind of guy you want with you on shoots like these, where you’re hiking gear up and down hills for 12-hour days. Having someone who loves the outdoors and can move quickly in tough environments was a game-changer.
The Gear
For this shoot, I kept things simple. I used my go-to camera, the Sony FX3, along with a set of G Master lenses: the 16-35mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm. I had a 14mm G Master for the wide landscape shots, and while I didn’t bring my Ronin for this shoot (something I wish I’d thought of), I relied on handheld slow-motion footage to get the dynamic shots I needed.
One thing I always do is make sure I leave clients with a library of footage. I start by checking off the essentials from the shot list, then spend the rest of the day capturing extra content—scenes that can be used down the line for different purposes. It’s about giving them flexibility, and it ensures I get the most out of the location.
Challenges and Successes
There were definitely moments where we had to hustle. The key challenge with outdoor shoots like this is natural light—you have specific windows of time to get the shots you need. Every sunrise and sunset becomes a rush to capture the perfect lighting. But the stress can also lead to laser focus, and I thrive on that energy. You have to stay nimble, react quickly, and make every shot count.
One of my favorite parts? After wrapping up the long days, Tristan and I would stay out late, trying to get the perfect astro shots of the stars. There’s nothing like the night sky in Zion, and we weren’t ready to pack up just yet.
Key Takeaways for Filmmakers
• Be Flexible: Whether it’s working around the photographer or adjusting to changing light conditions, flexibility is key. You can have the perfect shot list, but adapting on the fly is what sets you apart.
• Know Your Gear: The right gear for the job is essential, but it’s also about knowing what you can live without. For this shoot, the Sony FX3 was perfect, but I regretted not bringing a gimbal for smoother tracking shots.
• Choose the Right Team: Surround yourself with people who can move quickly, think creatively, and handle the physical demands of a tough shoot. Tristan’s enthusiasm and stamina were just as important as his technical skills.
Wrapping Up
At the end of the day, this was one of those projects that reminded me why I love what I do. The stunning landscapes, the teamwork, the late-night stargazing—it all added up to a dream job. I’m grateful to Alisha for the opportunity, and I can’t wait to share the final product(s).
I’m already editing a few highlights from the shoot and may do a private share for those interested. If you want to be part of that, just reply to this email and I’ll make sure to include you!
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories from the field.
Until next time,
Rob ☕️
