The winding drive into Sedona, Arizona is a passage into a world of stunning contrasts. My introduction to this unique location was in 1990 on an advertising shoot. Being a mecca for automotive photography, I’ve been drawn back numerous times for projects with Audi, Toyota, and other brands. Sedona is a visual symphony that, in winter, transforms into something even more extraordinary. As Therese and I chased the sunset along State Route 179, my eyes darted between the road and the panorama unfolding before us. Each curve revealed a new masterpiece. Sculpted by a millennium of history, the towering red cliffs wore a delicate dusting of snow—a fleeting adornment that turned the rugged land into a dreamscape.
The exchange between colors and textures in Sedona is a treat for anyone behind the camera. The deep, rusty reds of the sandstone, revealed by the low winter sun, contrasted sharply with the fresh snow. Against the crisp sky, details of the craggy cliff edges seemed to leap into focus. I pulled over too many times to catch the light accentuating the snowy caps of Cathedral Rock, Snoopy Rock, and Bell Rock. The light turned them into fiery monuments in the season’s chill.
Having visited mostly for projects in past years, I really wanted to explore the scenery by foot in our short weekend. My quest for the perfect muse led me to Subway Rock, a Sedona treasure for anyone seeking dramatic vistas. The trail was blanketed in snow, its pristine surface broken only by the tracks of previous hikers snow melting into red mud. The crunch of each step provided a rhythmic backdrop as we hiked, pausing frequently to frame the wonders around me before running to catch up with my eager trail partner.
Reaching Subway Rock, we were struck by its divine beauty. The natural arch, carved by time and elements, must be experienced in person. Snow clung to its shady areas demanding secure footing on the inclines. Discovering a bigger crowd than expected, I waited to photograph the layered hues of ochre, crimson, and amber—all bathed in golden light. It was a perfect framing of the natural and the ethereal.
As dusk approached and the chill transformed parts of the trail back into ice, we scrambled back into Sedona to our hotel. Upon arrival, we recognized our hiking expedition had painted our clothes and encrusted our boots with red earth. Anxious for a well-earned dinner, we savored our hot meal, treated ourselves to dessert, and called it a night, walking through freezing temperatures back to our room.
The next morning, I explored the charm and textures of Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, which offered equally captivating subjects to indulge. With adobe walls, hand carved wooden gates, wrought-iron details, and colorful tile mosaics, the Old Mexico-inspired architecture stood in harmony with Sedona’s wild beauty. The ivy-draped walls and soft lights strung across the cobblestone gave the scene a timeless glow, as though being transported to a foreign destination.
Each corner of Tlaquepaque offered a composition waiting to be created. Bubbling fountains, intricate wooden doors, boutiques and art galleries, and the interplay of shadow and light through the courtyards created an atmosphere both intimate and grand.
Sedona in winter is a paradise, offering a dynamic fusion of rugged wilderness and refined human artistry. It’s a place where colors, textures, and light tell stories far richer than any single photograph can convey. In many ways, it’s “supernatural,” which compels so many to attribute their own spiritual meanings and metaphysical connections to the area. As we packed our gear and headed down the road to the cliff dwellings at Montezuma’s Castle, I realized that Sedona isn’t just a “location”—it’s a majestic vortex just a road trip away.