When I got the assignment to shoot the Oregon Coast for Condé Nast Traveler, my mind immediately went to The Goonies. Pirates, gadgets, first loves, adventure, a treasure hunt—plus a battle against gentrification. A true classic of my childhood!

Much of the film was shot in Astoria, with key scenes in and around Cannon Beach, which is where I was based for this project. Naturally, Haystack Rock was on my shot list. I resisted looking at the thousands of existing photos, choosing instead to trust my intuition. Did it help? At the time, I’d say yes. Did I overshoot this rock? Absolutely!

What I love about assignments like this is the variety—early morning hikes, stops at local restaurants, and long afternoons on the beach, capturing people, food, and the stunning coastal landscape.Whenever I’m in a new place, I try to find its rhythm. How does it feel? What’s the mood? How does the light shift throughout the day? While meeting the client’s needs, I’m also asking myself: How do I relate to this place, and how do I articulate it in my own visual voice?