Monahans Sandhills State Park | Flying Dress
As a photographer, I’ve always believed that beauty surrounds us. It’s just a matter of seeing it. So many people feel they have to travel to far-off, exotic places to create something magical, but I’ve long known that Texas holds treasures too. And one of them has been quietly calling my name for over a decade.
I first learned about Monahans Sandhills State Park about ten years ago. The rolling sand dunes, tucked away in West Texas, looked like something out of a dream. For years, I wanted to photograph there, but life and business always pulled me elsewhere...until now!
When I started offering Flying Dress sessions in 2023, I immediately thought: Monahans is the perfect backdrop. The sweeping dunes, the natural light, the sense of openness and power. It all felt aligned with the vision I had for these sessions.
In November, a client from Lubbock traveled to Dallas for a Flying Dress session. During one of our many conversations, I mentioned the sand dunes in Monahans. To my surprise, she drove out to see them for herself in January. A couple months later, she texted me:
“Let’s do a shoot in Monahans!”
The Beauty That Took My Breath Away
When we arrived, I was giddy. I couldn’t stop smiling; the kind of big smile that makes you look like a kid at the fair. My client told me all she saw in her rearview mirror was my big Kool-Aid grin. The moment we entered the park, I was in awe. It was like stepping into a painting crafted by the hands of God. It was amazing.
Although I didn’t get a chance to scout the location in advance, I trusted my client’s judgment, and she didn’t steer us wrong. When we reached the top of one of the sand hills and looked out at the view, it truly took my breath away. The dunes rolled endlessly, soft and golden, stretching across the horizon like a dream.
Behind the Scenes
Let me tell you that sand is no joke!!! Shooting in Monahans was a workout! Hauling gear, guiding poses, chasing light—it reminded me real quick that I need to get back to working out. But every step in the sand was worth it.
Two friends came along to assist and ended up doing their own Flying Dress sessions. One of them had been saying for a while that she wanted to do a session. So I said, “What better time and place than now?” She and her daughter were both glowing with excitement. That kind of shared joy is what makes this work so fulfilling.
The Takeaways
With the dunes’ warm, neutral tones, you truly can’t choose a bad dress color. Every shade pops!!!! The contrast between the soft sand and a bold gown creates such a powerful visual story. I left the park feeling energized, inspired, and proud. That experience reminded me that I really can create something unforgettable and that my work matters.
Want to Experience It for Yourself?
If you’ve been dreaming of a Flying Dress session in a place that looks like a faraway land but is just a 6-hour drive from Dallas, this is it.
I’ll be offering Desert Queen Sessions in Monahans Sandhills when I have a minimum of 5 bookings, to keep things cost-effective for my clients.
Interested? Visit my website to sign up for the waitlist or reach out to plan your own personalized session. Prepare to be wow’d. The dunes are waiting.
