If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a traveling photographer, I’ve got a little treat for you. Hint: it’s a lot of excitement and exploration with doses of jet lag and map reading tossed in. Travel with me to the Scottish Highlands for Sabrina and Andy’s first anniversary photoshoot!

Planning a Trip to Glencoe, Scotland

I shot Sabrina and Andy’s elopement last year in Olympic National Park. During our time, I shared with them that I would likely travel to Scotland the following winter. They immediately said Scotland was also at the top of their travel list. Amazingly, we aligned our trips to shoot in beautiful Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands. It was meant to be! Photographing their first anniversary photos was so very special, and I’m grateful our schedules allowed for another adventurous session together.

Expecting the Unexpected

Being a traveling photographer is a ton of fun, but it’s not necessarily glamorous (in the best way). Over the years, I’ve learned to pack light, expect the unexpected, and prepare for almost anything. Most of the time, it’s not just myself I’m looking out for, but my couples, too. I want to give them the best experience possible during once-in-a-lifetime trips like these, so it’s imperative that I do some research and prep work before arrival and then scout our locations once I get there. Throw in potential language barriers, crazy time zones, and even crazier weather; it can be a lot to line up. But I truly love it, and I’m here to do the leg work so you can enjoy the ride (metaphorically—you’ll still have to hike along with me, of course!).

Getting to Glencoe

After a long journey, I found myself in Scotland, feeling the effects of jet lag (unsurprisingly!), and I spent the night at an airport hotel to recharge. The next morning, I picked up a rental car, excited to begin my adventure from Glasgow to Glencoe. It was my first experience driving on the opposite side of the road, which made me a little nervous, but to my relief, everything turned out just fine! 

Since I was going there during winter, I knew the daylight hours were minimal, and I maximized my time in Scotland’s picturesque Highlands. On my drive to Glencoe, I stopped at several places along the way and scouted for Sabrina and Andy’s session the next day. After getting my bearings and grabbing a hot meal, I finally checked in to my hotel—the coziest inn in the middle of nowhere. I cozied up in a comfy chair with a plate of fish and chips to edit by the fire before heading to bed (the perfect way to gear up for a photography session!).

The following day, I woke up with the sunrise (thank you, jet lag) and went on a peaceful morning walk alongside a loch, a dream come true for me! The ground was covered in frost, and the sky looked like an artist swiped his brush across it (again, more gorgeous inspiration). Any exhaustion I felt subsided, and I couldn’t wait to see what the day had in store.

Exploring Iconic Sites in the Scottish Highlands

I spent several hours adventuring to the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the iconic Harry Potter train viaduct). It’s a must-see if you’re there. Fun fact: scenes from James Bond: Skyfall were filmed here in Glen Etive as well. Then, I retired to my hotel to warm up before our shoot!

Note: If you’re looking to plan your trip to the Scottish Highlands, this travel blog has a ton of helpful info, especially if you’re a little short on time. The couple describes some of the best sites and hiking trails with tips on how to get there and some history, too.

The Photoshoot: Three Sisters Viewpoint & Lagangarbh Hut

Since the town is so small, many places close down during winter. Coincidentally, Sabrina and Andy ended up staying at the same hotel as I did so we could drive together to our shoot locations. We drove about fifteen minutes to the first spot—a beautiful viewpoint—and just five minutes farther to the second location—a charming white cabin nestled in the mountains. We filmed at Glencoe’s legendary Three Sisters Viewpoint and Lagangarbh Cottage.

We were lucky to get the perfect mix of moody clouds, which broke into an insane golden sunset. Our shoot was filled with laughter and catching up. At one point, we noticed a fish stuck in a low stream, and Andy moved it to the larger creek. Simple moments like these make me appreciate my career as a travel and adventure photographer even more. I get to experience things with my couples that traditional photography doesn’t leave room for. It’s a little less planned and more spontaneous, but it is so worth it. Those real, raw, and extraordinary moments make the most incredible photos.

After the shoot, we continued to catch up over a glass of wine upstairs at the hotel before heading out for their next adventure, and I continued on my adventure to Edinburgh the next day. 

Traveling (and Photography) is Better with Friends!

When traveling to a new place, especially a country you’ve never visited before, it can be comforting and inspiring to meet up for a session before your adventures. You can bounce ideas around, share tips, insights, and research, and get the lay of the land and culture together. It’s not quite as overwhelming as tackling it on your own. My trip to Scotland’s breathtaking Highlands was everything I dreamed of and more. And photographing one of my past elopement couple’s first anniversary made it even better! Cheers, Sabrina and Andy. Here’s to more adventures to come!