You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat: Lake Powell, Behind the Scenes

First five images from Mike Tossy



I am not sure if it was my 'bugging' but in addition to the 'official images', Gordon, Mike and Mark also generously take, and send on 'behind the scenes' images each year. The official shots tell many stories, and the behind the scenes shots, beautifully show viewers how each story came together. They also give a glimpse into the relationships that form over 4 days of working and living together in close quarters.


The process shots, take viewers along for the journey and for this years adventure, much of the action happened not on sand or rock, but on the water.  With three photographers and three models on board, there was more than one vessel required. In addition to the house boat, a speed boat was also used to for the shoot.  Many of the images included in this years shoot, were taken with a model on land, and a photographer shooting from the water. Here are some of my favorite behind the scene shots from decks of the boats as they travel Lake Powell.


'I anticipated enjoying the photography and the boating, but was slightly concerned about being "trapped" in the tight confines of a houseboat with 3 guys I didn't know. I shouldn't have been worried - the three models were great!'


Next five images from Studio MG photography

'While water levels on Lake Powell had been dropping for close to 20 years, the level started inching back up in 2015. Now there are a couple of well known places we couldn't see because they are underwater again! The level is still well below the high water line, and will be for years to come.'


Jacob and Nathan

Last five images from Gordon Nebeker

'Lake Powell is an amazing place. Located on the boarder of Arizona and Utah and created by the Glen Canyon Dam in the Colorado River, Lake Powell is a museum of erosion. It winds its way between tall mountains and rock formations for over 160 miles. The best way to see the lake is on a houseboat where one stays each night and by smaller speedboats that allow you to get around much faster and into inlets where a larger boat would not fit. And that is what we did for four wonderful days.'


'I can honestly say I have never been anywhere more breathtaking. Words can not do justice to the shear beauty of the natural scenery. The colors in the sky were so vibrant and the earth-tones were so deep and vivid with the suns reflection off the water. We could also have not asked for better weather. We had even made jokes several times about the "Photography Gods" being on our side for all the right moments to capture those perfect shots we had been looking for. A great example was on the last day when we were trying to catch our last solo-photos. We had just returned to the house boat and were on our way to take the house and speed boats back to unload and say our goodbyes (until next time) and it started to cloud up and rain. That was the first time during the entire trip we had seen rain. It was almost as if they (the Photography Gods) were indicating the conclusion.'

Gordon requested the pose below, but reports the chemistry between Nathan and Patrick was real




All hands on deck!