A Post-SEMA Adventure

If you’ve ever been to the SEMA Show, you know it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Between walking back and forth between halls, the daily commute to the shuttle, and, of course, the night life, it can be a busy week.

By the time Saturday morning rolled around, my body was running on fumes. I had spent the week racking up 22,000 steps a day on average, soaking in every corner of the show. Late nights, early mornings, and the constant buzz of the event left me exhausted—but in the best way possible. So, when my alarm went off at 4:15 a.m., it wasn’t exactly welcome, but I knew the day ahead would be worth every groggy moment.

I rolled out of bed, grabbed my gear, and waited in the lobby of the Downtown Grand for Tucker Harris to pull up. By 4:45, we were in the rental car, cruising south toward the Jean/Roach Dry Lake Beds. Tucker, the editor-in-chief of Diesel World magazine, is someone I’ve been fortunate to know for a few years now. Joining us was his right hand man, Jon Daniels, one of the most talented photographers in the diesel truck scene. The chance to spend a day creating content with the Mach1Media team? Let’s just say I wasn’t about to hit snooze.

The drive was quiet, with only the shadows of the mountains visible against the predawn sky. Jon, Tucker, and I made some small talk about the show, about the day, and ultimately just attempted to shake the grogginess before the days festivities began. At a quick stop at a truck stop for coffee and doughnuts, I joked that this sugary breakfast would have to fuel me until late afternoon—turns out it wasn’t really a joke.

The lake beds are a little over 40 minutes outside of Las Vegas, but they feel like another planet. Vast, flat, dry earth encircled by rugged mountains, the Jean/Roach Dry Lake Beds are the go-to destination for post-SEMA photos. The light at sunrise is surreal. It’s the kind of natural backdrop you can’t replicate anywhere else.

We arrived just as the horizon was starting to glow. Even for a Wisconsin guy like me, the morning cold hit hard. It wasn’t long before my fingers were numb, making even basic camera adjustments a challenge. But as the light began to spread across the lake bed, illuminating the cracked surface and throwing long shadows from the surrounding mountains, none of that mattered. It was beautiful, and it’s moments like this that make you forget the chill.

This was my second time shooting here, but it still felt as magical as the first time I was there. The dirt, a light tan shade, clings to everything, but it also gives the photos an earthy texture that’s impossible to fake. The empty expanse framed by towering mountains creates an otherworldly sense of scale, and coupling this with some of the most insane builds a guy has ever seen is the cherry on top. No matter how many times I’ve seen this place, it always stops me in my tracks.

We jumped straight into the action, with no downtime to speak of. The first vehicles of the day were a handful of trucks from RYD Motorsports. Based out of Texas, RYD has over 25 years of experience building custom suspension setups, and it shows in their work. They specialize in 4-link suspension kits for a variety of trucks, including OBS Ford models and a particularly stunning first-gen Cummins. These trucks were immaculate—a perfect combination of form and function. Shooting them in the surreal setting of the lake bed only amplified their presence.

Then came what can only be described as the most unique build of the day: Mike’s C4 Corvette with a Greenwood body kit and an OM606 diesel engine swap under the hood. Let me tell you, this car was something else. Sitting on the ground courtesy of an Air Lift Performance kit, it looked equal parts elegant and aggressive. The combination of an iconic American car with the turbo of a diesel engine sticking out under the hood is definitely something noteworthy.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of SEMA trucks, each one a masterpiece of creativity and craftsmanship. Each truck brought its own story to the table, and each one looked even more incredible against the stark, alien backdrop of the lake bed.

As perfect as the setting was, it wasn’t without its challenges. The cold in the morning was intense, but as soon as the sun rose, the temperature shifted dramatically. Within a few hours, we went from shivering and barely feeling our fingers to sweating in the unrelenting Las Vegas sun. Dressing for these conditions is tricky—you either freeze in the morning or roast by mid-afternoon. Even for a well seasoned northerner like myself, the morning was chilly.

But honestly, the pace of the day kept us from dwelling on the discomfort. There was no time to slow down. Tucker and Jon were in full creative mode, moving from one shot to the next with an energy that was contagious. Watching them work was a masterclass in photography. Their ability to find new angles and harness the light at just the right moment inspired me to push my own creativity, even with a borrowed Sony camera in hand.

As the day wound down and we packed up our gear, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This wasn’t just another shoot; it was a reminder of how lucky I am to do what I love. As Tucker, Jon, and I sat at Raisin Cane’s on the south side of Las Vegas after the shoot, I couldn’t help but reflect on this crazy journey I’ve been fortunate enough to call life.

I thought back to the 12-year-old version of myself, obsessed with trucks, pouring over magazines and dreaming about builds I’d never thought I’d see in person. Back then, the idea of the SEMA show and diesel trucks was insane. If you’d told that kid he’d one day be standing on a dry lake bed, capturing SEMA trucks at sunrise alongside some of the best in the business, he’d have laughed in disbelief.

The work is demanding, no doubt about it. It’s early mornings, long days, and a constant grind to capture the perfect shot. But when you’re out there, surrounded by some of the most incredible vehicles and creative people, it doesn’t feel like work at all.

This shoot was about more than just the trucks or the photos. It was about being part of something bigger—this incredible journey that has taken me to places I never thought I’d go and connected me with people who continue to inspire me. Every frame we captured that day felt like a small piece of a much larger story, one I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of.

As we drove back to Vegas, tired but exhilarated, I couldn’t stop thinking about the day. The Jean/Roach Dry Lake Beds are more than just a backdrop—they’re a place where creativity comes to life. Whether it’s the epic sunrise, the surreal landscape, or the energy of the people you’re with, there’s something special about this spot that stays with you long after you leave.

For me, that Saturday wasn’t just another day on the job. It was a reminder of why I fell in love with this work in the first place. And it left me with one simple thought: I can’t wait to do it all over again next year.