When Jocelyn rolled into her senior session in Hays, we made it a full Hays tour. We worked downtown brick walls for an editorial-magazine vibe, hit Fort Hays State for fountains, archways, and a hidden bridge in the green, then closed at Frontier Park where she stood on stones in the middle of the creek with trees and water all around her.

Spring is hitting that perfect stride right now, the weather is mild, the colors are popping, and everything just feels fresh and alive. It is one of the easiest times of year to get clean, vibrant images without fighting harsh light or extreme temps. Now is the perfect time to get in on the colors, but my calendar fills fast heading into late spring and summer, so if you are thinking about photos at all this year, it is a good time to lock something in.

Sometimes the best kind of road trip is the one with no real destination. Lyla and I set out just wanting to get out of the house, listen to some good music, and see where the road took us. What started as a simple drive turned into a fun little Kansas adventure, taking us through Hays, Ks, Russell, Ks, and a few other small towns along the way as we kept our eyes open for anything interesting enough to stop and photograph.

The day after Easter, my daughter Lyla was out of school for the holiday, and the weather was too good to waste. It was warm and just about perfect for getting out of town for a while, so we hopped in the car and headed toward Wilson Lake near Sylvan Grove, Kansas.

Not long after we got there, the clouds started rolling in and changed the whole mood of the afternoon. What started off bright and open turned softer, darker, and a little more dramatic in the best way. We drove up on Wilson Dam first to take in the views, then spent the rest of the time following the winding roads that circle the lake. It felt like one of those drives where the scenery keeps shifting just enough to hold your attention, and the changing light made everything feel even more cinematic.

There’s a routine I’ve come to value because it keeps my eye sharp and keeps me creatively engaged. After I drop my daughter off at school, I like to spend the first hour or so of my day driving around Great Bend, nearby towns, and the backroads in between, simply paying attention to what stands out. It gives me a chance to step away from the daily noise for a bit and settle into a quieter, more grounded place.

Campain Photos for Craig Musser.

On March 23, 2026 Craig Musser formally announces his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives representing Kansas’s First Congressional District. Running under the banner of the United Kansas Party, Musser enters the race with a commitment to principled service for the good of all Kansans.