Farmington Bay: A Place Worth Returning To
Where water, birds, and belonging come together.
Not every place becomes part of your story the moment you visit. Some return to you later — as a spark, a memory, or a turning point. For me, Farmington Bay wasn’t the beginning of my photography project, but it became the beginning of something even more important: the moment I knew I had to include Utah’s incredible waterbirds and deepen the project’s mission of conservation.
Three Visits, One Clear Message
My first visit was in July 2024, drawn by curiosity and a desire to explore a new wetland so close to the city. The second came in February 2025, a quiet, cold day filled with migrating birds and reflections that stayed with me long after I packed up my camera. And in June 2025, we returned again — not just to capture images, but to reconnect with the place that helped shape the vision behind everything we’ve built since.
A Project That Keeps Growing
Right now, I’m in the middle of reviewing a large batch of 2,683 images — not just from Farmington Bay, but from across Utah. Our personal archive now holds over 15,000 fully edited photographs, representing more than 50 lakes and reservoirs — and we still have over 100 left to explore.
Because every visit brings new wonder.
Every image is a tribute to our shared waters.
And every lake or reservoir reveals its own personality — some open for recreation, others protected for drinking water, but all vital to the ecosystem and the human spirit.
More Than a Marsh: A Hub for Conservation
Farmington Bay is more than a scenic stop — it’s a meeting place, a green lung in the middle of the Wasatch Front. It’s also home to the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center, where a dedicated team works to protect local habitats and educate visitors through exhibits, guided walks, and school outreach. Their work reminds me that photography alone isn’t enough — we must also teach, share, and advocate.
Why This Project Matters
I often say this is the best project I’ve ever committed to — not because of the photos, but because of what it gives back. When I stand near the water and hear the wind, the birds, the hush of the reeds… I feel renewed.
That’s the feeling I want to share — with every photo, every story, and every classroom that might one day use this work to inspire the next generation of stewards.
Where Do You Feel Renewed?
Is there a place that brings you peace? That calls you back — again and again?
I’d love to hear your story.
And if you’d like to see what we’ve created so far from Farmington Bay and beyond, click here to view our metal print collection. Every piece is part of something larger — a journey to celebrate and protect Utah’s waters.