A Rainy, Romantic Getaway in the Badlands

Joe and Lilly have a thing for national parks. So when Joe finished his Doctorate of Physical Therapy (which is no small feat!), they knew exactly how they wanted to celebrate: a quick escape to South Dakota’s rugged corner of beauty, the Black Hills and Badlands National Park.

They planned for sunshine, of course. But instead, South Dakota handed them a moody, rain-soaked few days. Gloomy skies. Soft, persistent drizzle. The kind of weather that turns golden hills into watercolor paintings.

And honestly? It was perfect.

Our time in the Badlands felt like stepping into a storybook written in deep grays and soft blues. The dramatic clouds gave the landscape a cinematic feel and gave me the chance to photograph this place I love in a completely new way. Joe and Lilly wandered the ridges, laughed through wind gusts, and wrapped into each other like only people who know how to weather life together can.

If you’re planning a couples getaway to South Dakota or looking for a Badlands National Park photographer who embraces the unexpected, I’m here for it. Whether it’s sun-soaked or stormy, the Badlands never disappoint.