Then, I see the boats heading downstream.

Once boats are close enough to that the rock of Pillow, most, if not all guides, will scream, “SLAP THAT ROCK!”. In doing this, the weight in the boat shifts as guests attempt to slap the rock with their paddle blades. I learned that this is meant to help prevent the boat from flipping (high-siding), as well as give the infamous and iconic Pillow Slap photo.

So, I have to be set up to be prepared of getting the photo shot of guests slapping the rock. Last year, I was positioned on a big bolder on the opposite side. To get on it, I would use a ladder, and then rock climb with the aid of a rope to pull myself all the way up. If it was slippery, I would say a prayer before.

Timing the Shot

Pillow Rock is all about timing. The rapid is unpredictable—one second, the raft is in control, and the next, they’re hitting the pillow or plunging into the churning water just beyond it. Rafters often approach cautiously, and that’s when I get my camera ready. I would feel the anticipation, the excitment, and the nerves as they were inching closer to Pillow. I watch for the moment when the boat crests the first wave, the paddlers leaning in, eyes wide as they line up their approach, as soon as the boat is turning the corner, I pull my camera up.

The sweet spot for capturing Pillow Rock is just before they hit the pillow, when the anticipation is building, and everyone in the raft is bracing for impact. That moment of tension is where the best shots come from—the boat directly next to the rock, paddle blades on the rock, the guide mid-scream. Click, click, click.

But I can’t relax after that. Some of the best moments come after the raft hits the pillow, especially if they get thrown off course or slam into the rock. It could send them spiraling towards a rock that is directly in the middle of the rapid called Volkswagon rock. That’s when I can capture the raw expressions of shock, as some of the guest find themselves out of the boat.

Capturing the perfect shot at Woods Ferry, particularly around Julie’s Juicer, can be a thrilling challenge. Julie’s Juicer is notorious for flipping rafts with its powerful currents and unexpected drops. As a photographer, timing is everything, but the unpredictable nature of the rapid adds layers of difficulty.

One of the primary challenges is the sheer unpredictability of the rapid itself. Julie’s Juicer isn’t just a typical drop; it’s a chaotic convergence of water that can suddenly flip a raft, sending paddlers into the churning waves. You have to anticipate the moment when a raft hits the sweet spot—right before the flip or the inevitable surge of adrenaline on the faces of the rafters.

The most rewarding moment, though, is when I would nail it—when I would capture the precise instant the raft tips, the spray of water, the expressions of shock and thrill on the paddlers’ faces, and the raw power of Julie’s Juicer in full display. Every photographer understands that moment that you know is going to tell the story. It’s the shot that encapsulates the drama and excitement of whitewater rafting, a perfect blend of nature’s force and human resilience.

But getting that shot requires patience, quick reflexes, and a deep understanding of the rapid’s behavior. Each attempt teaches something new, whether it’s about timing, positioning, or adjusting to the environment. And each successful capture at Woods Ferry feels like a victory over the unpredictable, chaotic energy of Julie’s Juicer.