Every business has a story—but Falling Rocks Photography has one that started long before I ever picked up a camera.
The name comes from a story my mom told me about her childhood. She was a military brat who traveled all over the world, and during their long road trips through mountain roads, she always noticed signs that read: “Watch for Falling Rocks.”
Being a curious little kid, she once asked her dad what the signs meant. Instead of explaining the not-so-magical truth about rocks falling from cliffs, he told her a story: the signs were reminders to watch for Falling Rocks—a princess who loved the mountains and sometimes showed herself to travelers passing through.
That sweet, imaginative story stuck with my mom her whole life. It became one of her favorite memories—and now it’s part of my photography business. (If you look closely, you’ll even spot a little princess in my logo 👑).
A Legacy of Love, Loss, and Photographs
They say you lose the good ones too soon, and man, was that true when it came to my mom. She passed away from cancer when I was 22. It was the first major loss I ever experienced, and it hit hard.
Grief is overwhelming—the emotions, the endless to-dos, the silence that follows when everything stops. But during that time, one thing kept bringing me comfort: photos. Seeing her smile, her laugh, the light in her eyes—it made her feel close again, even for just a moment.
My mom loved taking photos—not in a “mom influencer” way (that wasn’t even a thing yet!)—but in a “let’s capture these memories before they fade” kind of way. We always had disposable cameras lying around the house, and picking up prints from the drugstore after a trip was a ritual.
So when I decided to become a photographer in Las Vegas and Boulder City, I knew a piece of her had to live on in it somehow. Once I thought of the name Falling Rocks Photography, I couldn’t let it go. It felt like her—playful, heartfelt, full of stories.
Why I Do What I Do
Trust me, I know life can get really… (excuse my language) shitty sometimes. But it also has these beautiful, crazy, fun, and fleeting moments that deserve to be remembered. That’s what photography is all about for me—capturing the real, raw, and meaningful moments that tell your story.
Because you never know who might be looking back on those photos one day, finding comfort, joy, and connection—just like I did.
A Few Things My Mom Loved ❤️
Here are a few of the things that made her, her:
🏈 OU Football – She loved all football, but OU was her team. She always said college players had more to prove. I never quite caught her passion for it, and she used to joke, “Where did I go wrong?” to which I’d tease back, “You loved it too much, Mom.”
🎸 AC/DC – Her ringtone for years was “You Shook Me All Night Long” (remember when people actually boughtringtones?).
📚 Books & Movies – Fun fact: my mom was a divorce lawyer for most of my childhood, but she always wanted to be a librarian… and she made it happen. She worked at the Searchlight and Boulder City Libraries and even started Becca’s Book Club, which still warms my heart.
🌷 Gardening – That woman had the greenest thumb. Every inch of her garden bloomed with color. (Sadly, that skill didn’t quite pass down to me.)
🪶 Our Cherokee Heritage – After she passed, I learned she did a lot of pro bono work for the Native American community. Discovering that made me even prouder to be her daughter.
And one of her favorite sayings that’s stuck with me to this day:
“Sometimes you’re playing dodgeball with life, but the game can’t last forever.”
Life will keep throwing things your way—but the game ends eventually. You just have to hang in there.
Keeping Her Spirit Alive
Every time I photograph a couple laughing during a session, a family sharing a hug, or someone just being their authentic self—I think of my mom. She believed in finding beauty, humor, and strength even in the hardest moments.
That’s what Falling Rocks Photography is all about: preserving real moments, honoring the people who shape us, and telling stories that last long after we’re gone.
If you’re in Las Vegas or Boulder City and want photos that feel real, warm, and meaningful, I’d love to capture them for you.
Thank You for Reading 🤍
If you’ve made it this far, thank you—from the bottom of my heart—for taking the time to read this and learn a little more about the story behind Falling Rocks Photography.
Sharing pieces of my mom with the world means everything to me. Every time I get to talk about her, I feel like she’s still a part of what I’m building—and that’s such a gift.
If you’re going through grief, loss, or any kind of hard season, please know you’re not alone. I’m sending you love, strength, and a reminder (straight from my mom): the game can’t last forever. Hang in there—you’ve got this.
With love, Annie
📸 Falling Rocks Photography – created with heart, inspired by love, rooted in memories.
