The Weekender Tucson

Tucson is a place of balance and contrast: stillness and energy; roots and heritage mixed with modern visionaries; the strength of the sunlight throwing shadows into starker relief. This volume offers a visual narrative unfolding over four days wandering through the city. Begin in the bright alleys of Barrio Viejo, following photographer Erica Connolly through secret doors set in whitewashed walls and wander into the eclectic historic charm of Fourth Avenue, with its colorful murals and charming, old-fashioned stores. The rhythm of the city is traced by the fleeting blooms of saguaro cacti and succulents in desert gardens, and lines of modern architecture rising beside centuries-old earthy brown adobe traditional structures. Mesquite smoke curls into the evening air as the sun goes down; the desert sky deepens and stars flood the horizon. With its culinary heritage recognized as the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, Tucson delights every one of the five senses.

Erica is a Dallas-based travel, editorial, and portrait photographer who crafts visual narratives with warmth and authenticity. Her specialties span editorial photography, branding and portraits, commercial campaigns, boutique group trip documentation and fine art prints—each created with an eye for storytelling and connection. Influenced by her love of exploration and a curiosity for culture, her imagery often conveys a sense of place—where geography, architecture, and light intertwine with the stories of the people who inhabit them. Clients and collaborators are drawn not only to her technical skill but also to the warmth she brings to each collaboration.