As photographers, we often chase the shot — the perfect composition, the ideal light, the exact frame we've envisioned. But sometimes, the universe has other plans — and they turn out better than we could’ve imagined.

This photo is one of my all-time favorites from the Incredicoaster (formerly known as California Screamin’), a roller coaster I’ve photographed dozens of times from the unique vantage point of being a passenger onboard.

In it's California Screamin' days, I made the classic rookie move — always asking for the front row. It’s the ultimate seat for thrill-seekers and great for video, but for still photography? Not so much. The photos often felt flat — no sense of context or story. Without other people in the frame, the viewer couldn’t feel the rush or imagine themselves along for the ride.

So I adjusted.

I began asking for row 11, the second-to-last row on the train. The segmenting of the train into six two-row cars places a bit more space between row 11 and row 10 in front of it, compared to the cramped gap between row 12 and row 11. That extra gap? Perfect for using longer lenses and framing the people ahead of me — adding storytelling and emotion to the image.

But on this particular day, I wasn’t chasing a specific shot. I decided to let serendipity take the wheel and told myself I’d ride wherever I was assigned.

The Cast Member pointed me to row 3. My heart sank a bit. That’s way too far forward for the kind of framing I normally look for. It’s the front row of the second car — only one car with two rows ahead of me. I figured I’d enjoy the ride and maybe walk away with a couple forgettable shots.

I boarded, secured my gear, and braced for launch.

That’s when the unexpected magic happened.

The four folks sitting in rows 1 and 2 — total strangers to me — all threw their hands in the air as the ride slowly rolled into the launch position. And not just for a second — I had a feeling they were going to do that for the entire ride. This was going to be an opportunity I didn't want to miss.

I could barely contain my excitement. As we approached the launch, I double-checked my settings. The countdown began: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1… We were off.

As the train roared down the track and climbed up into the approach for the loop, I saw the perfect moment framing itself before me: outstretched hands, the twist of track, and the loop dead ahead. I fired shot after shot, knowing something special was happening.

No time to check the screen — just keep shooting and hope for the best, there was still more of the ride to shoot with this rare opportunity.

After we flew past the ride’s official ride photo cameras in the final moments of speed and started the slow return to the station, I finally had a chance to scroll through the shots. And there it was — the photo I hadn’t planned for… but will never forget.

This one image captured the essence of what makes roller coasters (and photography) magical: shared joy, momentum, unpredictability, and total presence in the moment.

And I never would’ve captured it if I’d stuck to my “usual plan.”

Sometimes the best photos are the ones we didn’t plan. Sometimes the perfect seat… is the one you didn’t pick.

If you love photography — even if you're just getting started and using your phone — I’d love to share more of these kinds of tips with you.

👉 Download my FREE eBook with my top 3 photography tips for amazing theme park photos at FairyTalePhotoAcademy.com and start capturing magical moments you’ll actually want to print, share, and relive forever.