Claiming that a simple photo of "The Wave" on a guidebook cover standardized an entire trip is magical thinking, not effective planning.
A photo can give the initial idea, but for the trip to go well and allow off-the-beaten-path discoveries, a lot of work beforehand is necessary: hours of research, early reservations, and solid logistics.
Without good preparation, this inspiration will be worth nothing against real terrain challenges, like finding accommodation at the last minute or changing the itinerary due to a road closure.
To get a real return on investment in terms of experience, one must anticipate problems and have Plan Bs, not just a pretty visual.
The mitigation of unforeseen events is achieved through rigor, not poetry.