The idea that a photo of "The Wave" on a guide could have served as an initial trigger for a trip to the southwestern United States is quite plausible and even common, because imagery has an undeniable attraction power to spark the desire to discover a place.
However, reducing the entirety of a first trip, especially the discovery of less known sites, to this visual inspiration alone ignores the logistical complexity of such journeys.
For example, one can be fascinated by an image but have to give up visiting "The Wave" due to the difficulty of obtaining a permit or strict budget constraints, then settling for more accessible attractions.
Inspiration is a starting point, never a complete roadmap.