The Problem With Likes (Please Don’t Like This Unless You Read It!)

I have a problem with some LIKES. The ones that remove the "K" and are essentially LIES. Not malicious lies, but ones that don't reflect someone truly enjoying and valuing our work. See, where you get the LIKE matters. If I get a LIKE on this blog post, chances are this post was read. (And...

The Art of the Snapshot (We’re Still Making Them Today!)

A couple of friends over for a BBQ bumping elbows. I have a love for old snapshots. There's something special about those photos that aren't meant for the gallery wall, that aren't going to win awards, but are just simply destined for the photo album--the "open-the-pages-and-reminisce book" that we used to create all the time...

Making Family Photographs and Annie Leibovitz’s Way

There were many people online panning Annie Leibovitz's Master Class, saying she just talks a lot and doesn't give enough information about her process. I was gifted a year of Master Class from a friend and watched a few of the opening episodes and thought they were okay, but they didn't leave me wanting to...

Thankful in a Difficult Year

I'm thankful in a difficult year. Thankful for a good 2020 photographically despite a difficult world situation. Thankful for commercial & editorial client of many years as well as new ones connected with this year, even if the number of billable hours is way down, we're all struggling. Work is difficult right now. Thankful for...

How I Can Afford to Make The Wise Photo Project

I photographed Margaret, a lovely 98-year-old woman last week in my studio and will gift her a framed 12x12 portrait this week. How am I able to gift photo shoots and framed portraits at no cost to seniors in The Wise Photo Project? Easy, through commissioned portraits--when people commission a portrait, they know that the...

Finding The Joy, The Creativity That Stops Time

I had a photo shoot this week for Yellow Scene Magazine, a local Boulder news and feature magazine, and was sent to an artist collective that opened to support empowerment and creativity, and to photograph its two owners, Jessica and Jessie. It was very creative. When I began, I immediately had an idea for a...

I Was Once a Gunslinger

It was the Spring of 2004, I had just moved to Colorado in 2001 and was living in Canon City which sits just 12 miles from the famous Royal Gorge Bridge overlooking the Arkansas River turned into a theme park. At that time, there was a second attraction that sat next to the bridge--Buckskin Joe,...

Creating the Purposeful Photograph For Viewing

I set up the camera carefully. Take my time, find my view, then adjust it. Ever so slightly. A little more of this, a little less of that. What you leave out is just as important as what you leave in a photograph. You can see the whole process here. And it is a process....

So, You Want To Be a Famous Photographer, Do You? Do You?

I have a lot of respect for all kinds of photographers. Anyone who is making a living creating photographs is beating the odds--it's quite difficult to do these days. I was recently thinking about what kinds of photographers are the best known? Who can you name that is a famous photographers? I'd bet if asked,...

Shooting a Wedding on Film

"Wait, whaaaaaattt?" That doesn't sound like what you would expect nowadays with all the technology available, the Sony, the Canon, the Nikon. Have you seen the mirrorless? "Next you'll say you're not going to put them online." Yes, that would be my preference, to deliver you actual photographs printed and framed and in leather photo...