Though many of my upcoming U.S. workshops are sold out, there are still spaces available on plenty of other fantastic photography retreats and workshops to join me on! Kicking off in August, I’ll be hosting a Creative Sessions workshop in the Seattle area that starts with an evening of wine, bites and a presentation at my home in West Seattle and ends with an informative critique covering the subjects from our lectures and field sessions. Jump on that one now and save a bit, as it’s on sale through Memorial Day Weekend!
After that, only one space remains for our annual adventure to Katmai, Alaska to photograph bears, and two spots remain for our California Coast retreat where we will capture the landscape at large as well as abstracts and the wildlife that inhabits the sea shore.
When autumn rolls around and the leaves begin to change, It’s a fantastic time to photograph on the West Coast. Workshops in Colorado, the Olympic Peninsula, and Sedona round out what should be an incredible year. Finally, if you’re already looking for something in 2026 I’ll be returning to Astoria to teach and capture abstract images in the oldest U.S. city on the pacific coast.
I hope to see you in one or multiple workshops this year and next!
“What I see vs. what I take” is a trend online among photographers to show how they find interesting subjects in otherwise uninteresting busy shots that lack a focus. It just so happens that this very idea is the concept behind the opening discussion of the Pathways to Creativity series I released a few years ago when I was at home during the pandemic.
Someone recently asked me to name five intrinsically funny animals off the top of my head, and I thought it would make for a fun Friday blog post to keep things light heading into the weekend. Leave a comment below if you have a favorite from the list, or have your own suggestion – I’d love to hear it and dive into my files to see if I have any photos of your suggestions for a future post!
These tiny primates are adorable but also kind of silly looking with their big eyes and spindly fingers. They grow to be only a maximum of about 6 inches in length, and top out at about 5 ounces in weight.
It’s usually funny to see a giant version of something you identify with as being relatively small, and the world’s largest rodent is no exception. Look at mom’s snoot! These Rodents grow to be well over 4 feet long and can weigh from 75 to 140 pounds or more.
Guanacos are a member of the camel family, located in the South American wilds. Their loping strides, long necks and camel faces somehow manage to be both graceful and hilarious – like something straight out of a Dr. Suess book. Fun fact – due to living in altitudes up to 2.5 miles above sea level, guanaco’s red blood cell count is up to 4 times more than those of humans.
A goofy bird with a goofy name – what a combo! Not to mention the fact that they also happen to be beautifully colored birds that are a joy to photograph. Their blue feet are a product of their diet, and males display them proudly in an effort to attract a mate.
The reason these guys are so funny is written all over their faces. Human-like expressions with exaggerated features combined with their interest in the camera lens makes them an obvious choice for the top spot! They are most often found in groups of 25 or more, so if you find one, you’re bound to have a whole grinning family to photograph.
Don’t forget to leave a comment below if you have a favorite animal that puts a smile on your face!
This year I was honored to be awarded The Mountaineers Adventure with Purpose award. The Mountaineers is a long-standing organization who’s purpose is to connect people to the natural world as well as to one and other, and to enjoy nature while also striving to protect it.
On April 26th, I was presented with the award at The Mountaineers annual gala, and epic evening of friends, food, and an incredible fundraising auction. More than $585,000 was raised for initiatives across branches and activities, including nonprofit publishing, adult programming, youth outreach, scholarships, volunteer leadership development, conservation advocacy, and more.
I was also pleased to meet fellow VIP guest Sasha DiGiulian. Sasha is a United Nations Mountain Partnerships Ambassador, prolific climber and powerful advocate for defending our natural world.
It was a fantastic evening at Fremont Studios here in Seattle. Their technology made for an incredible presentation, and the Mountaineers organizers did an amazing job providing such a unique and enchanting evening for everyone involved. I met several fans and was happy to share an evening with them and sign books. It was revitalizing after a busy 2025 travel schedule.
You can view a video of the Gala here. For more information about The Mountaineers, the Gala, and more photos from the evening, click the links below!
Bhutan was likely the final chance for me to photograph for my upcoming book on international spirituality and religion, Acts of Faith. I photographed the Tshechu Buddhist Festival and the Dance of the Black Hats many years ago, and it was incredible to go back there with the latest technology and my widest of wide angle lenses to ensure I could capture the colorful dancers front and center while also getting down low to capture the ancient architecture of the Rinpung Dzong monastery.
The Dance of the Black Hats is one of many dances that take place during this annual festival. In many cases, dancers wear terrifying masks to ward off evil spirits. The people here are incredibly friendly, as they are part of a national culture that embraces mindfulness and harmony within their community.
Enjoy the photos – and join me on my next adventure. There are still a couple spaces left to join us in Vietnam at the end of May!
