In December 2025 a good friend and I ventured into the waters around Papua New Guinea and also took a foray inland to photograph colorful tribes.
In places like Stetin Bay, the water is remarkably clear, revealing steep reef walls, sponges, and schools of barracuda cruising past. The biodiversity is staggering. Coral gardens here are largely untouched, bursting with healthy hard corals and clouds of small fish.
Enjoy the photos, and have a great weekend!
After a lifetime spent chasing light across the globe, I’ve come to appreciate something surprising: some of the most meaningful photographic experiences are waiting right here at home. The U.S. still finds ways to catch me off guard, and I’m always looking for fresh ways to see familiar places. Over the coming year, I’ll be returning to a small collection of landscapes I know deeply. Each one offering its own creative challenges, rewards, and of course excellent company.
We’ll begin in Katmai, Alaska, where only two spots remain for what is, quite simply, the ultimate bear experience. Massive coastal brown bears, intimate encounters, and constant photographic opportunity make this trip raw, exhilarating, and unforgettable. If one thing nudges you toward Katmai, let it be this: there is nothing else quite like it. Closer to home, the Olympic Peninsula delivers lush rainforests, wild coastline, and gentle spring light that invitesslow, thoughtful composition. Mount Rainier is all about scale and atmosphere and is an ideal classroom for refining your approach to foregrounds and dramatic landscapes. In the Columbia River Gorge, we’ll turn toward abstraction, focusing on motion, color, and form. That creative thread continues in Astoria, Oregon, a playful mix of fog, boats, bridges, textures, and graphic surprises. This trip always sells out quickly, and with just two spots left, now’s the time to claim yours.
For those looking to travel outside the U.S., there are two standout international journeys coming up as well. In Morocco, we’ll explore dramatic desert landscapes, and vibrant markets. It’s an endlessly rich mix of culture, color, and texture that feels both exotic and welcoming. Later in the season, New Zealand offers a completely different experience: autumn color across the South Island, with glacier-carved peaks, misty fiords, and some of the most photogenic landscapes on the planet. As with all these trips, the focus goes beyond destination. it’s about learning how to see, sharing the experience with curious and passionate photographers, and creating in an environment where the pressure is low and the inspiration is high. Wherever you choose to join us, I hope to see you out there in the field!
Recently, Seattle lost one of its greats. Ann Wyckoff passed away at the remarkable age of 98, and it’s hard not to smile when thinking about the life she lived. Ann had a deep love for adventure and an unmistakable verve for life that she passed on to her children and everyone lucky enough to know her.
I crossed paths with her family in 1980 when I climbed Kilimanjaro with her daughter Martha. A few years later, in 1984, Ann joined our Ultima Thule Everest Expedition, spending a week with us in Lhasa, Tibet. The food there was pretty awful, but Ann had thoughtfully brought along a stash of pickled vegetables. They were fantastic, and somehow perfectly summed her up: prepared and generous. Funny what sticks with you after all these years, isn’t it? She will be deeply missed.
I’m excited to be the Keynote speaker for this year’s Nepal Spine Foundation fundraiser! This event will take place at the beautiful and exclusive Rainer Club in downtown Seattle on February 7th.
The Nepal Spine Foundation Fundraising Dinner and Auction supports our mission to advance spine care and neurosurgical education in Nepal through our partnership with Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
I’ll be giving a keynote speech that includes a slide show of recent work, and I’ll be joined by renowned alpinist and featured guest Graham Zimmerman.
Kick off the evening with a relaxed cocktail hour where you can grab a drink, enjoy appetizers, and catch up with friends while browsing our silent auction and Wine Toss. Afterward, you’ll move into the Cutter Room for a seated dinner created by the Rainier Club chef, with flavors inspired by traditional Nepali cuisine. It’s a great chance to settle in, enjoy something truly special, and soak in the atmosphere—VIP tables will be right up front for the night’s program.
The main event brings it all together with a warm welcome from the Nepal Spine Foundation’s co-founders, live traditional music from local Nepalese performers, and of course, Graham and myself.
Whether you come as part of a table or snag an individual seat, it’s shaping up to be an inspiring, fun, and meaningful night. Tables and individual tickets are available, along with sponsorship opportunities for those who want to support the cause even more.
I hope to see you there!
