It's been a couple of months since the last newsletter, and I am excited to share a number of updates now that 2024 is in full swing, including a new conference and workshop. Details are below!

As the new year started I had wondered when winter was going to show up in the west. The local mountain was hardly open for winter recreation, with the slowest start in over three decades. We took a family trip to Montana during winter break, which wasn't any better. One day of mediocre conditions on partly open ski slopes. We even did a hike on a trail that should have been buried in snow. Instead, the trail was fully navigable. Fortunately, the weather changed for the better shortly into the new year.

As I send this newsletter off, we are in an arctic blast that included feet of new snow last week in the mountains with plenty of cold and ice locally. This included venturing out into the wind-whipped icy cold for a little photography to see what blustery sub-zero temps do to water. I surely hope the cold precipitation doesn't leave the party early this winter. We have a snowpack to replenish.

Back in Montana, while it was a family trip, bringing my camera was a wise choice even if it didn't come out of the bag much. No snow made for interesting scenes when freezing fog settled in for several days, turning parts of the landscape into a winter wonderland with muted colors peeking through. Above is one of the scenes we came across.

Out of Chicago LIVE 2024!

For the second year in a row, I have been invited to speak at Out of Chicago LIVE! If you haven't attended in the past, you will be signing up for a fun and learning-filled 3-day day virtual conference like nothing else, and if you have attended before you know what awaits you. With 50+ speakers and over 100 different sessions, there will be something for everyone! Check out the 45-page session guide with all the details. Even if you cannot attend live, everyone signing up will have access to view all sessions for 12 months.

I will also be hosting an evening photo-related trivia party with my good friend Michael Bollino, and we will also be leading a landscape-themed image review session. These are just a few of the many opportunities to interact, learn, and have fun at this conference.

Creating Better Prints Workshop

Based on the feedback we received from participants and how much we enjoy the topic, Zack Schnepf and I are bringing back the Creating Better Prints Workshop in November 2024 onsite at HD Aluminum Prints! This small group hands-on workshop is now available for signup, visit online for more info.

2024 BNWP Workshops

Limited openings are available for the 2024 Best of the Northwest Photography Workshops, including a list of talented co-leaders joining me. These are 80% full as of this writing. Check out the website for more details and to sign up.

Quick Workshop Survey

Over the last year, I have heard from some of you during workshops mention suggestions on where you would like to go in the future. I have a number of workshops and tours in the early phase of planning, yet I can't offer them all in the near term. Unlike most brief surveys that say you are only 30% complete after the first 15 questions, this three-question survey is truly brief yet might help me with what to offer over the next few years.

Photo Cascadia 2023 Video

For over a decade now, the Photo Cascadia team has published a year-end video showing some of our favorite photos and many behind-the-scenes views of where we traveled and what we did. Thanks again to the expert video editing skills of Erin Babnik; we have one for 2023. I am fortunate to have these peeps as good friends. Always inspiring. Enjoy!

​

New Journal Entries

Between the photo of the week and closing out the year with a photo rewind, I have been busy writing and sharing on the journal page of my website more than in the past.

2023 Photo Rewind You can just view the photos or read my personal story, making positive progress on a health challenge. Read Year End Journal

Photo of the Week Sharing a photo and insight into the story behind it, with thoughts on how I went about processing. See All POTW Journals

Books, Videos, and Podcasts

What I am reading, watching, or listening to that I feel others might find value in.

• ​Art & Fear by David Bayles, Ted Orland - First read 10+ years ago, and I reread recently. A staple for any artist's bookshelf.
• ​Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman - Not your average time management read, healthy perspective for living life.
• ​Doomed North Korean Novelist by The Guardian - A reminder of the artistic freedom those of us are fortunate to have.
• ​Ghosts on the Glacier by NY Times - The discovery of an almost 50-year-old camera and exposed film entombed in ice on Aconcagua.
• ​Good Person directed by Zack Braff - Emotionally gripping with grief, guilt, addiction, and forgiveness. Very well done. ​

If you enjoy this newsletter, feel free to share it with your family or friends. As always, thank you for your time and support!