I have adjusted back to the cooler winter weather of PNW after a trip to Cuba last week. It was not a photo-specific trip, but I took a few photos and have thoughts to share about the overall experience, which I will put in a post on my website soon. It's not like any other place I have visited, in good and challenging ways.

This coming weekend is the annual Out of Chicago LIVE virtual conference. More details are below regarding this live experience. Sessions are not pre-recorded, you have a chance to interact with instructors and fellow photographers throughout the weekend!

My 2025 workshops are mostly filled; a few spots remain with links to them in this newsletter. Waitlists are available for all workshops once they are full; just click the button to sign up, and you will be asked if you want to be added to the waitlist.

Above Photo: During our spring 2024 Columbia Gorge workshop, one morning, we wrapped up the sunrise session and headed to breakfast. On the way, I saw the start of an intense rainbow coming through and was able to make a quick detour for our group to a spot I knew would give us a view. This is what we saw and photographed.

Out of Chicago LIVE!
February 7 to 9, 2025

This will be my third time presenting at Out of Chicago LIVE! I keep coming back because they are fun, and there really is no other event quite like it. This is the only event of its kind where you can learn from one of the largest groups of instructors ever assembled, hang out with photographers from around the world, and be a part of the Out of Chicago community. Whether it's virtual or in-person, Out of Chicago does a top-notch job coordinating and putting on conferences.

I am doing two new presentations this year. My main presentation is Photographs That Tell a Story, where I talk about what you can assume, photos that tell a story, and what helps one photo do that better than another. The many examples I share will be across genres, not just nature. Many I have yet to share, new and old. I will also cover aspects like titling our photos. My other session will be on Focus Stacking, which is part presentation and part processing. This is a good process to have in your photography toolbox. If you don't use it today, this session should be worthwhile.

If you are able to join us, I am excited to see you there! Even if you can't join us live, everyone signing up will get access to watch the recordings for 12 months.

2024 was so last year...

I didn't share either of these in my last newsletter of 2024 since they weren't published at the time. Even though we are a short way into 2025, I figured I would put them here for those who are interested.

​2024 Rewind Journal Post - My yearly recap, including many of my favorite photos. Additionally, my blog posts now have commenting enabled.

​Photo Cascadia Year in Photography - The annual Photo Cascadia highlight video.

Workshops and Webinars

The following workshops have only one opening each...

• ​Route 66 Tour - April 22-29, 2025 with David Cobb
• ​Central Oregon Coast - September 5-8, 2025 with Zack Schnepf
• ​Colors of Escalante - November 4-8, 2025 with Eric Bennett
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• Forest Photography - More will be included in my next newsletter, yet I am working on updates to my forest photography presentation for an upcoming nature series webinar on April 2.

Books, Videos, and Podcasts

What I am reading, watching, or listening to that I feel others might find of interest.

• ​The Beauty of the Netherlands by Albert Dros - I was fortunate to meet Albert a few years back when we taught at the same conference. Yet, even before then, I had admired his work, especially because I have fond memories of the Netherlands from my childhood trips that I could reflect on with his imagery. A combination of his talent and growing up there are on full display in this wonderful large, high-quality photography book.
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• ​The Devils Climb directed by Renan Ozturk - As if it's not enough to tackle an impossible climb, add a 2,500-mile bike ride to get there. Alex and Tommy are true outdoor adventurers with what they set out to endure. I don't consider myself lazy, but this kind of movie makes me feel like I am not active enough. I watched while riding my indoor bike.
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• ​The Darkest White by Eric Blehm - As someone who grew up snowboarding in the 80's and 90's, this was a must-read and turned out to be a good one. Craig Kelly was a big name to every boarder then. It chronicles the early history of snowboarding, Craig's interesting life, and the last third detailing the deadly and controversial 2003 avalanche that took his life and six others.

If you enjoy this newsletter, I would appreciate it if you share it with your family or friends. As always, thank you for your time and support!