Wailua Falls - Kauai
Photographing Kauai 2019

Photographing Kauai Part 8 – Wailua Falls and Opaeka‘a Falls

For Shelley and I’s last evening on the island of Kauai, we spent it photographing two of the island’s iconic waterfall locations, Wailua Falls and Opaeka’a Falls. You can easily photograph these waterfall locations can from the road. Wailua Falls – Kauai If you search the Internet, you’ll find that Wailua Falls used to have […]

Brennecke's Beach
Photographing Kauai 2019

Photographing Kauai Part 2 – Poipu Beach

After a day of exploring Kauai for photographic compositions, Shelley and I settled on Poipu for photographing the setting sun.

Some nights sit you with your camera pointed at a composition. The waves are right. There are just enough clouds in the sky with your frame. The breeze cools you as you watch the setting sun. And at the last moment, as the sun is sinking closer to the horizon, you realize that another cloud bank as cut off the light that is needed for the sky to ignite in your carefully composed photograph. Then you just sit there watching the waves and setting sun. Take in a deep breath and think to yourself what a beautiful day.

The Business

2020 May Newsletter and Update

Over the past few weeks, I have seen, read, and heard a lot of uncertainty about art shows and festivals all over the United States. Artists are questioning how we can proceed with shows under the requirement of social distancing requirements. Health experts are now indicating that we will need to following social distancing guidelines […]

Photographing Arizona Part 15 – Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 15 – Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

For our last day of the trip, Shelley and I decided to visit Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. This National Monument is located south-east of Phoenix. Ruins – Casa Grande Ruins National Monument I knew that I wanted a photograph of the “Great House” as well, but there were far too many people walking around […]

Old Faithful - Petrified Forest National Park
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 14 – Petrified Forest National Park

Shelley and I left Phoenix well before sunrise for our return to Petrified Forest National Park. We had decided late in the evening after arriving in Phoenix that we head back to the Park and spend the full day there. Stones and Clouds – Petrified Forest National Park Shelley and I walked started our day […]

Photographing Arizona Part 13 – The Painted Desert – Petrified Forest National Park
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 13 – The Painted Desert – Petrified Forest National Park

Shelley and I left Walnut Canyon National Monument for the Painted Desert entrance to Petrified Forest National Park. The original plan was to spend most of the afternoon scouting the Park for locations for our next trip to Arizona. This was based on feed and information that we had received friends and family members who […]

Twisted - Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 11 – Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

for my final composition at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. I happened upon this twisted dead tree. That was laying on its side right next to the trail. I loved the shadows that it was casting on the ground. It did not hurt that the tree had multiple twists and turns to it. I sit down on the ground close enough to fill the frame with my wide-angle zoom lens. For this composition, I also wanted to slow down the clouds in the sky. I made this photograph with my Nikon D600 at ISO 100, 14mm, f/11, and 10 seconds.

Photographing Arizona Part 10 – Wukoki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 10 – Wukoki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument

Shelley and I arrived back at Wupatki National Monument in the evening to photograph the Wukoki ruins. After spending the bulk of the day at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument we drove north on 395 to make the righthand turn onto the paved road that leads to the Wukoki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument. We’ll […]

Photographing Arizona Part 9 – Wupatki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 9 – Wupatki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument

Shelley and I returned to Wupatki National Monument after eating a late lunch in Flagstaff. This time we head straight to the visitors center and the Wupatki ruins. We were hoping to have enough time to photograph the main ruins and Wukoki ruins prior to sunset. Upon our return, the winds had picked up and […]

Photographing Arizona Part 8 – Lomaki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 8 – Lomaki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument

The Lomaki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument were the first ruins that Shelley and I visited. Originally we were going to drive through the Wupatki National Monument on our way from Page to Flagstaff. After seeing the Lomaki Ruins this all changed. Shelley and I turned off of US 89 into Wupatki National Monument south […]

Photographing Arizona Part 6 – Lake Powell Overlook
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 6 – Lake Powell Overlook

Lake Powell was a location that I scouted digital from Google maps, 500px, and over photo-sharing services prior to our trip. I was looking location that would offer wide vistas and the possibility of epic sunrise. Morning landscape photography sessions are my favorite. The world is new and fresh. Every morning brings new possibilities with […]

Twisted - Moran Point Grand Canyon National Park
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 2 – Grandview Point and Moran Point at the Grand Canyon

For Shelley and I’s first stop of the morning, we were headed to Grandview point. I find that when photographing a location that is as popular as the Grand Canyon that I am drawn to compositions that are overlooked. Compositions that most of the visitors simply walk past on their way to the grand vistas. […]

Near Shoshone Point
Photographing Arizona 2019

Photographing Arizona Part 1 – Shoshone Point at the Grand Canyon

Shelley and I arrived at Shoshone Point believing that we had hiked all of the way to Yaki Point. We wandered around looking for possible sunset compositions. The problem that we incurred was with the layers of clouds as they were we would most likely not get enough direct sunlight for sunset. With this in mind, I settled on a composition that included a gnarly tree clinging to the edge of the canyon.

Devils Churn - Cape Perpetua
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018 | Road Trips

Top 5 Pacific Northwest Coast Locations to Spend More Time At

While I loved the opportunity to photograph at all of the locations that Shelley and I stopped at on this epic road trip. These are my top 5 Pacific Northwest Coast Locations to spend more time at. Cape Perpetua Cape Perpetua is more than just the seashore. From my trip research, I knew that there […]

A Sense of Scale - Redwoods National and State Parks
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018 | Road Trips

Photographing the Pacific Northwest Coast – My Top 10 Takeaways

With every trip that Shelley and I take, I always learn something new. Our Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip was no exception. While I was performing my normal pre-trip research I built a list of places that I wanted to photograph. I then planned out the route according to those places and took into account […]

Golden Gate Bridge from Moore Road
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 20 – San Francisco and Point Bonita Lighthouse

Shelley and I had a few days at the end of our trip to spend in and around San Francisco. We arrived north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the afternoon of the day that we left Point Reyes. Point Bonita Lighthouse 2018 The Point Bonita Lighthouse is located in the Golden Gate National Recreation […]

When a Tree Falls in the Forest - Redwoods National and State Parks
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 16 – Redwoods National and State Parks

One day is not even enough time to begin to scratch the surface of this place. Remember that this was a trip that I knew in advance would be like a scouting expedition. Shelley and I will pick a road trip and research things to see and do along the trip. We then take the journey with the understanding that we will not have enough time in most places to see everything that we would like to. Think of it as a “let’s see what is out there to see trip.” It’s a trip that we take to determine what places we’d like to go back to next time and spend more time at. One could easily spend a lifetime exploring Redwoods and might not see everything that there is to see. I, for one, would love to spend a few weeks exploring the “forest moon of Endor”.

Part 15 – Bandon State Park
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018 | Uncategorized

Part 15 – Bandon State Park

Shelley and I arrived at Bandon State Park before sunset after spending time at the Coquille River Lighthouse. The weather had turned within the last few miles since leaving the lighthouse. The skies were mostly overcast, and it had started to rain. Also, the winds had picked up. Bandon State Park is mainly known for Face Rock and the small collection of sea stacks that dot the coastline.

Part 14 – Umpqua Lighthouse and Coquille River Lighthouse
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 14 – Umpqua Lighthouse and Coquille River Lighthouse

Umpqua Lighthouse Umpqua Lighthouse is off of highway 101 and is still an active Coast Guard duty lighthouse.  This being the case, there are barracks on either side of the lighthouse making it rather interesting to get a composition. Shelley and I pulled into the parking area across from the lighthouse.  I pulled out my […]

Thors Well - Cape Perpetua Area
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 12 – Cape Perpetua

The Cape Perpetua area is a photographer’s dream. The seascapes alone are worth the trip. The main thing to keep in mind is to plan your day around the tides. If you do not plan the trip along the tides then you will be disappointed in the outcome. I love photographing here right around high tide and with some wind. This being said, you need to be mindful of the wave action and how the wind will impact the area. While these conditions lend themselves to the best photographic opportunities, they also come with the highest chances of losing your footing and being swept out to sea. I cannot stress enough the importance of proper footwear at this beautiful location.

Part 11 – Devils Punchbowl and Yaquina Head
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 11 – Devils Punchbowl and Yaquina Head

The night before Shelley and I drove from Cape Kiwanda to the south of Yachats, Oregon, passing by Devil’s Punchbowl and Yaquina Head.  We intended to drive back to the north the next morning to Devils Punchbowl and then south again to see Yaquina Head.  This went as planned.  Weather, on the other hand, did […]

Sunset at Cape Kiwanda
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 10 – Cape Meares Lighthouse and Cape Kiwanda in Passing

Next, Shelley and I headed down the coast along US-101 to Tillamook, Oregon.  At Tillamook,  we left US-101 as it heads inland and away from the coast for serval miles.  Our first stop off of the old Federal road was to be Cape Meares Lighthouse followed by Cape Kiwanda, before driving just past Yachats, Oregon […]

Part 9 – Cannon Beach Haystack Rock & Ecola State Park, Oregon
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 9 – Cannon Beach Haystack Rock & Ecola State Park, Oregon

An interesting fact that I learned while Shelley and I were on this trip is that multiple sea stacks are named Haystack Rock along the Oregon coast.  The most recognized is the Haystack Rock that was used in the movie Goonies.  This Haystack Rock is found on Cannon Beach.  Shelley and I visited another Haystack […]

Part 8 – Fort Stevens State Park Oregon
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 8 – Fort Stevens State Park Oregon

The Wreck of the Peter Iredale The wreck of the Peter Iredale can be found within Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria Oregon.  The ship ran aground on October 25, 1906, as her captain attempted to enter the mouth of the Columbia River during a storm.  The shipwreck has drawn endless numbers of photographers to […]

Part 7 – Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 7 – Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington

Through Shelley and I’s travels, few places have lived up to the name.  Cape Disappointment is one of the places that I feel did so.  I have seen images online of the lighthouse and the surrounding area, and I know that it is photogenic, when presented with the right weather conditions.  On the day that […]

Part 5 – Hoh Rainforest – Olympic National Park
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018 | Uncategorized

Part 5 – Hoh Rainforest – Olympic National Park

On the day that Shelley and I made it to the Hoh Rainforest, it lived up to its name.  The trees were glistening from the on-and-off showers. Rain gear was a must for our excursion into the forest. The best tip that I have for photographing in the rain is to carry a large microfiber […]

Part 4 – Waterfalls of Olympic National Park
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 4 – Waterfalls of Olympic National Park

In the last blog, I talked about the morning and evening of day one in Olympic National Park.  This installment, we will be exploring some of the waterfalls in the National Park. Starting with Madison Falls.  Madison Falls After arriving in the small parking lot for multiple trailheads Shelley and I walked a winding trail […]

Last Year at the Summit Art Festival
Fine Art

Summit Art Festival 2019

Summit Art Festival 2019 kicks off this Friday, October 11th, at 4 pm. This festival represents the end of the art fair season for me and the beginning of the work finalize pieces for next year. I work very hard to make sure that my display is different from year-to-year. This year I will be […]

Olympia Washington State Capital #3
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Part 2 – Olympia Washington in Passing

So, here is a little insight into me as a photographer and person. I love visiting State Capitol buildings so much that I will go out of my way to see one that I have never seen before. This being my first time in the State of Washington and knowing that Olympia Washington was slightly out of the way from Seattle to Forks, I had to take the side trip.

Downtown Seattle from Kerry Park
Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip 2018

Pacific Northwest Coast Road Trip Part 01 – Seattle

Introduction Welcome to part 1 of a 20 part series where I will discuss the photographic process and photography opportunities that Shelley and I had on our trip from Seattle to San Francisco along the Pacific coast in 2018.  This trip gave us insight has to where we would love to go back to and […]

2018 Art Westport
Fine Art

2019 Art Westport

2019 Art Westport kicks of tomorrow afternoon and this weekend will mark it’s 40th anniversary.  Art Westport is the only arts and crafts festival in the Kansas City area that invites only local artists. This is your chance to see what the best of Kansas City has to offer.  Art Westport is the longest-running outdoor […]

Downtown Parkville, Missouri
Fine Art

Parkville Days 2019

This weekend is homecoming weekend for me, as I will be showing at Parkville Days in historic downtown Parkville, Missouri. Parkville Days have always been a grand celebration of a great community. In the past, I enjoyed walking around the main street party. Last year was my first time showing my photographic art and soul […]

Musings

Life Gets in the Way

Today would usually be the day that I would post about another day traveling the World or the United States.  I would typically talk about the photographic opportunities in such a post.  The unfortunate fact is that life gets in the way. While trying to post weekly is challenging enough throw in the fact that […]

Walls of the Kasbah of the Udayas 2 - Rabat Morocco
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 11

We left Septa / Ceuta after two nights and one full day.  We headed for Rabat following the N13 to N16 to the A4 bypassing Tangier.  We then head South on the A1 to Rabat where we stopped for lunch and saw some of what the city had to offer.  All in all we were […]

The Dragons House at Night (2 of 2)
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 10

Ceuta at Night This was the last night in Ceuta and after a late dinner I wandered the city looking for the light of the night.  This is something that I already loved doing, and since the Morocco trip I have found that I love photographing cities in the early morning and late evening light […]

Overland Park Kansas 9-11 Memorial
Uncategorized

9/11 Remembered 2018

On this day in 2001 the United States of America was attacked in a cowardly action by a few extremists.  Our world was changed on that day.  Almost 3,000 civilians were killed, over 6,000 were injured.  More have died since the attacks as a result of cancer and respiratory diseases that were directly caused by […]

The Royal Walls of Ceuta Spain
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 9

Septa / Ceuta Our only full day in Ceuta was full of walking.  Shelley and I decided to walk the streets of the city and photograph what there was to see.  We started our journey with a walk along the Mediterranean Sea toward the Royal Walls of Ceuta. THE ROYAL WALLS The Royal Walls of […]

Boardwalk of Cabo Negro - Morocco
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 8

Cabo Negro We awoke to a cold apartment that had no running water in Cabo Negro.  One might question cold temperatures in Morocco, but remember Morocco is North Africa and the building that we were staying in in Cabo Negro did not have any heat.  The community is normally in low season during the winter […]

Room of Mystery and Enchantments. Chefchaouen Morocco
Kansas City | Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 7

The fifth day of the trip, Shelley and I awoke at riad Dar Echchaouen, ate breakfast, and then after making plans to meet Tracy and Sarah in the medina, we started our self guided walking tour of the Blue City of Morocco. Before leaving the riad we checked with the front desk about retaining the […]

The Blue City in the Blue Hour - Chefchaouen Morocco
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 6

After I finished photographing the riad we loaded up in the car and left for our next destination, the town of Chefchaouen, located about two and half hours to the north of Fes.  This town is nestled in the Rif Mountains and is known for its buildings being painted various shades of blue.  Along the […]

Dinning Room 1 - Dar Ziryab
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 5

The fourth morning of the Moroccan road trip began with breakfast at the Dar Ziryab in Fes.  Once again there was plenty to go around.  I’ll take this time to show off the Riad.  I just could not get over the detail in the craftsmanship that went into the construction of the house.  It was […]

Doorway of Synagogue Ibn Danan - Fez Morocco
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 4

In this fourth part of the Morocco trip we pick after lunch on day three.  Our group had decided after eating lunch to walk to the old Jewish quarter of town. Yes I know what you are thinking, “isn’t Morocco an Islamic country?”.  Well the short answer is yes, but they do allow other religions;  […]

Doorway in the Medina of Fez Morocco Number 1
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 3

Third day of our Moroccan road trip started out with breakfast in the Dar Ziryab (http://www.darziryab.com/en/) in Fes.  I must say that the Moroccan breakfast is carb loaded, but when in Morocco do as the locals do.  The plan for the day was to meet up with one of Tracy’s co-workers and tour the Medina.  Keep […]

Sundown behind the Basilica At Volubilis
Morocco 2013 | Travel

Morocco – Part 2

The second day of our tour of Morocco with my cousins Tracy and Sarah started out at Tracy’s loading up the car for a Moroccan road trip.  Our destination for the day was the town of Fes which is located in the middle Atlas Mountains.  Keep in mind that clicking on the photographs throughout the blog will […]

Eagle Days 2017
Day Trips | Kansas City | Wildlife

Loess Bluffs NWR (Squaw Creek NWR) – Eagle Days 2017

Today Shelley and I loaded up the car and drove to one of my favorite places to photograph this time of year.  Over the last year the name has been changed from Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.  Eagle Days happened even with the change in the name.  Although oddly […]

Sunrise Kansas City Skyline from Kaw point 2017
Fine Art | Kansas City | Skylines

Kansas City Skyline Sunrise from Kaw Point Park

What a beautiful sunrise this morning from Kaw Point Park.  Sometimes you just have to stop and make the photograph.  It’s like stopping to smell the flowers.  This is the full size and final photograph from this morning’s side trip.  Many of you may have seen the behind the scenes photographs which I posted to […]

Powell Gardens -Spring Butterfly Exhibit: Morphos
Day Trips | Kansas City

Powell Gardens -Spring Butterfly Exhibit: Morphos

This year Shelley and I finally made out to Powell Gardens for the their photography day.  This year’s exhibit focuses on the Paper Kite and Blue Morpho butterfly.  The Blue Morpho is found in the tropical forests of Southern Mexico to Venezuela.  The Paper Kite is native to tropical Southeast Asia.  The exhibit runs through […]

Uncategorized

Important Days

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and edit each of these to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

Along the Shore

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and edit each of these to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

Portraits and Light

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and either delete these or edit each them to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Demo image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

In the City

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and either delete these or edit each them to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Demo image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

Afternoon Light

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and either delete these or edit each them to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Demo image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

Splashes of Color

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and either delete these or edit each them to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Demo image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

A Million Lights

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and either delete these or edit each them to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Demo image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

Everyday Wonders

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and edit each of these to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Uncategorized

Solitude

This is a blog post. You can login, go to Posts, and edit each of these to get some initial blog posts set up. Just update the title, change the featured images, and add a paragraph or two of text. Image courtesy of www.unsplash.com.

Sena Family 2015
Portraits | The Business

Sena Family 2015

Shelley and I had a lovely time shooting photos of the Sena Family. Phil, Sophie, Gloria, and Joe were a joy to work with and quickly caught on to my quirky style of photo direction. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we were so pleased they chose us to shoot their family photos. […]

Happy Holidays 2015
The Business

Happy Holidays 2015

It’s been a very crazy year.  We’re finally moving into the new (old) house were we will have studio space on the main floor.  We will be writing about that down the road, but for now let’s just say that the journey has been worth it.  We just finished getting a Christmas tree decorated this […]

Elisabeth JROTC Ball 2015
Portraits

JROTC Ball 2015

We had a great time shooting photographs with Elisabeth and Christian prior to their JROTC ball this year.  We spent about 45 minutes with them on the grounds of the Carroll Mansion in Leavenworth, KS.  Here are my favorite 9.  However there are many, many more….

Close Menu