Creativity
Your Camera Documents—You Interpret
I spent my first few years as a photographer trying to capture what was in front of me. Point the camera at the waterfall, get the exposure right, make sure it’s sharp. If everything was technically sound, I’d consider it a success. But those images felt hollow. Accurate, maybe, but not what I really wanted—and…
Read MoreLS 28: Working on Projects and Portfolios
Summary In this session, we explore how working on personal projects and building intentional portfolios can deepen your photography, sharpen your vision, and bring more meaning to your creative journey. Topics include: • Why constraints help, not hinder, creative growth• The different types of projects you can start (place-based, theme-based, gear-based, etc.)• What makes a…
Read MoreWhy Practice Alone Isn’t Enough
As a photographer, educator, and lifelong learner, I’ve spent years exploring how people grow creatively—what leads to lasting improvement, not just surface-level results. One idea that has shaped both my personal practice and the way I teach is the concept of deliberate practice—something I first encountered in the book Peak by psychologist Anders Ericsson. Deliberate…
Read MorePhotography, Composition, and Flow—Finding Freedom in Structure
I received an email recently asking if my emphasis on composition and visual design could potentially take the fun out of photography for someone who values a more “free-flowing” and spontaneous approach. I realized that perhaps I had given the impression that my own approach to photography was regimented and structured in this way. If…
Read MoreWhy Curiosity Is Your Best Tool As A Photographer
When I think about curiosity, I think of two famous people who exemplified curiosity in their daily lives: Albert Einstein and Leonardo Da Vinci. In his fantastic biography of Leonardo, Walter Isaacson says: “Leonardo’s relentless curiosity and experimentation should remind us of the importance of instilling, in both ourselves and our children, not just received…
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