Photography Tips

When Kaia and I packed up the car for our two-hour trip from Manhattan to Bonner Springs, I knew we were in for a full Saturday at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. What I did not anticipate was just how much of a masterclass in event photography, crowd navigation, and harsh high-contrast lighting the day […]

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of watching a severe thunderstorm roll across the sky. Tonight, a late-night summer storm rolled through Manhattan, producing some of the most striking, electric lightning strikes I have seen all season. Capturing lightning on camera might look like pure luck or magic, but it actually comes down […]

The wait is officially over! The Riley County Fair is kicking off today at Cico Park in Manhattan, Kansas. From the hard work of the local 4-H kids in the livestock barns to the smell of funnel cake and the neon glow of the carnival midways, there is no better place to capture summer memories. […]

Have you ever wanted to capture the incredible, hidden details of the miniature world right outside your door? Macro photography is a fantastic way to explore nature. And you don’t need a complicated technical setup to get stunning results. Whether you shoot with a professional macro lens or the smartphone in your pocket, learning a […]

We have all seen standard fireworks photos. They are crisp, bright lines against a black sky, and while they are beautiful, they can start to look exactly the same after a while. Over a decade ago, I started experimenting with my camera settings during the local fireworks shows. I wanted to capture something different, unique, […]

Capturing the Rush: How to Take Beautiful Waterfall Photos When the spring and summer rains hit Kansas, our local landscapes transform. Hidden spots like Geary Lake Falls and Chase Lake Falls turn from quiet trickles into roaring spectacles. If you want to capture that raw beauty, you need more than just a quick smartphone snap. […]

The Sobela Ocean Aquarium is a world-class masterpiece tucked right inside the Kansas City Zoo. When I first stepped inside, I didn’t just see fish; I saw a playground of light, shadows, and immersive color. It is a photographer’s dream, but it can be a parent’s technical nightmare. How do you capture that look of […]

The Best Kind of Chaos: A Photographer’s Guide to the Kansas City Zoo If you have kids, you know the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium isn’t just an attraction; it is a rite of passage. It is where tiny hands press against glass and whispers of ‘look, a lion!’ turn into excited shouts. As a […]

The Soul of New Orleans: A Visual Guide to Jazz Fest & Beyond There is a specific kind of magic that happens in New Orleans during Jazz Fest. It is loud, it is dusty, and it is vibrantly, unapologetically alive. As I look back on my trip from last year, I am reminded that NOLA […]

Are you wondering if your home is good enough for newborn photos? Are you worried it’s too dark? Too small? Perhaps too messy? This featured gallery on Fort Riley is a great example for you! In addition to difficult shooting conditions, this particular session included 3 babies under 3. I’ll include several before and after […]