Hello, fellow photography enthusiasts!
I’m excited to share the details of my recent five-week journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the American Southwest and beyond. I was able to spend some memorable time making new friends as well as reminiscing with friends that I haven’t shot with in years. My travels took me through New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, and Colorado—each state offering its unique palette of natural beauty and photographic opportunities. With Colorado being the site for my San Juans in Bloom photography workshop this past July. Now, that I’ve returned and had some time to sift through the countless images I captured, I’m thrilled to announce that a new collection of photos is live on the website.
The Journey
From the arid deserts of New Mexico to the lush, evergreen forests of Washington, every destination on this trip presented its own set of challenges and rewards. Each state offered stunning contrasts: the unpredictable weather over the Arizona desert, the ethereal landscapes of New Mexico's Bisti Badlands, the dramatic mountain vistas in Colorado, and the snowcapped Mount Rainier, of Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park.
New Photos to Share
I’ve just uploaded a selection of my favorite shots from the trip to the website. These images reflect not just the diverse landscapes I encountered, but also the personal growth I experienced as a photographer. From the otherworldly formations of Valley of Dreams to the cool morning cloud inversions blanketing Mount Rainiers each photograph tells a story of its own. I invite you to explore the new images and experience these incredible locations through my lens.
Lessons Learned: Embracing the Unexpected
One of the biggest takeaways from this trip was learning how to be fully prepared for the unknown. I consider myself a very prepared photographer and carry not only extra camera gear but lots of emergency gear as well, my Toyota 4Runner looks like it's from the set of a Mad Max movie and I also want to be ready for the zombie apocalypse. All joking aside photographing remote locations means you often face unpredictable conditions—weather changes, difficult terrain, and unexpected logistical challenges. This past trip to Colorado, I experienced my first tire blowout above 11,500 feet in elevation during a rainstorm. Even though I’m prepared here are some key lessons I want to share:
1. Preparation is Key: Before heading out, thorough research and planning are crucial. Knowing the current weather, the local weather patterns (desert flashfloods & Summer Mountain snow showers), and having a backup plan for unexpected changes can make a significant difference. I also highly recommend having a way of checking weather such as a Garmin inreach, Satellite phone or even a Starlink.
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: Despite the best plans, things don’t always go as expected. Being adaptable and ready to seize the moment, even if it means deviating from your initial plan, can lead to some of the most memorable shots. I didn’t evacuate off the mountain but did keep up with the weather throughout the night and knew if it became worse, I might have to leave before my tire was patched or exchanged relying on my air compressor to get me off the mountain.
3. Equipment Readiness: In remote areas, you’re often far from any kind of support. Ensuring that all equipment is in good working order, carrying spare batteries, memory cards, and necessary repair tools, is essential. On this occasion, I carried a sidewall repair kit but had not checked it to see if everything was still good since I threw it in the 4Runner 3 years earlier. Needless to say, the glue inside the repair kit had dried up leaving me without a proper sidewall repair kit….
4. Respect for Nature: Traveling through these diverse landscapes reinforced the importance of respecting and preserving the natural beauty we’re fortunate to witness. Remember to clean up after yourselves when in nature that is often untouched by man. This includes everything it takes to patch a tire and or exchange a tire. There can be gloves, plastic, rubber, and paper towels. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and be mindful of your impact on the environment so we have a place to return to and capture its natural beauty.
In Conclusion
This five-week adventure was a reminder of why I fell in love with photography in the first place—the opportunity to capture and share the world’s beauty in its most raw and unfiltered form. Each new image reflects the incredible journey, and the lessons learned along the way.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through my words and images. I hope you find inspiration in these new photos and maybe even a bit of encouragement to embark on your own adventures, wherever they may lead.
Stay tuned for more updates and photos from my upcoming workshop at the end of September “Golden Hour in the Rockies” and Fall colors adventure!
Warm regards,
Michael
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