Thursday, April 3, 2025 – Last-Minute Car Swap

Julianna & I headed to the homestead after work to celebrate Joshua’s birthday because Robert & Kendalyn were in town from Texas. Driving over, I could tell the knocking noise coming from under the car was noticeably worse . . . not a good sign before our planned trip to Miracle Mountain Ranch tomorrow. Jacked up the car and watched some YouTube videos to diagnose the problem, so missed most of the nerf gun war inside. Determined it wasn’t something I could fix before leaving tomorrow morning. Around 9pm, I asked Donald if I could borrow his car for the weekend. Thankfully, he wasn’t going to need it and said we could borrow it!

Switched all our stuff from the van to the Buick which took awhile. But got home and finished packing up and in bed before midnight!

Friday, April 4, 2025 – Only At Miracle Mountain Ranch

Got off around 7am. Rainy and cold on the drive up but arrived in good time to settle into our room at The Cattleman’s Hotel before things got started at 2pm.

The girl at the main office registration desk asked if I was the photography instructor who was from Salem, West Virginia. I said “yes” and then she said “I’m from Salem too”. I couldn’t believe it! Marshville Road. I think she knows folks who go to our church. She was up here as a student initially, but now helping on staff at Miracle Mountain Ranch.

Donnie Rosie kicked off the Photo Summit with an insightful introduction on how we can be a witness to others for Christ through our photography.

2:30pm – My session on “The Principles of Photography“

4:00pm – My session on “How You Can be a Landscape Photographer . . . Anywhere!“

Finally got to meet Lincoln in person! He’s been a Lenspiration member since August. It was quite providential . . . he said he enjoyed helping folks there at the Ranch update firmware on their cameras, and then at dinner, I was asking Donnie about a camera focusing issue I was having, and he said “perhaps it’s a firmware issue.” So I went and asked Lincoln if he could help me get that updated and we’ll try tomorrow! Praise the Lord.

A neat devotional this evening by someone by the name of Eric. It was all about “Does my work matter?“

Did some light painting after dark! Was helping other students so wasn’t able to get any shots of the “spinning whisk filled with burning steel wool” (see what I mean in this video at minute 1:35), but I did get to borrow a really cool f/2 85mm and get some shots of folks painting a Silverado.

Long day! So much fun to actually be hanging out with folks who love to talk photography.

Saturday, April 5, 2025 – An Epic Photo Shoot

Didn’t have any presentations to make this morning so was able to listen in on two, one on professional wedding photography and the other on basic video. Perhaps it will help with my YouTube channel haha.

Lincoln got the firmware updated on the 7Dii! Just in time for the 1pm hands-on equestrian shoot. Hope the update worked because I was letting a student borrow it for the afternoon.

It’s not every day you get to ask a cowboy (and cowgirl) on horseback to go around and do whatever you want them to do for pictures!

My favorite part was seeing some of the students learn how to do panning and get some neat shots.

Miracle Mountain Ranch Media Summit wrapped up at 6pm. So grateful for the opportunity to come and be a part of their ministry!

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve tings that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11