James Staddon, Author at Lenspiration

Choosing the Best Photo from Snowshoe

This year, my family did something we have never done before. You see, my family is from West Virginia. And this summer, we decided to take a family vacation to . . . West Virginia! Not a field trip. Not a day trip to and from a vacation destination. This was a legit, multi-day family vacation to the mountains! We... Read More »

On Assignment: Balloons!

Last week, I meandered through the Exhibit Hall at the Southeast Homeschool Expo. At big events like this, I try to talk to as many vendors as I can. If I can find out what kind of photo needs they might have, I can turn them into the monthly Shoot to Serve Photo Assignments! The August assignment was supposed to... Read More »

One Thing You Can’t Fail To Do Before Photographing A Wedding!

Beautiful photos are not an accident. So, what can you do, as a wedding photographer, to make sure your photos are the best they can be?On our way back from 4th of July concerts and celebrations in Connecticut, Lydia (the second photographer), Julianna, and I stopped in Delaware to photograph a wedding. We arrived... Read More »

A Visit to America’s Newest National Park

The New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is America’s newest National Park. And it’s in West Virginia! With free admission, how could I not be excited about this?! Over the years, I’ve enjoyed exploring the the New River Gorge when I’ve had the chance. Because I live north of the Park, my “chance” is usually... Read More »

On Assignment: Photography Equipment Macro

Ever wanted to take macro photos, but didn’t have a macro lens? That’s when it’s time to pull out an extension tube! An extension tube takes a regular lens and turns it into a macro lens by simply adding more space between it and the camera body. And what if you don’t have an extension tube? You can make one! I... Read More »

An Unlikely Subject

It’s a long drive from West Virginia to Connecticut. Sometimes, on our trips up there to visit family, we get off late and don’t have time to stop and take pictures at random places along the way. Other times, if we can get off early like we did this time, we do!There arelots of places I haven’t explored yet on our... Read More »

Put On The Camera!

On our way back from the HEAV Convention last week, Julianna and I met up with some friends to go for a hike and spend some time together! The hike we decided on was Bear’s Den Overlook on the Appalachian Trail. I hadn’t ever been there before, but it seemed like a nice family-friendly hike. Moderate incline, a mile... Read More »

My Favorite Photos from HEAV

Just finished up editing all my photos from the HEAV Convention last weekend! I didn’t have much time to shoot, my time being split up between the Photography Team, Photo Class, and booth, but I was able to contribute a few photos to the collection harvested by the Team. Of the 500 I took, 100 were worth delivering... Read More »

How Important Is It To “Remember”?

I have driven down Route 50 through Grafton, West Virginia, many times. But it wasn’t until yesterday that I realized that all these years I had been driving right by a National Cemetery! It is up on a hill, set apart just enough that you can’t see it from the road. A patriotic contingent of us Staddon’s attended a... Read More »

A World of Words

The other morning, I was reading Matthew 12. As a photographer, verse 36 popped out to me: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”“Idle” in that verse literally means lazy, the trait of shunning work which ought to be done. It is in... Read More »

A Waterfall in the Middle of the Day

Between conventions earlier this month, we were staying with friends in Tennessee and decided to go for a little hike. They lived close to the Smokey Mountains, so we headed out to a trail that led out to Falls Branch Falls. I was working in the earlier part of the day, and we needed to be home in time for supper, so... Read More »

On Assignment: Scientific Investigation

What a fun assignment this is! Creation Today is looking for photos related to science or investigation. You can read all the details on the assignment page here, but here’s how I ended up going about photographing it: This assignment should be pretty simple to shoot. Start with finding someone who would be... Read More »

The One-Minute Photo Challenge!

Have you ever been in a competition with an intense deadline? Do you remember your heart pounding, your hands sweating and your mind racing with a million thoughts a minute? It’s almost impossible to think.The 8 students I worked with at CAPTURE Indiana had processed and absorbed a ton of information in the space of... Read More »

Highlights from CAPTURE Indiana!

More photos coming soon, but here are some highlights from the Lenspiration photography workshops in Indiana this weekend!God gave us an amazing sunset on Thursday night!Horses, a donkey, cows, and this huge bull came by to have their pictures taken at this random roadside stop.So grateful for beautiful, warm, spring... Read More »

On Assignment: Creative Scripture Designs

Can you imagine, a photo assignment where you can take pictures of just about anything you want! But there is a catch. Special text needs to be added to the photos. But you can see the assignment details for more info on that. So, let’s use this as our opportunity to focus on quality! What do you enjoy taking... Read More »

The Way Through Every Problem

Workflows increase efficiency. They help me get a lot done in a shorter amount of time. So when a workflow breaks, either things don’t get done efficiently, or things just don’t get done at all. And recently, two Lightroom problems interrupted various of my workflow; and you should have seen the lack of efficiency!... Read More »

Spring Has Arrived!

Did you all get outside and enjoy it this week? The first day of spring! I love spring. I love the days getting warmer and the colorful flowers popping out everywhere. And the evenings are lighter! Spring, for me, is also the beginning of convention season. And I love it. I love planning trips, I love figuring out... Read More »

An Unexpected Outdoor Opportunity

After a fairly disappointing morning (as described in the last blog post, Better Than Nothing!), all I wanted to do was get some sleep. I knew I had an inbox full of emails begging for my attention, but after pushing through an almost-all-nighter, sleep was higher priority. So I took a nap. And boy did it feel good!... Read More »

Better Than Nothing!

I stared in disbelief at the glowing LED traffic info sign next to the barricade across the road. We had driven all this way….and then, this? A fat moon hung close to the horizon in the dark, night sky, and the puffy clouds looked promising for a gorgeous sunrise. We were in the wild regions of north Georgia with... Read More »

On Assignment: The Month of March

I don’t think we’ve ever done a documentary themed assignment before. So I got excited when Nature Friend Magazine had the idea to publish photo essays of The Month of March in your corner of the world! A demonstration video had to be filmed before March began, so I chose 7 days near the end of February to explore my... Read More »