Lenspiration Blog
Welcome! Wherever you are on your photography journey, learn to take better photos through the photography tips and stories you'll find in the following free articles. By learning from the experience of others, you can also start taking pictures that you're excited to share with others!
8 Creative Ideas to Add to Your Calendar Theme
For the 2027 calendar, I kept some ideas and added others, refining the calendar theme one step at a time. Here are eight ideas that shaped this year’s calendar. . .
From Hobby to Profession: Making the Jump to Brand Photography
I wasn't coming up with enough time to write a blog post story this week, as I was starting into preparing the Lenspiration 2027 Calendar, making plans for photographing a wedding in September, and assembling content for my first Art Show at our town's local Apple...
Sunrise Composition Tips from a Photo Adventure on Ragged Mountain
It has been a long time since I set my alarm clock for 3:30am. But there was no way around it!
Sunrise was at 5:31am.
I wanted to be on location at 5:00am. If it took half an hour to hike to the overlook, I needed to be at the trailhead at 4:30am. Google Maps said it was a half hour drive to the trailhead, giving me a departure time of 4:00am. And because I figured it would take half an hour to shake the sleep out of my eyes, get ready for the day, pack up some snacks, and put on my hiking shoes . . . I needed to set my alarm for 3:30am.
The Photo That Lost the Popularity Contest
It's time to reveal the results from the Lenspiration 2027 Calendar Photo Candidates survey! 72 different people participated in the survey this year. And to find out which photos they thought were the most popular, I pulled all the information into a spreadsheet...
Student Photographer Spotlight: Leanne Loewen
In early 2024, a "New Order" notification arrived in my email inbox that perked my interest. "Wow, this family is from Alaska. And look at that, they live quite close to where I visited back in 2013!" I wrote back to ask if they knew any of the people and places I...
5 Reasons I Love July (As a Photographer)
Summer's here, and I'm so excited for it. As a photographer, here are the top 5 reasons I'm lovin' this July!
What Do YOU Think About These Photos?
As we look back on 250 years of American history, so much has changed—our cities, our technology, our pace of life. Yet some things remain wonderfully unchanged. I’m grateful for every chance I've had to explore even a small portion of this immense continent. Over the past year, as I’ve sorted through images for my 2027 Fine Art Calendar, I’ve found myself reflecting on the incredible natural beauty God has placed across this country. And now it's your turn to share your impressions & feedback on my photos!
Unexpected First Step into Color Theory
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy...
Why Great Photos Depend on the Small Stuff
In a past blog post, I said I'd share more photos from our short stop in Sedona, Arizona. Well, here they are, plus a fascinating tidbit behind great photos that I discovered while as I was editing them.
I didn't know my way around Sedona very well. But after doing some online scouting, I was convinced that Bell Rock was the place I wanted to go for my only sunset in the area. Naturally, I followed Google Maps to the "Bell Rock Pathway Trailhead Parking Lot." But when we got there, I didn't see any Bell Rock.
How My Love for Outdoor Photography Deepens My Understanding of Scripture
The snow fell thick and fast. Wind whipped across my face. Just days earlier, I had been strolling with the family through early, spring blossoms in beautiful, warm weather. But on this mid‑March afternoon, winter wasn’t giving up without a fight. To get any sort...
The Cost of a Relaxing, Sunset Photo Shoot with Family
The last bit of light after sunset doesn't take long to disappear. Sparkling stars were peering through the pinyon pine boughs above us. We were in the deep shadows of dusk as we picked our way down the rock strewn trail back to the parking lot.
How We Took Amazing Rainy-Day Photos in the Smoky Mountains
Rain poured down in torrential waves as we made our way through the Smoky Mountains. We had gotten up insanely early—long before dawn—to make the most of our time photographing at the high-elevation overlooks before the storm. But now the rain was coming down so hard that even the most dedicated among us didn’t feel like stepping out of the car for a photo. Until we rounded a bend and saw...
Rainy Day in the Smokies
The photographer who makes decisions based on comfort won’t get out in the field, even in a place like the Smokies—and therefore won’t come home with any photos.
My Favorite “Next-Level” Photos From Big Sandy
At the Big Sandy Family Conference last week, the students got so many great photos! Families together, faces smiling, kids all excited, speakers in action—exactly the kind of images we were going for. Like these . . . But as I was reviewing the photos afterwards,...
A Lesson in Faith from Banks Lake, Washington
I can’t tell you how rejuvenating it is when I cross paths with a Christian photographer loves to write and share Christian perspective in photography! Not that long ago, a friend of mine introduced me to the photo blog of Jeffrey Cummings, a nature photographer on the west coast. And I’ve been enjoying following his blog ever since! When I read the following post about his experience at Banks Lake in Washington, I thought it would be an excellent read for everyone here at Lenspiration, and Jeff was more than happy to share. —James
A Day To Remember
The hard deadlines of filing taxes and preparing for an upcoming road trip prevented me from being able to write up a full blog post this week, but I did takes some photos over the Easter weekend that I thought you might enjoy seeing!
A Picture‑Trail Through the Desert
I had an unusual opportunity to wander the desert at my own pace. No schedule. No rush. Just me, my camera and the desert waking up around me...
One Simple Mistake that Ruins Great Photos
As you may have read in earlier blog posts, I had thoroughly enjoyed photographing the sunrises, sunsets and golden hours at the Grand Canyon during a trip to the southwest in July. I was beyond satisfied with the great photos I had. . .
Two Important Roles of an Event Photographer
We just got back from an exciting trip to the 2026 Indiana homeschool convention! Not only was I was responsible for teaching a Photo Class, I was also supposed to be the official event photographer in charge of photographing the whole event. Thankfully, I had two...
Student Photographer Spotlight: Ellie Handley
We first met Ellie when she came to a Photo Class at a homeschool convention in Arizona. Since then, Ellie has been taking Lenspiration's photography courses as a high school elective, and we've enjoyed having her participate in Photo Assignments along the way. Here's a bit of our subsequent conversation from this Arizona student photographer!
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What are we up to?
Follow along with Lenspiration travels…
Which lane am I in? Headed toward the light, or fleeing from it? "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:20-21
I`ve driven through this pass scores of times, but I`ve only taken the time to photograph it once. I`m busy. I`ve got places to go. But because capturing beauty is important to me, I find ways to prioritize it. Same in my walk with the Lord. I am in such desperate need of God`s light in my life, I prioritize going to His word in the mornings.
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Wholesome photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#walkinthelight #faithinfocus #christianphotography #sunsetlover #landscapephotography
🎉 Celebrate with us! 🎉
The new “Jesus, I Come” Lenspiration 2027 Calendar is here!
This year, I made some changes to the monthly design, giving it a fresh, clean look while retaining the aspects that everyone has come to know and love about the Lenspiration calendars—intricate cutouts, hymn lyrics, and Scriptures on each month.
Pre-orders start today, and calendars will begin shipping in October after they’ve been printed.
🎉 To celebrate the launch, we’re giving out a special gift for the next 10 days (until August 31). Anyone who pre-orders any quantity of Original or Personalized 2027 Calendars during this time will get 20% OFF the Lenspiration store* for the rest of 2026! 🎉
May the 2027 Calendar be a blessing to all who receive it, and a fresh reminder to come to Jesus each and every day throughout this coming year!
*20% discount cannot be combined with other discounts or offers, and does not apply to purchases of Original, Personalized or Artist’s Calendars, as well as Budget or Recommended Camera Kits.
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Family-friendly photography training
www.lenspiration.com
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#2027calendar #lenspiration #landscape_photography #JesusIcome #Scripturecalendar #Christiancalendar #inspirationalcalendar #christianphotographer #wvphotographer #uslandscapes
The following story is from a Lenspiration blog post which tells some of the behind-the-scenes stories from the photos I chose for the 2027 calendar (pre-orders for calendars begin on Friday, August 21!!).
But did any of the photos from that stop in western Virginia make it into the calendar?! Well. . .you’ll have to find out on Friday when the big reveal happens! 😉
"In May of 2025, we set out on a 4-day trek from Tennessee to Maine for the next event on our calendar, not knowing that the journey itself would offer some of the most memorable moments of the whole trip!
The first day’s drive was relatively short. On the way to spend the night with friends in Virginia, we savored the quiet drive surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. We indulged in a long lunch break at a picnic table tucked among trees with perfect temperatures and lighthearted birds flitting around us.
That evening, at our host’s lovely home in the Shenandoah Valley, we stepped out on the front porch to enjoy the spectacular view. There was no color in the sky, but that didn’t matter. Since photography is my work, I usually set it aside on Sundays to enjoy a day of rest.
However, as we sat and chatted in the peaceful beauty of the country surroundings, the sky started to get colorful and kept getting better and better. Finally, I looked at Julianna to see if this short interruption of our time together would be an acceptable exception, and her sweet smile was all the answer I needed! I jogged down to the van and snapped these photos before the perfect color faded away."
🎉SAVE THE DATE: Friday, August 21 - Calendar pre-orders open! 🎉
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#lenspiration #lenspirationcalendar #2027calendar #fineartcalendar #landscapephotography #naturephotography #behindtheshot #behindthescene #wvphotographer
"Thus saith the LORD, keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed." Isaiah 56:1
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#californiawaterfalls #waterfallphotography #explorecalifornia #chasingwaterfalls #landscapephoto
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on Tuesday, August 25! Register at link in bio.
At this very moment . . . the Lenspiration 2027 Calendar is being assembled. The theme has been chosen. The design has been tweaked. Each photo has been carefully edited, and hymns and Scripture verses selected.
On Friday, August 21, we`ll have a big reveal and pre-orders will begin!
So, mark your calendar and get ready for the all-new Lenspiration fine art 2027 Calendar!
#wvphotographer #landscapephotography #calendar #FineArt #landscapes #creationphotographer #savethedate #2027calendar #creation
2026 marks the beginning of my foray into art exhibiting! Started off with displaying some calendars at the annual @salemwvofficial Salem Community Arts Showcase on Saturday. Next will be the Salem Apple Butter Festival in October. Special thanks to the Cultural Foundation of Harrison County for making both events possible! My goal is to use the exhibits to create a wholesome, educational experience for art-lovers to expand their knowledge in photography, geography, and the ethics essential to success in any professional field.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#artexhibit #learnthroughart #salemwv #lenspiration #artwithpurpose
Super excited! Thank you FeedSpot for naming Lenspiration as #2 in the top 10 Best West Virginia Photography Blogs to Follow in 2026! Just after Wonderful West Virginia Magazine @wonderfulwestvirginia Read more at https://bloggers.feedspot.com/west_virginia_photography_bloggers Truly, there`s no other place I`d rather call home than wild, wonderful West Virginia
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#onlyinwestvirginia #photoblogger #wvblogger #top10
I learned what "flash flood" means, the other day. No problem driving into downtown Indianapolis when the rain started. But it rained so hard and so long, our efforts to leave were thwarted over and over again as we backed out of street after street trying to find a way back to the Interstate. Never seen so much water on the road before. Thankfully we were able to get to an entrance ramp that was on higher ground....and begin our long journey home through more storms, tornado warnings, and flooded construction sites. So grateful that God "rulest the raging sea: when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them"! (Psalm 89:9)
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#flooding #travelphotography #travel #danger #flashflood
We almost left the overlook, when something happened.... We were on our way home from Connecticut, stopping in Virginia to meet up with @samuelchingphotography to photograph sunset at @greatfallsparkvanps. I chose the Maryland side of the river because the overlook faced west toward the sunset. However, we ran into two problems. First, the boardwalk offered no opportunity to descend down to the waters edge (offering instead severe penalties for leaving it). And second, it was not a pretty sunset. After spotting the landscape for a while, why stick around? Part of our group headed back to the car and I began packing up. And that`s when, out of nowhere, these long, pink, apparently altocumulus radiatus clouds appeared in the western sky in the perfect spot for landscape compositions! I can`t believe we almost missed it. I learned I need to be patient, even after the moment of sunset.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#greatfallspark #altocumulus #sunsetchasers #patiencepays #landscapephotography
For this month`s photo assignment, we`re doing something a little unusual: we`re learning how to take photos and add creative text overlay. With resources to help you through the process, this assignment takes your photography to the next level and helps you understand design concepts.
The goal is simple - to create "Verse Pics": taking any picture you’d like, with a verse relating to the scene designed on it.
Learn all about it at the link in bio!
On my way back from that morning hike at the top of South Mountain, the main thought in my head was to get back to the car so I could get home. Then I started thinking about why I wanted to get home. Well, one of the reasons was because I wanted to be back with Julianna and finally tell her good morning (because I had left so early that she was still asleep). That made me start thinking about how much she likes wildflowers and I thought "Hey, I should take some pictures of flowers to show her when I get back..." And that`s when I started noticing all the flowers by the side of the trail! --- Moral of the story: sometimes you don`t see things till you start looking for them. 😃 "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see." Isaiah 42:18
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#flowerphotography #phoneography #lookandsee #lovestory #scripture
I can`t believe I found a spot like this in Connecticut! I`ve know a great photo spot like this existed, but couldn`t figure out how to get there without a super long, exhausting hike. Finally figured it out thanks in part to @alltrails. I can DM hiking directions if interested. It`s still probably a 2mi hike.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#onlyinconnecticut #hikingadventures #bestphotospot #overlook #landscapephotography
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on July 28 as we take a photographic tour across the world and explore "Picturesque Places"! Register at the link in bio.
I`ve had my eye on this location for years...and today I finally made the early morning hike out for golden hour. With the smoke coming down from Canada, would I get my chance for the photo I`ve been waiting for?!
A quick sunrise shoot with amazing potential. Right place at the right time. Would the sun show up and make it a perfect morning?!
Join me in the minutes before sunrise as I discover what the results of my early morning hike would be!
And here`s the real photo! Just tweaked a bit in LR. No special glowing effect added. No fake sunrays. No sky or foreground masking. Just purely picking up what I saw and experienced, because it was such a perfect sunrise (with help from the smoke from Canada).
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Become a photographer: www.lenspiration.com
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#beforeandafter #behindthelens #sunrisehike #landscapephoto #canadianwildfires
