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!
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!
The Rarity of a Perfect Winter Scene
As a landscape photographer, there’s a part of me that genuinely looks forward to the kind of winter cold that brings snow, ice, and blizzards! Those are the days when the world is transformed—when every branch becomes a brushstroke and every field a blank canvas....
How I Organized My Phone Photos After Finally Making Sense of Google Photos
Is it just me, or is anyone else running out of storage space in Google Photos?
A Divine Composition: 9 Providential Encounters on Jekyll Island
Have you ever read the poem, "Disappointment - His appointment, change one letter and I see that the thwarting of my purpose is God's better choice for me. . ." After a year of planning and then cancelling our October EXPLORE Meet Up at Jekyll Island, choosing a date in January had its risks.
Student Photographer Spotlight: Summer Milligan
One thing I love about EXPLORE Meet-ups is the people! As I packed my suitcase and camera gear for the quick trip down to Jekyll Island, Georgia, I already couldn't wait to see the West family again along with their grandfather, Slade. And Lukas, who talks photography every time I see him at the TTD Convention in Pigeon Forge would be there too! This was going to be fun.
Who Wins the Prize for the 10 “Most Unique” Photos of a . . . Door?
Photos of a door? You read it correctly! For the Jekyll Island EXPLORE Meetup we did a unique photography challenge. “Go find a door and take 10 artistic photos of it. The one who comes away with the most unique set of 10 photos wins!” Yeah, I know. Sounds rather difficult. If not downright strange. But you should try it sometime!
The Jekyll Island Sunrise I Didn’t Choose
I could hardly believe I was actually on my way to Jekyll Island! I’m not even sure when I first heard about this small, unassuming island off the coast of southern Georgia. Maybe it was in an old issue of Outdoor Photographer I pored over when I was young. Or...
Student Photographer Spotlight: William Fallow
Congratulations to student photographer William Fallow on being chosen as the winner of the recent assignment, The Gift of Photography! We recently sent him some questions to get to know him a bit better, and loved hearing all the ways he has been enjoying photography. Let's sit down and have a chat and see some of his stunning photos!
Grand Canyon Photography: A Prime Sunrise Spot
We had found the Desert View Watchtower overlook to be a fantastic sunset location with its sweeping views to the west. I had taken a chance with sunrise at Grandview Point and discovered it to be the ideal location for that time of day. We hiked into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail for an adventurous midday activity. And we were blown away with the incredible sunset God gave us at a small, yet ideal location at Navajo Point, complete with open views of the Dragon Bravo wildfire on the North Rim.
Grand Canyon Photography: Navajo Point
After a wonderful mid‑day hike partway down into the canyon, we freshened up at camp before heading out to what turned out to be the most photogenic location of our entire three‑day Grand Canyon photography excursion. This was our third golden hour in a row at the...
Grand Canyon Photography: A Perfect Midday Activity
After a short yet exhilarating hike into the Grand Canyon, it was so refreshing to get back to the car where Julianna and Mordecai were waiting. The day had hardly started, only just after 7:30am. We pulled out a yummy breakfast and kept warm and comfortable in the plush seats of our brand new rental vehicle. From where we were sitting, we could look out over the canyon with the rising sun now flooding the majestic rock walls.
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New month - new photo assignment! And this one is pretty sweet. 🙂 Our goal is to take beautiful photos that reflect the truths of Psalm 119:103, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Get all the details at the link in bio!
Another behind the scenes shot....thanks to @real_lukas_n Though I usually use a tripod for landscape photography, there was no time in this situation where it was literally raining. When I saw the distant mountains after pulling in for only a short time at this open-to-the-public farm, I knew there was a shot somewhere. This vast field of flooded strawberry plants was the foreground I was looking for, offering perfect leading lines to the triangular peak framed by the sweeping mist.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#farm #landscapephotographer #shootingintherain #rainyday #behindtheshot
New blog post! 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. Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Behind the shot photo.... When it`s rainy, and you`re not on lights`s time table, there`s time to chat with friends while you`re out in the field! 🤩 Thanks @real_lukas_n for the second photo! --
Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#outdoorphoto #lowkey #mystery #photographyfriends #explorenc
Happy Memorial Day! Let us honor their sacrifice by using our freedoms not to do as we please, but to live as we ought. #freedom #integrity #selfcontrol #memorialday #Godblessamerica
New blog post! 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... Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on Tuesday, May 26 as we look at "Glowing Scenery" photos. . . Register at link in bio!
Foreground element, framing, leading lines, human element, vibrant color.... Definitely one of my favorite shots from EXPLORE Springtime in the Smokies.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#photographycomposition #photoworkshop #composition #landscapephotography #springtime @greatsmokynps @blueridgenps
Before/after....look at the difference! A little editing is just what it needed to make it pop (IMO). What do you think?
"For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills." Deuteronomy 8:7-9 Every time I photograph a waterfall I should thank the Lord for letting me live in such a blessed land.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#waterfall #verseoftheday #landscapephoto #thankful #godsblessing
New blog post! 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. Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
The photo assignment for May is live! Take beautiful, landscape photos that have a warm, glowing sense to them. Photos could include warm sunlight glowing at the end of a path, over water, over a stream, in a field, or over a mountain. Details at link in bio.
New blog post! Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Someone got a photo of me taking the group photo at Family Conference last week! @familyconfs @alertacademy #familyconference #eventphotography #groupphoto #eventphotographer #adventurous
A quick stop in Paris for a selfie! 😄 #paristexas #travel #selfietime #texas
So much fun to photograph a family conference as an actual family! (Thank you Rebekah for the photo!)
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#family #behindthescenes #together #teamwork #wvphotographer
On the lookout for puddles on a rainy first day of Conference!
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Family-friendly place to learn photography! www.lenspiration.com
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#rainyday #homeschool #conference #familylife #puddlejumping
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on Tuesday, April 28! Register at link in bio.
