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!
Embrace the Unexpected!
In the photographer’s pursuit of beauty, he relies on many factors that are outside of his control. Of course, he hopes and plans for conditions favorable to fulfilling his goals But sometimes the conditions are less favorable than expected. Sometimes more...
On Assignment: Shooting for the Cover of a Magazine!
Ever wondered what it was like to shoot a photo that was featured on the front cover of a magazine?! Well, it is a nice idea, but I actually don’t know what it’s like yet….none of the photos I’ve ever taken have been featured on the front cover of a magazine. But!...
This Morning’s Incredible Super Blue Blood Moon!
Did you hear about the incredible natural phenomenon that happened this morning? I’ll let NASA explain all the juicy details about it…..what I was interested in was taking pictures of it! Here’s what excited me about it: Though where I live it was not going to be a...
Behind the Shot: Forgotten
We arrived just in time. The last rays of direct sunlight were still shining strong on the western side of the church when we pulled up. I hopped out of the car and plunged into the thigh-deep drift of snow piled beside the road. With considerable effort, I made my...
On Assignment: Shooting for the Cover of a Book
Ever wondered how you're supposed to conduct a photoshoot for the cover of a book? Well, I wish I could tell you! Even after shooting for this STS assignment, I still wonder how it's supposed to be done! Despite my desperate lack of experience, I started with the...
The Photo That Won the “New Life” Contest
The “New Life” Shoot to Serve photo assignment was a very popular one. As you can see below, there were quite a few photos submitted! Which one would you choose as your favorite? Ben, over at Sharpening Character was the judge for this contest, but it’s interesting...
Behind the Shot: Sky Rock Overlook
The Shoot to Serve assignment that expires tomorrow, Woman Worshiping God, has been on my radar for several weeks… Problem is, I don’t live near any epic overlooks or “perfect” locations that the assignment demands. Yes, I live in the “Mountain State”, but the...
Share Your Favorite Places to Take Pictures!
I just spent some time adding some new locations to the Scouting Guide! One of the new locations, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas, is just one of those perfect spots for a fun, family outing that could be enjoyed by the whole family, both photography...
Re-Thinking “Dark” and “Light”
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a photographer, I’m sure we’ve all taken pictures during special events of one sort or another! And whether it was a holiday celebration, a birthday party, a wedding reception (anything festivity-related), I’m guessing it...
Ever Heard of the “Glowy Effect”?
Ever heard of the “glowy effect”?If you haven’t, that’s ok because, well, I just sorta made it up the other day. For the current Shoot to Serve assignment, Glowing Sunlight, I simply didn’t know how to clearly explain the effect I was envisioning would be an...
Behind the Shot: Stormy Mountain Majesty
Stormy Mountain Majesty Denali National Park, Alaska Downloadable as a free desktop wallpaper for Lenspiration subscribers This is what sunset looked like at 9:30pm on that beautiful, Alaskan summer evening. “Pretty late, for a sunset,” I thought. And it...
Crazy Photography Camping Trip!
Back in July, I took some relatively random video clips of my photography camping trip in California! Jonathan compiled them into this little video: Click here to subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch more videos from the life of a landscape...
Interview With The Forefather of the FEW Conferences
Remember the Sharpening Character VersePic contest I mentioned in the recent blog post, A Request For Something A Little Different? Well, as it happened, the verse I submitted for their contest was chosen for their most recent VersePic…and since Andrew, the...
How Do You Deal With Temptation?
I love Sunday evenings! Especially after the time change. It gets dark so early one can sit down and enjoy a good book for what feels like “late into the night” without it actually going late into the night! Last night I was reading William Gurnall’s “The Christian...
A Request for Something a Little Different
Did you know Sharpening Character is celebrating their 100th episode? While it’s always fun to take pictures for their VersePics on STS, I thought it would be fun to participate in their special “100th Episode VersePic Contest”…instead of submitting a picture for...
Behind the Shot: Diamond Ring
Diamond Ring August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Downloadable as a free desktop wallpaper for Lenspiration subscribers The first time I heard about it was in early July. "Hey, you planning on taking any pictures of the solar eclipse next month?" a friend asked as I...
Do I Ever Delete Photos?
In this digital age, the cost of snapping a photo is insanely cheap. But does that mean I keep every single photo I take? This is a question someone asked me the other day, and an important question for those who are just starting to think about how they will set...
How Bulb Mode Works
Did you know that the longest shutter speed your camera offers is 30 seconds? Even in full Manual mode, you can’t set the shutter speed to be any longer than 30 seconds. So, what do you do if you want to open the shutter speed for longer than that? This snapshot of...
This Week’s Opportunity to Shoot to Serve
Looking for a little purpose to put into your photography practice? Why not shoot for the latest Shoot to Serve assignment? Sharpening Character is looking for a concept photo to backdrop Romans 5:7-8 for their next VersePic: "For scarcely for a righteous man will...
A Marvel Worth Musing On
It was surprisingly warm for a late-September evening as I lay there gazing up at the stars. My brother and I had dragged out our cots and sleeping bags onto the driveway, and oh! it was worth the effort just to be able to gaze up into that incredibly clear sky!...
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Follow along with Lenspiration travels…
It`s a choice to continue in sin. And it`s a choice to leave it. The way of escape is always open. "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" Isaiah 61:1
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#verseoftheday #christianphotographer #faithandphotography #freedominchrist #exploretocreate
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!
