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!
Eradicating Awkwardness
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to step out and do something different. As much as I love landscape photography, it does not always provide direct, on-the-ground ways of advancing God’s Kingdom. But when I heard about the opportunity to take pictures at a...
First Day of Fall Presents . . .
Can you guess? What do you think I would be so excited about come one quarter till next year?! Take a peek at the new Anywhere with Jesus 2015 Lenspiration Calendar! It’s exclusive, it’s a new design, it’s different . . . and it’s totally not politically correct....
Tips for Taking Great Pictures on a “Normal Vacation”
Are your vacations ever “normal”? Like, where you actually take a break from what you always do? For me, a “Normal Vacation” is when my main objectives for vacationing someplace does not include taking pictures. A vacation is when I go someplace and feel like I...
An Enlightening Appointment
We did something during CAPTURE Alaska that I had never done before at any previous workshop. It was such a helpful experience that I’d like to do it again at future workshops where possible. In fact, it was so good that I would recommend you incorporate this...
The Thoughts Behind the Shots
Here are a few images from the CAPTURE Alaska workshop which I’ve converted to desktop backgrounds. Their allusion of grandeur, energy, and steadfastness remind me of a verse I read yesterday: “The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with...
From the Perspective of the CAPTURE Alaska Photographers
It’s about time I showed some of the pictures from the others on the team of photographers in Alaska! Sam is a budding photographer who wanted an intensive to help him unleash the power of his SLR camera. He’d always loved photography, but had only been using an...
5 Easily Accessible Alaskan Photo Ops
For the rest of the CAPTURE Alaska workshop, we stuck pretty close to the road for our shooting excursions. Number one, it takes a lot of time to backpack out to different locations, and for this workshop once was enough. There were many things to cover in the...
Quick Update from CAPTURE Alaska
You know the number one challenge of taking pictures in August in Alaska? Clouds. It’s the beginning of the rainy season here, so rain and clouds are very common and can quickly become a huge problem. But they can also be an amazing benefit! Without them, the sky...
How to Do Scouting for Landscape Photography
When shooting landscapes, sometimes I just shoot to get the best shot wherever I happen to be. Especially on family vacations or when I am traveling from place to place. But when it comes to a CAPTURE Workshop, it’s a totally different story! I’m up in Alaska now...
The Most Helpful Aspect
We covered a lot of material and many ideas concerning photography during CAPTURE Virginia. However, by the end of the class, it was clear that there was one thing that continually and overwhelmingly came out on top as the absolutely most helpful aspect of the...
Today in Virginia
Hello from Virginia! Our first full day of CAPTURE was just that . . . very full! We’re all learning a lot. It’s a great team of photographers to be working with and I’m looking forward to the next two full days ahead of us! I only took one shot of the sunrise this...
10 Tips for Shooting the Pacific Coast
Just pulled together a few new desktop wallpapers from the California Loop with a theme of The Pacific Coast. I’ve also jotted down 10 helpful things I learned while shooting along the coast. Arrive early. I can’t emphasize this enough! I’ve arrived 30min before...
One Picturesque Day
The sixth, and second-to-last day of our incredible trip through California began with a hike to Rainbow Falls. What a majestic sight! I am used to the waterfalls of the East, the bubbling cascades along forest streams hidden away in lush valleys and moss-covered...
Pushing Pause
Let me push pause on the California Loop for a sec to mention some quick announcements about some of the upcoming CAPTURE workshops. Put purpose into your summer vacation and consider the following: CAPTURE Alaska’s $100 Early Registration discount ends today....
Take Out Tiny Distractions
By the 5th day of the California Loop, we were getting pretty tired, but we were experiencing more than ever the incredible diversity of California. From Death Valley, the lowest point in North America, we drove toward the towering Sierra Nevadas to see Mt....
A Typical Progression
On the fourth day of the California Loop, we drove from San Diego to Death Valley National Park. I was lazy and didn’t feel like getting up early, so I missed whatever sunrise opportunity there may have been on our last day on the Pacific coast. But what I saw out...
Why I Don’t Like Blown-Out Highlights
On the third day of our trip, we traveled from LA to San Diego. We happened to be close by Torry Pines State Beach when the golden hour set it, so we decided to stop in for sunset. A friend of mine who we were visiting recommended this place (among other places) as...
Traveling Down the Coast
On the second day of this week’s road trip, we drove down the California coast from Santa Cruz to Los Angeles. We took a stroll through a stand of beautiful redwood trees at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in the morning while the light was still ambient. I really...
Little Things Make A Big Difference
My brother Jonathan, a friend Clayton and myself are taking a trip through California this week! I’m calling our little vacation “The California Loop” because we are traveling down along the coast from Sacramento to San Diego, and then back up again to Sacramento...
Meet the Sacramento Photography Team
Just finished up the Sacramento Event Photography Workshop! Here are a few pictures of the photography team and a brief overview of what we talked about each day before putting what we learned into practice by shooting assignments throughout the four days of the...
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What are we up to?
Follow along with Lenspiration travels…
Calendar season is in full swing!
Original calendars are shipping, I`m working on Personalized orders almost every day, and I`ve been enjoying helping other photographers get their photos ready for their Artist calendars!
To keep the momentum going, I decided to offer a mid-season sale . . .
🎉 This weekend only, get free shipping on orders of 25+ Original or Personalized calendars, until Monday, Oct. 19, using the coupon code 2027SHIPFREE. It`s the only bulk-order sale I plan to offer this year, so don`t miss it! 🎉
Order calendars at lenspiration.com/original
I had heard enough about Nubble Light to get up at 3am to drive a few hours from where I was staying in New Hampshire to the Maine coast to photograph it at sunrise! That was back in 2015, and was my first time to Maine. A few minutes after this photo was taken, the sky erupted in vivid pink, but I still come back to this photo as my favorite for it`s quite drama and illusion of movement in the blurred waves.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#mainecoast #nubblelight #landscapephotography #shutterspeed #lighthouse
Time to get back to posting pretty pictures! The Art Show, Lenspiration stuff, and the 2027 Calendars are funny to post about, but hearing about those things is probably not the reason you`re following this account. 😊 So, let`s head out to Minnesota on a frigid, February morning! I had flown into Minneapolis the night before, picked up a rental car, and started driving north in preparation for shooting a wedding in Fargo. I car camped in a Walmart parking lot half way, and got up before dawn to drive the rest of the way. As the sky started to get light, I began looking for an exist that might offer something interesting to photograph. Nothing presented itself on that flat, endless prairie of western Minnesota. I took a random exit, knowing I had no more time left before the sun would came up. Then, out of nowhere, this fantastic old schoolhouse appeared next to the road not a minute`s drive from the Interstate! Needless to say, I rushed to find a pleasing composition before waiting only a few minutes to snap this shot of the sun peeping up over the horizon in just the perfect spot.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#landscapephoto #behindtheshot #storytime #sunrisephotography #minnesota
Wrapped up the festival with 1st place in our division in the parade, thanks to my brothers help decorating our family fan. 🤗 First time ever for Lenspiration to be in a parade!
The Lenspiration 2027 calendars have arrived!! I`m starting to put them in the mail beginning TODAY! So excited to get them into your hands. 🎉
Haven`t ordered yours yet?! Place your order at link in bio.
New blog post! The Apple Butter Festival Art Show is around the corner, and I intentionally curated the gallery to showcase 40 photos from 40 different states. Here are some clues on guessing the states! Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
We just launched October`s photo assignment, and our goal this month is simply to work with a family you know to take their family photos.
Whether you have done a family photo shoot or not, don`t worry! We will guide you through the assignment with ease. When you’re finished, you’ll be genuinely glad you took the time to complete it.
View details at link in bio.
All frames and prints have arrived! Now to assemble all 30bof them . . . before the @salemwvofficial Apple Butter Festival art show begins next Thursday!
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#westvirginia, #festival, #applebutter #salemwv #diyart
New blog post! Discover simple, practical snack ideas that make travel days smoother and healthier. These easy, packable options keep you energized whether you’re commuting, road‑tripping, or heading out for a full day of photography. Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Take a close-up look at the Lenspiration 2027 Calendar physical proof with me! 🎉Pre-order your calendars NOW to be included in the first batch of shipping!
✅ View pre-order link in bio.
Why visit a landscape photography art gallery? Here are at least 8 ideas....
1. An invitation to slow down
2. You experience similar feelings to being at iconic places... without the travel
3. A mini vacation without leaving town
4. Expands knowledge of places you didn`t know existed
5. A worshipful mood for magnifying the Creator, Jesus Christ!
6. Generates conversation about far off places and interesting subjects
7. Broadens appreciation for detail, color combinations, and photographic composition
8. Helps discover or refine your own tastes
Why would you visit an art show? Let me know in the comments!
Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#artshow #fineartgallery #landscapephotography #creationproclaims #seetheworld
I`ve been preparing for the Apple Butter Festival Art Show in October and needed a shot that said "Wisconsin". I had some generic scenic photos from across the state, and no photos of cheese. But when I started playing around with this round barn image that I originally intended to be documentary, it really started to grow on me. I took it in the middle of the day, on the way home from attending church, almost as an after thought. It was even in late October, after the leaves had fallen, a bad time of year for color. But the light, composition, and dramatic clouds all worked together to pull it out of the forgotten archives and into my gallery portfolio! And if you didn`t already know, Wisconsin has the most round barns of any state in the US, and speaks heavily of the rich dairy heritage of the area.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#onlyinwisconsin #roundbarn #fineartgallery #storybehindthephoto #behindtheshot
I`ve been printing calendars since 2009, and there`s something very interesting that I`ve discovered.
I always included a verse of Scripture and the lyrics of a nice hymn on each month. “What a great way to share God’s Word and connect with my neighbors in a meaningful way!” I thought.
Some neighbors took them courteously with a smile. Some neighbors opened right up and we would talk for half an hour or more! “You mean, you took these photos?” they would ask in surprise.
The reason friends and neighbors connect so well is because it’s not just a regular calendar. It’s an “I-know-the-photographer” calendar. It gives neighbors a glimpse of who I am, what I do, and what I’m like.
📷 And you can do the same, with your friends and family, or in your community, with Artist’s Calendars! 📷 View details at link in bio!
As photographers and artists who are Christians, every time we share our work, we offer a small, concentrated glimpse of God’s glory as it has been revealed to us. And in sharing it, we invite others to pause, to wonder, and to recognize the fingerprints of the Creator woven into the ordinary and the extraordinary alike.
Wow. What an opportunity for us photographers to use our skill, our talents, our art—for the glory of God!
Whether it’s through a calendar, or if you share your photos in another way, be encouraged to let your photography act as an avenue of God’s beauty and the reality of Christ in you to the world around you.
Interested in printing your photos in a calendar? Learn more at link in bio.
#artistscalendar #printyourphotos #fineartphotographer #calendarforartists #christianphotographer #christianartist #customcalendar
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching next Tuesday! Register at link in bio.
Uncle David came over to help Mordecai and I put together a sign for the Apple Butter Festival Art Show! #applebutterfestival2026 #applebutterfestival #artistatwork #workingwithkids #onlyinwv
New blog post! The journey to my first ever fine-art exhibit has been pretty crazy. But the purpose behind it is so fulfilling. Read more at link in bio!
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Become a photographer: www.lenspiration.com
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#artexhibit
#fineartphotography
#salemwv
#landscapephotographer
#wvphotographer
@salemwvofficial
A snapshot that encapsulates the fun Mordecai had on a farm with friends the other weekend. 🤗 #farmlife #familyfun #funonthefarm #fruitoflabor #akidslife
