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!
Learning Photography at HEAV
There were plenty of things to take pictures of at the HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia) Convention this last weekend! But with a team of 10 photographers we had it covered! At 12,500 in attendance, it was the largest convention or conference I had been...
Great Thoughts on the Best Shots
“The learning is in the doing” was my theme for the Event Photography Workshop at the Family Conference in Nashville last week. And we certainly had plenty of opportunity to get some hands-on practice! With more than a thousand attending the Conference and with 3...
How to Shoot Overlooks
I had the opportunity to shoot quite a few beautiful vistas while I was down in western North Carolina last week. Terrestrial OceanBlue Ridge Parkway near Devil’s Courthouse, North Carolina The biggest challenge with shooting overlooks is creating depth. When...
5 Favorite Locations
I’ve been doing quite a bit of location research in preparation for CAPTURE California coming up here in June, from the 25th to the 28th. Whether or not you’ll be coming to the workshop, I thought I’d share the top spots I think are best for shooting in the...
The Day I Met a Pro
Something quite extraordinary happened to me the other day. As I travel around the country, I inherently notice if there are other photographers around. Sometimes it feels kind of odd to be walking around airports with a camera-backpack and tripod as my carry-on...
A Glimpse of North Carolina
After the CEF Conference, I headed south to Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, to do some scouting in preparation for the CAPTURE North Carolina workshop which will be held October 8-11 this year. I set up camp in the Black Balsam area, at the base of Sam...
Learned Something New Today Yet?
Summer travels have begun! This weekend finds me in Ridgecrest, North Carolina at the CEF International Conference. Having been here a few years ago, I knew of a nice overlook on the campus that I was able to drive out to right around sunset. Hadn’t ever been there...
Watch Your Focus!
This first shot was taken the other day as I was taking a walk through the woods with a friend. We were both enjoying the beautiful weather and spring smells as we chatted away. I had my camera with me and I was snapping shots here and there of the different things...
Free eBook!
Let me introduce you to my first eBook ever! 10 Camera Settings Every Photographer Should Know . . . Instinctively is a concise compilation of what I’ve found to be the foundation for making the most of your SLR camera. Subscribe to the Lenspiration updates to...
Can You Guess My Favorite State for Taking Pictures?
Where do you think my favorite state is to take pictures? Yes, the pictures below have probably already given it away, but where would you have guessed before now? Many of you will probably guess West Virginia, as my beloved home state boasts some awesome spots for...
The new Lenspiration.com is Live!
In case you haven’t already noticed, the new Lenspiration.com has been launched. The Lenspiration community can now begin! The appearance of the blog, the store, the portfolio, the wallpapers page . . . everything has been updated. Exciting times! But what makes me...
Big Change Coming
For a long time now, I’ve been working on making some big changes to Lenspiration. Since the beginning of 2013, I’ve had a desire to make Lenspiration more than just a design business or a place to look at pretty pictures. For over a year now, I’ve worked to branch...
The Photographers Behind Big Sandy
Photo by Daniel To view more pictures from the Big Sandy Event Photography track held last week, head over to the IBLP Google+ page! We photographers had a great time learning to jump out of our comfort zones to capture the student programs, the attending families...
Some Shots from Big Sandy
Here are just a few shots from the Event Photography Workshop this week! We had a great team of 15 photographers, not including assistants who helped out and parents who listened in. Everyone learned so much and it seemed to me that there wasn’t a single minute of...
ISO Makes a Difference
Did you see the lunar eclipse the other night? I had never seen one on a clear night before so I was pretty excited when I heard this one was rolling around. The only other one I had the opportunity to observe was on a relatively cloudy night so I only caught hazy...
Winter Hangs On
How strange it felt to put on my overcoat again to walk to work in glistening snow, knowing that it was the middle of April and having thought spring had finally arrived! It was t-shirt weather just a few days ago. This was what my backyard looked like on April 15...
Insights on Beauty
Have you ever thought about the verse in Genesis, “Out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight . . .” As a landscape photographer keeping an eye out for the intricate beauty around me, verses like this intrigue me and...
Indiana Deadline Is Today!
Today is April 7. And April 7 is the Early Registration Deadline for CAPTURE Indiana, which will be held just outside of Indianapolis from May 7-10. If you didn’t already know, this means that it’s the last day to take advantage of the $50 discount that you get...
What’s New This Year in Big Sandy
I’ve not posted much on the new opportunity at the 2014 ATI Family Conference in Big Sandy coming up in just a few weeks. I’ve eluded to it here and there, but there’s been so much interest within the current Conference registrants, that I’ve hardly had any time to...
Rules for Shooting People
In preparing for the Event Photography Workshop coming up in Big Sandy, Texas, later this month, I’ve been doing some research on general protocol for photographing people at events. Here are answers to four common questions: 1. What is standard protocol for...
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What are we up to?
Follow along with Lenspiration travels…
It’s been just over a week since pre-ordering opened on Lenspiration 2027 calendars, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has placed an order already! It means so much to us.
⏰ Special 10-day Celebration ends on Monday! ⏰
Here`s the DEAL: Anyone who pre-orders any quantity of Original or Personalized 2027 Calendars by August 31 will get 20% off the Lenspiration store* for the rest of 2026! 🎉
So don’t wait. Pre-order your 2027 Calendars by Monday and we’ll email you your 20% discount coupon!
🔗Pre-order at link in bio
*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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#PhotoCalendar #PhotographyLovers #FineArtPhotography #NaturePhotography #GodsCreation #BeautyOfCreation #FaithInspired #ChristianCreatives #ChristianGifts #HomeschoolFamily #HomeschoolLife #FamilyTraditions #IntentionalLiving #PreOrder #ShopSmall
New blog post! There`s plenty of adventure for a landscape photographer in the State of Connecticut! Here are 10 of the best landscape photography locations in Connecticut. . . Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Did you see the new, “Jesus, I Come” 2027 Calendar that launched last week?! It’s been encouraging to see pre-orders coming in already!
🎉Reminder: Anyone who pre-orders any quantity of Original or Personalized 2027 Calendars by August 31 will get 20% off the Lenspiration store* for the rest of 2026! 🎉
PRE-ORDER AT LINK IN BIO!
❓Did you know that you can take the Original calendar and get it personalized . . . for the exact same price?
Over the past several years, I’ve figured out how to incorporate custom elements on the calendar in an affordable way. And in small batches . . . like 25. You don’t have to order hundreds or thousands of calendars to get a bulk price! Churches, businesses, and ministries—small or large—can use them, sell them, or give them away to family, customers, or supporters without breaking the bank.
To keep processes streamlined and efficient, I’ve simplified the pricing structure this year so that there is no price difference between Personalized Calendars and the normal, Original Calendars.
So, if you or someone you know might be interested in personalizing calendars this year, now’s a great time to get the process going!
⏰ Place an order by August 31 and get 20% off the Lenspiration store for the rest of 2026! ⏰
*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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#ChristianFineArt #ChristianArt #ChristianCalendar #ScriptureArt #BibleArt #ChristianHymns #HymnArt #FaithAndArt #ChristianPhotography #GodsCreation #LandscapePhotography #ChristianHome #FaithFilledHome #BehindTheArt #ArtistStudio #ArtProcess #ChristianInspiration #ScriptureInspired #MeaningfulGifts #ChristianGifts
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.
