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!
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...
2015 Calendar: What Pictures Would You Choose?
Would you like to have a voice in the creation of the 2015 Lenspiration calendar? Believe it or not, I’m beginning work on it already. I’ve selected over 50 images from my portfolio but now you can help me narrow them down to the top 12 that would be best for a...
A New Computer
After replacing the hard drive last year and the bezel last month, there was only one thing left that I felt needed replaced on my workhorse Dell Studio XPS before I could say it felt like new again. Overheating. Have you ever had this problem on your laptop? It...
What to Know Before CAPTURE
Over the weekend, I got to spend some time with the Peters brothers on a photoshoot to Kent Falls State Park. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks here in Connecticut working on the 2015 CEF Calendar, MissionTalk design projects, Conference Photography prep . . ....
What it Takes to Run a Business
Ever heard of Dave Stelzl of Raising Entrepreneurs? He’s played a significant role in Lenspiration behind-the-scenes for the past few years and I am always challenged by his perspective and insight on helping folks develop their talents and God-given passions...
The Beauty of God
Enough posts about updates and opportunities. Let’s enjoy some new desktop background and some spiritually thought-provoking perspective on beauty. I chose the following images from an excursion to the West Coast a while back because they hint especially well of...
How Close Are You to Indianapolis?
By car, Indianapolis is 4.5 hours or less from 8 surrounding states. By plane, practically every state in the US is close. Join us for the CAPTURE Indiana photography workshop from May 7-10. The Verity Institute campus, set apart in the quite countryside half an...
Learn, Practice, and Master Successful Event Photography
When one has both good and bad news, it’s better to start with the bad, right? Well, CAPTURE Texas has been canceled due to the fact that the minimum number of photographers was not reached by the Early Registration Deadline. Sad indeed, but it’s better to...
Texas Workshop Rescheduled!
Important update here: as of yesterday, the CAPTURE Texas workshop has been rescheduled to April 16-19. This is two weeks later than originally planned. There are currently 4 spots available, so if you’re schedule didn’t allow the opportunity to come with the...
Map of CAPTURE Quebec Covered Bridges
When I went to Quebec in February, I scouted out quite a few covered bridges. Not all of them were exactly picturesque at the time of year I visited, but they all had great potential for various seasons and weather conditions. We only visited two of the five I...
Shooting for Your Goal
With CAPTURE Texas coming up in just a little over 3 weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes the CAPTURE workshops different than other workshop out there. Why am I so confident that it’s worth every dollar invested? What would make me willing to pay $450...
From the Other Photographers’ Perspective
Photos by Dr. Robert Frazer Thanks to the Frazer Family, CAPTURE Quebec was the largest workshop yet! It was neat to see everyone’s skill level increasing each day, and I was practically running out of things to talk about by the end of the class. :) I...
How to Stay Warm Shooting in the Cold
Shooting in Quebec in February was a very cold experience. It was around –15 degrees Celsius on average in the mornings. This equates to 5 degrees in Fahrenheit. So, yes, it was cold. How do you stay warm? We all know the basics: dress in layers, wear cloths that...
Last Day for Early Registration
I enjoyed my time in Quebec so much that there was practically no time to keep my blog updated! I’m looking forward to sharing many pictures and tips from the event. But before I jump in, I just wanted to mention the fact that the $50 Early Registration discount...
The Luxury of Color
We have scouted over a dozen places surrounding Shurbrooke the past few days in preparation for CAPTURE Quebec. Can’t believe it starts today! Though we have visited many locations when it was cloudy and snowy, it was nice to visit a few places when the sun was...
Great Expectations
Like Charles Dickens' unassuming and endearing character Pip, I do my best to keep a realistic perspective in the face of considerable prospects. However, it’s hard to stay calm and down-to-earth when researching shooting locations for an event like CAPTURE Quebec....
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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
