The photography journey, in words

Journal

Evergreen stories, field notes, gear experiences, and lessons gathered while learning to see more clearly.

Showing all 11 entries

Sailors aboard a racing yacht in Marina del Rey

The Long Way Around to the Wind

Years after bookmarking a Marina del Rey sailing co-op, I finally showed up. One summer later, maintenance days, racing crews, and a widening community have changed how I spend my time.

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Portrait photographed by Aidan Blant

Upgrading to the Canon EOS RP

After nearly a decade with my Canon Rebel XS, I finally made the jump to full-frame mirrorless. This post covers why I upgraded, my first impressions, and what changed the moment I picked it up.

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A photograph from Aidan Blant's archive

Why I Switched to Mirrorless

Mirrorless wasn't just a technology upgrade—it changed the way I photograph. Here I'll compare the experience of using the Rebel XS with the EOS RP after years of shooting.

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Coco Lavelle skating at an outdoor rink

Photographing Coco Rollerblading at Sunset

My first portrait session with Coco combined movement, rollerblading, and golden-hour light. It became a turning point in my confidence photographing people without losing the energy of the moment.

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A lone figure overlooking the Grand Canyon

Building a Photography Portfolio

Choosing what not to include is just as important as taking good photographs. I'll discuss how I curate collections, sequence images, and think about presenting work online.

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A carefully composed bird of paradise photograph

Editing Less and Trusting the Camera

As my photography improves, I've found myself relying less on editing and more on getting the image right in-camera. This post explores that shift and why restraint often produces stronger photographs.

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Colorful public art in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

Favorite Places to Shoot in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has far more variety than people give it credit for. I'll keep an evolving list of locations that consistently produce interesting light, architecture, portraits, and landscapes.

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A sunlit courtyard in Cordoba, Spain

Photographing Spain

Spain marked the first time I intentionally traveled with photography as one of the goals rather than simply taking vacation snapshots. Looking back at the trip, I can see the beginning of the style I'm still developing today.

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A person framed through a circular art installation

Learning to Photograph Strangers

Walking up to someone with a camera is often harder than taking the photo itself. This post is about getting comfortable approaching people and how every conversation makes the next one easier.

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