Where: Mammoth Caves National Park, KY

On our drive back to Iowa from Tennessee, we stopped by Mammoth Caves National Park in Kentucky. While a substantial part of the park was closed due to Covid, we still managed to do a tour of the main room of the caves. There was very low light in the caves and flash photography was prohibited, so this shot was taken as a handheld long exposure of a ranger passing in front of one of the few lights in the caves. (Find it here on my shop)

Where: White Sands National Park, NM

This is another of my favorite shots from this White Sands trip. The distinct curvy waves of the sand juxtaposed against the wispy clouds in the sky is the part that jumps out to be the most. This piece is entitled, “Organic Geometry” and find it here on my shop.

Where: White Sands National Park, NM

For similar reasons as Organic Geometry, this shot of a yucca plant surrounded by perfect sandy waves makes for a popular shot. The beautiful, intricate lines carved in the sand never ceases to amaze me each time I visit. Find it on my shop here.

Where: White Sands National Park, NM

Here is a behind the scenes shot of Adit from that trip. I love the expanse of white sand contrasted against his bright sweater. Brings back lovely memories.

Where: Hatch, NM

Shortly after moving to New Mexico, Adit and I took the weekend to visit Saguaro National Park in Tucson. On the drive there, we passed through Hatch, New Mexico. As the sun was setting, the clouds had separated into these incredible streaks creating rows and rows of glorious sunbeams. I couldn’t help but stop to take some shots.

Where: Saguaro National Park, AZ

Snapped this shot as the sun was setting over the Tucson desert in Saguaro National Park. Nothing says American Southwest quite like the silhouettes of Saguaro cacti, layers of mountains in the distance, and the whole thing bathed in a beautiful pastel orange glow. (Find it here on my shop)

Where: Saguaro National Park, AZ

A little later on the same day, the same clouds turned vivid pinks and purples as the sun set, warming the desert landscape in a pink glow. Southwest sunsets never fail to disappoint. (Find it here on my shop)

Where: Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

For my birthday Memorial Day weekend, Adit and I made a trip up to souther Colorado to visit Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks. Having already been to White Sands and Indiana Dunes, I expected similar landscapes. However I was surprised by the towering dunes of Great Sand Dunes with Star Dune reaching 755ft tall. I loved this photo for the sense of grandness and scale of the tiny silhouetted person dwarfed by the vast landscape. This piece is entitled “Dune Solitary” and find it here on my shop.

Where: Alamosa, CO

Upon leaving Great Sand Dunes, Adit and I drove west toward Gunnison, CO. Along the way, I shot this photo of the tree from the road as we drove by. The picture perfect clouds lining the sky, with the lightning struck tree backed with the Rocky Mountains, doesn’t get more Colorado. Find it here on my shop.

Where: Garden of the Gods, CO

A few weeks later, we made a visit to Denver and Colorado Springs where we made a stop at Garden of the Gods. It was stormy that weekend and we even got some snow. I captured this monument with a wide angle lens to accentuate the height against the dramatic clouds. Find it here on my shop.

Where: Albuquerque, NM

On Fourth of July, we were in the midst of a dramatic monsoon season in Albuquerque. Taken with a long exposure, I managed to catch a bolt in the same shot with a colorful firework, almost as if Mother Nature was taking part in the light-show.

Where: Albuquerque, NM

This shot is one of my favorite lightning shots of all time. The bolt framed by the swirling storm clouds, illuminated rain, and silhouetted Sandias, doesn’t get much better as a photographer. (Find it here on my shop)

Where: Big Bend National Park, TX

A last minute excursion that introduced us to one of our favorite parks. For Labor Day weekend, we had planned to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park, however, after we saw that severe thunderstorms were forecasted for the entire weekend, we made a spontaneous 5 hour journey south to Big Bend. This was taken in the Chisos Mountains. I loved the illuminated rain and the silhouetted spiky mountains.

Where: White Sands National Park, NM

A favorite shot, and one created largely unintentionally. While waiting for sunset at a spot I had staked out for the last hour, another couple entered the frame. This man — who coincidentally has the same name as my partner — situated himself perfectly centered in my shot. Though initially irritated, I came to love the shot, reminding me of a scene from one of my favorite books, DUNE by Frank Herbert. Naturally, I had to the title the piece “DUNE” after its inspiration. Find it here on my shop.

OCTOBER

Where: Arches National Park, UT

Taken at dawn, I love this shot of the Delicate Arch because it’s unconventional. You can’t see the details of the arch, but the silhouette is undeniably recognizable. The beautiful sunrise gradient and flecks of stars in the sky is just the cherry on top.

Where: Green River, UT

Driving out of Moab, we passed through Green River. The clouds were spectacular that day and I managed to snap this shot out the window. As a Lord of the Rings fan, the structure of the front mesa reminded me of Mines Tirith, which just made the shot all the better. Find it here on my shop.

Where: Dead Horse Point State Park, UT

On stop 2 of our Utah road-trip was Dead Horse Point State Park. I found it to be such an underrated state park, and the layers of mesas to be so captivating.

Where: Canyonlands National Park, UT

Stop 3 of the Utah roadtrip was Canyonlands National Park. As Arches NP’s lesser known brother, this park had so much to offer. This park is massive and much of the park is off-road accessible only, but even the more easily accessible parts were spectacular. This shot was taken at sunset at Mesa Arch. The arch itself was beautiful and the window into a lovely landscape view of the surrounding desert was even better.

Where: Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Stop 4 was Capitol Reef National Park. A relatively unknown park that is absolutely stunning in the fall. From the incredible unique landscape, to the orchards, historic cabins, and wildlife, Capitol Reef did not disappoint. My favorite shot from my trip was this framed shot of two horses grazing. This piece is entitled “Horses in Frame” and you can find it here on my shop.

Where: Otter Creek State Park, UT

Found along the way from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon, Otter Creek is a little gem in the mountains. With the stormy clouds adding to the mood, the fall colors reflected in the lake set the scene. We ended up stopping here for food and a quick rest before continuing on and it will always live fondly in my memory.

Where: Otter Creek State Park, UT

This is a picture of Adit standing on the pier in Otter Lake. It was such a moment of pure happiness and excitement, it’s hard not to look fondly back on this day.

Where: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

The Bryce Canyon Amphitheater: one of the most if not the most iconic view in the whole park. When we arrived in the park that morning, the fog was so thick you couldn’t see 5 ft in front of you. We thought the day was a goner so we decided to do some hikes and appreciate the cool weather. However, as the morning progressed, the fog lifted slowly slowly to reveal this beautiful soft light blanketing the park. Truly stunning and one of my favorite road trip moments ever. Find it here on my shop.

Where: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

I took this just a few hours after the amphitheater shot, once the sun decided to finally wake up. I loved the way just a little bit of sunlight made the rock glow and the orange-blue contrast just sealed the deal for me. Find it here on my shop.

NOVEMBER

Where: Natural Bridges National Monument, UT

Deciding one Utah trip simply wasn’t enough, we headed back out in November, hoping to hit a few different destinations this time. First stop: Natural Bridges National Monument. While the surplus of deer is absolutely a hazardous obstacle course if you come into the park at night, the views and peaceful emptiness of the park is worth the trip. This was taken at Owachomo Bridge. Despite being the smallest of the 3 bridges at this park, it towers over you and arcs in the sky like a red rainbow.

Where: Natural Bridges National Monument, UT

This is Sipapu Bridge, the largest of the 3 bridges at Natural Bridges. This was probably my favorite to hike to — it involved several metal run ladders and stairs. The beautiful weather and lovely views made for a great shot through the window of the bridge. Find it here on my shop.

Where: Wilson Arch, UT

On theme with the other bridges, Wilson Arch was a stop made along the way. Located just off the main road it’s a popular spot for photography and climbing. Despite the quick detour up, I managed to snag this cool shot of Adit framed in the arch with a bird flying overhead.

Where: Antelope Canyon, AZ

Antelope Canyon has to be one of my favorite places I’ve visited. The saturated reds and oranges of the Navajo sandstone were breathtakingly beautiful. And yet for this shot I opted to grayscale. I loved the way the black and white enhanced the gradients and the softness of the stone and created a calm and soothing capture. Find it here on my shop.

DECEMBER

Where: Laguna Mountains, CA

This photo was shot from a plane over Southern California, shoot-out to Southwest Air for the scenic views. Luckily I had my camera with me for this one. The layers upon layers of mountains, topped with some low hanging clouds made for quite the picturesque shot. Find it here on my shop.

Where: Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, Washington D.C.

Having spent most of the year out in the wilderness, we thought a trip out to a city would be nice for the holidays. While Covid discouraged most indoor exploration, we managed to find some views outside. One of our destinations was the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. A long exposure at blue hour created this beauty.

Where: Union Station, Washington D.C.

I’ve entitled this one “Going Places” for obvious reasons. While the pillars of Union station are infuriatingly asymmetrical, I still love this shot of anonymous motion. You can find it here on my shop.

Where: L’Enfant Plaza Station, Washington D.C.

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good leading line and it doesn’t get better that a quadrant grid of black and white. This long expo was taken handheld. The lines, the geometry, the gradients! All my favorite things. This pieces is aptly called “In Motion” and you can find it here on my shop.

Where: World Health Organization, Washington D.C.

A favorite from the D.C. trip, this one is called “Perspective.” The dark stormy clouds over the ominous jagged lines creates a harshness that the black and white only exaggerates. Who would think that the World Health Organization building could look so ominous. This one is called “Perspective” and you can find it here on my shop.