2020 was nuts!  I don’t need to repeat what all of us have already lived–it was different, to say the least.  My bubble included others:  we climbed all over each other; we participated (willing or unwilling) in each others teleconferences and online seminars; we walked the wheels off the dog together; we ate together; and we generally became closer than ever.  In that way, I was lucky.  Being part of a group, however, also meant more responsibility for each other.  We each gave up some personal freedoms to ensure the safety of the other.  For me, that meant not engaging clients one-on-one or in groups (even if it was outside).  Combined with an economy that was largely on pause for several months, it was a challenging business environment and I wasn’t proactive or prescient enough to have video and/or online educational opportunities as part of my business offerings to take advantage of the “new normal.”

After the initial shutdowns, National Parks did reopen and the general advice from leadership and experts was to stay local, get outside, find some fresh air and space, and continue the social distancing and masking.  As someone who works largely on public lands, my place of work changed drastically in 2020!  On one hand, it was nice to see so many people getting back to camping, hiking and enjoying the beauty of the natural world.  On the other hand, it became increasingly difficult to find solitude and creative space, especially mentioning my personal desire to stay safe and protect those in my personal bubble.

On a positive note, I have more to be grateful for than the opposite.  I had everything I needed this year and while my little photography business essentially hit “pause” in 2020, a lot of great people and organizations reached out and opportunities were made available.  From dipping my toe into architectural photography to re-energizing some personal dreams like seeing my photographs in a printed book, the paths forward seem intriguing and not altogether lost.  I don’t have a ton of confidence if I’m being forthright, but I still enter this coming year hopeful and excited to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Below you’ll find some galleries recapping my activities behind the lens in 2020, my seventh year as a full-time outdoor photographer.  I wish health and happiness to you and yours over this holiday season and into the New Year!  Thank you for all of the opportunities this past year to share my vision of the world with you.  I appreciate you.

When Covid became a reality and travel plans were cancelled, I channeled all of my energies into my local projects, namely photographing the wildflowers along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Northern Virginia.  I spent most of my time between Great Falls National Park, Riverbend Regional Park, and Seneca Regional Park, each sharing sections of the PHT trail along the Potomac River.  It was really amazing to have such beauty and diversity so close to the house.  While I missed the more exotic travels I usually make to the Southern Appalachians, there was a convenience to the short drive and a fulfillment to finding such abundance in a rapidly urbanizing place.  From the tightly wrapped Bloodroot flowers, to the comical Dutchman’s Breeches, to the color-changing Virginia Bluebells, it was a very satisfying period of macro photography for me.  Unfortunately, even these local parks would close due to Covid restrictions.

Things stagnated for me during the summer of 2020.  I put down the camera for a long period.  When the autumn color season started rounding into shape, I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to go out.  Reports of crowds and nonchalance towards Covid in general in the southern U.S. wasn’t attractive to me.  A unique set of circumstances got me out:  early and intense color developed in isolated pockets and several days of rain kept the trails and campgrounds empty of people.  I motored into the Blowing Rock, NC area in October, found a campsite at Julian Price Memorial Park, and waited for the rain.  The patter of drops on the nylon ceiling of my tent meant it was go time!  Thick fog, incredibly damp conditions, and warm temperatures created an exceptionally beautiful set of autumn conditions.  Unfortunately, my camera–now 5+ years old–had a failure in the weather sealing.  The interior of my camera became saturated and virtually unusable.  Usually, a drying out process returns everything back to baseline.  This time, not so.  My trip was cut even shorter than planned as a result.  When I couldn’t find any Nikon D850’s for sale with the internet retailers (B&H, Adorama, etc.), I drove back to my local camera store and bought one in-person.  Of course, days later B&H got some back in stock and lowered the price to boot–isn’t that just how it always goes!

Happy New Year!

Health and happiness to you and yours into the New Year.  Thank you!