2025 Photography in Review
This year had been quite different from many in the recent past. While there were some deep lows, there were also some incredible milestones. More than I could have imagined, it humbled me and stretched me in many ways. I spent a lot of time advancing my photography through school assignments, organizing conferences, attending art fairs, and teaching photography. While I thoroughly enjoyed each of those endeavors, it offered me very little time to photograph for myself for the simple pleasure of it. These many personal and professional milestones kept me close to home most of the year.
I’d like to share with you my most favorite images from 2025. This isn’t necessarily a collection of “best of” or “best sellers” but they personally fulfilled me in different ways. They reflect a favorite moment, a special journey, or a lesson learned. The images I’m sharing here are all made within a few hours of my home here in Durango, Colorado. I hope you enjoy.
“Bubbles and Spikes” The first image I’m sharing is the first one of this 2025 collection and earliest one made. It was created along a creek-bed in Rocky Mountain National Park where I spent hours observing the many details of ice.
“The Treasured Trio” It’s always been a ritual of mine to go out after a storm and photograph…and often before and during as well since I do adore moody weather and the photography possibilities. These types of conditions fill my soul. On a beautiful morning in the San Juan National Forest, I sat in my car in the dark waiting for the rain to let up and hoping for the skies to open up.
This is one of a new black and white collection that I will be releasing in 2026.
“Summit Assembly” It’s easy to get wrapped up in chasing seasons and the prospect of perfect weather or light. That mindset can hold you back and lesson your opportunity to create work. This photograph was made in the late afternoon when not much was happening in the sky. There was no beautiful sunset, blast of color, or awe-inspiring clouds. What drew me to this scene was the repeated layers in the distance and the pine trees in the foreground. It was perfectly suited for creating a photograph using a multiple exposure technique using three images at different focal lengths to mimic and accentuate the layers.
“Vitality” The in-between seasons where one hasn’t arrived, and the other hasn’t completely departed, is a treasure trove of photographic opportunity and one that I’m particularly drawn to for its unique possibilities.
“Spring Bliss” Working on my degree made it difficult to disconnect from a computer to travel and camp. This was created on one of the very few afternoons I was able to car camp in the San Juans. Though this scene wasn’t very far from where I was camped, it was a bit of a tricky bush-whack to get to it. This area is filled with rock that’s blanketed with beautiful greenery hiding the uneven terrain and holes that can break your ankles.
“Land of Many Moons” One early morning, I went out to complete an assignment for school, and while the moon was shining high in the distance and mirroring the soft and inviting color along the horizon, the rest of the scene wasn’t calling to me. I decided to have some fun with creative play. This photograph is made from seven images taken at different focal lengths and compositions then stacked in-camera.
“Outlier” The San Juan National Forest draws people from all over the world excited to lay eyes on the colors of fall. This year, I spent a week photographing with some friends. We base-camped in the Ridgway area and made our morning and evening adventures from there. While our beautiful mountains have always lured me to their grandeur, I’m always acutely aware of what is going around and below them. This year, I was particularly drawn to the colorful hillsides and frosty brush in the fields below.
“Foggy Fringe” Several scouting trips were made in anticipation of sharing the beauty of this area with visiting photographers. This morning was a rare scene. The low-lying clouds were hanging around after a storm providing a foggy backdrop that perfectly framed the brightly colored terrain.
“Not Peak Colors” Sometimes people become so consumed with that exact time when fall colors are “at peak” that other photographic opportunities become overlooked. I quite adore this time of year.
“Organized Chaos” Groves of Aspen trees are one of my favorite places to wander during light rainstorms. The creative possibilities are endless.
“Sweet Simplicity” The fresh snow created a simple, frugal scene that could otherwise be chaotic. This blanket of snow covers all of the "imperfections" that would have caused me to look past this scene. I also love the way light and color reflect off of the tiny frozen droplets. This image was made in the evening when the sky was lit up with beautiful hues of pink.
“So Much to Love” I just simply love this scene at Vallecito Reservoir on a beautiful morning after a late storm in April.