Photography

Today is the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Besides the opportunity for stunning fall photography as the leaves change color, and the sky turns bluer, it’s harvest time. And that means making and eating delicious treats like caramel apples, cider, pumpkin pie, and putting up …

One of the beauties of summer in Colorado are the sunflower fields. Sunflowers are a popular farm crop here in the Centennial State. And about early August, you can see vast fields of sunflowers dotting the eastern plains. Once the fields are fully grown, a creative outing to make some stunning sunflower photos is a …

Tomorrow is the first day of summer. Usually I’d celebrate the occasion with a trip to Colorado’s stunning Rocky Mountains. Heading up to the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway has often been on my first day of summer list. But this year, the Mt. Evans Road will not open and I won’t be able to make …

Everyone wants to look better in pictures. I can’t even count the number of times I have had people tell me they want me to make them look thinner, taller, younger and just better. And, of course, they’re sure that I can and will employ some sort of digital magic that will magically make it …

I am all about a great road trip. And, as a photographer, scenery counts. I’ve made a lot of beautiful and interesting scenic drives over the years, but there is none that compares to California’s Pacific Coast Highway. As much as I love I-70 between I-15 and Denver, especially the part through the Colorado’s Rocky …

Point Lobos State Natural Preserve in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, has always been one of my favorite places. And since I became a photographer, I love it even more. I recently spent a day hiking nearly every one of the trails between Gibson Beach and Whaler’s Cove. As both a nature lover and a photographer, I was …

When my husband and I got married 34 years ago, we spent our honeymoon traveling California’s Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego to the Russian River. We’ve always talked about a repeat journey, but somehow it just never happened. Until this summer. Some unexpected family events allowed us some time away from work and other …

Having a photograph to remember your entire family reunion group, your graduating class or your wedding party is priceless. But if you’ve ever tried taking a large group portrait, you know it’s not easy. To successfully photograph large groups, professional photographers prepare well in advance. Choosing your setting carefully and choosing the right backdrop or …

Macro photography may be one of the most fascinating but least understood genres of photography. While it may sound scientific and complicated, macro photography is a term many photographers use for extreme close-up photography. Technically speaking, it refers to photographs where the subjects are photographed between 1/10 life-size and actual life size. For example, photographing …

The Colorado National Monument has always been one of my favorite Western Slope destinations. Though I pass by often, I don’t get to visit as much as I like. So, when we decided to head to Grand Junction for a getaway it was on top of my list. Most of the images you see in …

  Last weekend was the official start of summer. Usually that means sunny days and warm temperatures. So we decided to celebrate the start of summer with a getaway to Colorado’s Grand Mesa. We travel through this part of Colorado regularly, passing the Grand Mesa signs and gazing at it wistfully from I-70 as we …

  What do May flowers bring? Happy photographers, of course (and you thought I was going to say Pilgrims!). Now that we are fully into spring, there are beautiful blooms everywhere I look in Colorado. With a warm and sunny forecast, it was time for me to get out and photograph those may flowers while …

Winter in Colorado is a most amazing season. Everything changes under our annual blanket of ice and snow. I love adventuring and exploring all over Colorado, and seeing how it changes with the change of seasons. A couple of winters ago, we planned a January outing to Gunnison, Colorado. Unfortunately, there was so much snow …

Winter is a great time to get and take photos—if you’re prepared.  Yes, you can safely use your camera outdoors in wintry weather.  And with these simple tips, you can have more fun and get better photos while enjoying winter. Marie’s 10 Winter Photography Tips 1.Dress properly.  It’s no fun to be cold. I admit …

I’ve been using Photoshop since I bought my first scanner back in 1992, when I discovered the power to retouch and restore old photographs. I was a quick convert to the software and it has been an essential part of my photography workflow ever since. When the digital photography era arrived, and I made the …

I love waterfalls. Perhaps it’s from growing up in semi-arid San Diego and spending most of my early travels in the desert Southwest. Or perhaps it’s just marveling at the power of water and the beauty of falling water. I’ve yet to meet a waterfall I didn’t fall in love with. A couple of years …

If I had to pick one question that I have been asked more over the years than any other, it would be “What kind of camera should I buy?” That question isn’t as simple as it might look. I have to ask you a lot of questions back to figure out what kind of camera …

One of my projects for this year is to scan all my old slides. I spent my first 20+ years as a photographer shooting with slide film except for client work. I also have everything from my husband’s and my growing up years and then some. There are about 12,000-14,000 slides to sort and scan. …

Everybody wants great and fun family portraits. But going to a photography studio or hiring pro isn’t always an option. And there’s no shame in that. You can make fabulous and fun family portraits yourself. Here are some of my top tips for making your own great portraits. I know they work because not only …