2024: A Year of Photographic Adventures and Unforgettable Moments
What a year 2024 has been! Another 365 days filled with incredible photographic opportunities, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. Instead of just sharing my usual curated photo collections, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of adventures Jennifer and I embarked on this past year.
Winter's Magic: Yellowstone and Death Valley
We kicked off the year amidst the breathtaking winter landscapes of Yellowstone National Park. While winter in Yellowstone is always a magical experience, this year felt particularly special. The quality of light was extraordinary, and we were fortunate enough to have a once-in-a-lifetime wolf encounter. I won't dwell on it too much here, as I've already shared the details in my blog post: Winter Wonder.


From the frigid Yellowstone, we journeyed to the stark beauty of Death Valley National Park. Exploring hidden canyons and witnessing ephemeral conditions that we may never see again was truly awe-inspiring. You can delve deeper into our Death Valley adventure and view a collection of 100 of my images in this post: The Winter of Wonders: Death Valley 2023-2024.


California Dreaming: Big Sur and Monterey
Next, we headed north to the stunning Monterey Peninsula. We had the privilege of teaching at the Out of Big Sur conference and exploring this iconic coastline. It's easy to see why legendary photographers like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston made this area their home, the photographic opportunities are endless! A highlight of our time there was undoubtedly the tour of the Adams' and Weston's homes and darkrooms. Standing in Ansel Adams' darkroom, with John Sexton as our guide, was an incredibly inspiring and uplifting experience. It truly felt like walking through photographic history.


We made a brief return to Death Valley to lead a night photography workshop, catching one last glimpse of the ephemeral Lake Manly before it dried up in the summer. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing we were witnessing a fleeting natural wonder.

Chasing the Aurora: A Dance with the Northern Lights
May brought an unexpected and truly mind-blowing experience. We made a quick trip back to Yellowstone National Park to witness the Aurora Borealis during one of the strongest solar storms in recent history. Seeing the Northern Lights dance so far south was an unforgettable spectacle. Jennifer captured the magic beautifully in her ebook, A Night Under a Yellowstone Aurora. You can also view my gallery of images from that extraordinary night here: The Great Storm.

Grand Tetons
In June, we headed to the majestic Grand Tetons. I had the honor of teaching at the Out of Grand Teton conference, while Jennifer was busy running the entire event. Our schedules were packed, leaving little room for personal photography. However, amidst the whirlwind of teaching and organizing, I was able to steal a few moments to create this image.

Summer in the Rockies and Autumn Adventures
In July, we sought refuge in the mountains of Crested Butte, Colorado. While it wasn't our most photographically productive trip, we cherished the time spent hiking and simply enjoying the mountain air.

Our fall season started back in Yellowstone, where we led workshops amidst beautiful foggy conditions and enjoyed some much-needed downtime.


Then, our fall turned into an absolute whirlwind of epic proportions! We began with a visit to Mount Rainier National Park, a place that was completely new to us. We hiked, explored, and, of course, photographed this stunning landscape.


However, our time at Mount Rainier was cut short as the allure of the Aurora drew us back to Yellowstone once again. We witnessed some fantastic displays, though they didn't quite reach the intensity of the May event.


The Aurora chase continued! Another massive solar storm was predicted, and the only place with clear skies was Glacier National Park. Without hesitation, we embarked on the six-hour drive, and were we ever rewarded! What we witnessed that night in Glacier was likely the most incredible display of the Aurora we will ever see. It was a surreal, magical night that will forever be etched in our memories. Jennifer's ebook, A Night Under the Aurora in Glacier National Park, beautifully recounts the experience. I'm still working on releasing my full gallery from that night, but here's a little teaser image to whet your appetite.


Coastal Wonders and Desert Respite
From the northern lights, we transitioned to the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast. Photographing crashing waves, exploring lush forests, and discovering ephemeral sand patterns kept us busy and inspired.




After logging over 8,000 miles on the road, exhaustion started to set in. We needed a break, so we made a stop near Goblin Valley in Utah. Spending time with friends, exploring new canyons, and simply relaxing was the perfect antidote to our travel fatigue.


A Full Circle: Ending the Year in Death Valley
Finally, we found ourselves back in Death Valley to close out the year. While busy with workshops, we managed to carve out some personal time for exploration. Witnessing thousands of Pupfish thriving in their new homes after last year's flooding was a heartwarming sight. We also discovered some incredible salt formations in a remote area, a testament to the ever-changing nature of this unique landscape.




Looking Ahead to 2025
As I reflect on all the incredible adventures Jennifer and I shared this year, I'm filled with gratitude and excitement. It was a whirlwind of unforgettable moments, and we can't wait to see what 2025 has in store! Thank you for joining us on this journey.
What were some of your favorite adventures in 2024? Share them in the comments below! I'd love to hear about your experiences.
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