24 Favorites from 2024 | Northern California Photographer
The year isn’t quite over yet, but it’s that time of year when I like to look back over the previous year at my photography work searching for improvements, changes in my shooting and/or editing, and any other little subtleties in my work. This year, I noticed much fewer landscape photos, fewer macro, fewer ‘creative’ images. There are a lot more wildlife images, particularly birds. Overall, I took far fewer photos than in past years which is hard to believe because I took some amazing trips!
A Glimpse at 2024
I started the year with a trip to Klamath Falls with my friend, Beth. We went for the eagles, but we were a little early. Many had not arrived to the area yet. That did not stop us from getting some wonderful photos.
Shortly thereafter, I traveled the opposite direction and headed for Death Valley and the Alabama Hills to meet up with a group of people participating in the B-List Conference. I loved meeting so many talented, new-to-me photographers and came away with some wonderful photos and friends. During the spring months I kept close to home and participated in several photography meetups with some local groups as well as venturing out on my own.
By late spring, I was feeling ready to get back out a little farther from home. I took a road trip to Oregon and Washington, again hoping to photograph eagles. Success! In June I traveled to British Columbia to photograph loons and other wildlife. This was a most successful trip with lots of opportunities to photograph loons and other birds. July kept me closer to home shooting at the various wildlife refuges nearby and participating with the Northern California Women Photographers’ group in several outings.
In fall, I made it over to the coast several times. Fall is gorgeous on the coast… well, actually, I think fall is beautiful pretty much everywhere. My garden also provided plenty of subject matter to photograph. Also, Bryce National Park has been on my bucket list for some time, and I managed to make a quick trip there this fall. Like so many other places, I’m ready to go back! During late fall, we traveled along the Northern California coast. It’s a favorite location for sure with so many photo opportunities.
What’s after 2024?
Here it is almost 2025 and I haven’t locked in any photography trips as of yet. I’m still in the percolating stages trying to decide where to go, what to shoot. For the time being, I’m going to embrace shooting close to home.
I’m excited to be putting the finishing touches on a new Monthly Mentoring class. This will be small group mentoring in person held in various Northern California locations.
My Waterfalls & More workshop is being moved to spring. Although the waterfalls and fall color are incredible, spring should provide some amazing opportunities with more water flow and new spring growth. I’ve added two new locations to this workshop which I’m very excited about!
I’m grateful for all that photography has brought into my life - beautiful places, wonderful people, something new to learn (There’s always something to learn!), and an elevated awareness of the importance of nature conservation. Thank you for following along on my photography journey.
24 Favorites from 2024
Here’s a grid of the 24 (in no certain order) that made the list for various reasons. Are they truly my favorites? For today, yes. It was hard to exclude so many others! I included the grid, but also each photograph individually.
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It’s that time of year when I like to look back over the previous year at my photography work. Looking for improvements, changes in my shooting and/or editing, and any other little subtleties in my shooting.
The roads and trails close during the winter in Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park. But, if you'd like to snowshoe, cross-country ski, or walk the trails, you are welcome to do so.
I wonder how baking cookies for Christmas became such a strong tradition? Certainly, enjoying sweets with our family has been around for a long time.
The Mendocino Coast, tucked into the rugged northern California shoreline, exudes a timeless beauty that has captivated visitors for generations.
Among the spectrum of colors, blue holds a special significance for its tranquil, soothing, and often thought-provoking qualities.
After reading a post on making sugar cookies using Nordic Ware cookie stamps, I knew I had to give cookie press cookies a try. With a quick search in our local kitchen store…
Brown might not be the flashiest color, but it plays a vital role in capturing the earthy tones and textures of our natural world.
Roasting walnuts brings out the flavor, the oil, and mellows the taste of the skins. As with many of my still life photography subjects, they serve dual purposes.
A few years ago I decided to tackle the art of sourdough bread. I mixed up the 'starter' and fed it regularly until it was ready to be included in a recipe.
Wildlife photography surprises: I set out to photograph bears but discovered merganser birds instead. Learn about my unexpected adventure and tips for photographing waterfowl.
A few years ago when my friends decided to head to Leavenworth, WA to catch autumn leaves in all their glorious color, I just couldn't say 'no'. And, I'm so glad I made the trip.
A few years ago I visited Joshua Tree National Park after attending a photography conference in Death Valley in the late winter. It was the perfect time to extend my trip to Joshua Tree.
When I began learning photography, birds were not on my radar as subjects. People, nature, landscapes, still life, and general things of interest to me were my subjects. In fact, I’ve never really cared for birds. It might be because I was attacked by a rooster once upon a time.
I found the grounds of Arlington, the headstones, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to all be beyond my expectations. Watching the Honor Guard sentinels and the changing of the guards, knowing this occurs 24-7-365, is sort of hard to wrap my head around.
With the salty smell of the coast, the sounds of the squawking gulls, and the beautiful fading light, we enjoyed a serene time exploring the docks full of fishing boats.
A very popular subject for still life photography is food. In fact, many people would consider food photography a genre of its own. And, I can see why.
It’s past time to tear out the gardens - both the floral cutting garden and the vegetable garden. (My tomatoes are going crazy!!!) After all, it’s November! But, each time I go out to the garden and assess what I need to get started removing the old plants, I see bees, ladybugs, and butterflies. I just cannot begin to remove their food source.
As my interests evolved in photography subjects, I became interested in wildlife and, ultimately, birds. Because birds are everywhere, they are just such a great subject. Each year during the winter there are thousands of sandhill cranes in the valley who over-winter here.
The eastern Sierra is a huge draw in the autumn because of the beautiful fall color. From the rugged tufas and amazing fall color to the wild horses in the area, there is always an abundance to see and photograph this time of year.
If you know me, then you know I like to explore and photograph in cemeteries. I love looking at the dates on the headstones, putting together a possible story about the people who are there, what their lives were like, and how they spent their days.
Several years ago I spent time traveling America's Loneliest Highway to experience autumn color in Colorado. I just have to share some of these incredible views with you! I took a very long road trip to Colorado to see and shoot the fall color in October.
I was invited to be a guest on Grant Swinbourne’s podcast, Landscape Photography World. Grant creates a comfortable environment to share answers to his questions about landscape photography, creativity of the process, and so much more.
As I set off on a road trip to Wyoming, a friend messaged me that there was smoke blowing into the Jackson area. I decided that landscape photography and smoke don’t always play well together, so I changed course and headed for Bryce Canyon National Park; a park I had yet to visit.
This time of year can be so hectic with the holidays quickly approaching. But, every year I try to plan ahead so that I have some beautiful, fragrant blooms to enjoy during winter. I decided to spend a little 'me' time planting some narcissus bulbs (also known as paperwhites) in glasses to force them to bloom inside. It's a project I do annually usually in mid-October.
Small or huge, there are gorgeous waterfalls everywhere! Some may be a bit hidden or secluded requiring a hike in order to view them. But, each has its own personality and allure. There are so many waterfalls to explore and photograph.
Taking some time to look through photos and discovered this post from my Waterfalls & More workshop/retreat from a couple of years ago. Let me tell you, it was fantastic! The colors were amazing! The water was flowing! And, we had a fantastic group of women attending the workshop in October. The Northern California mountains in autumn are a beautiful sight!
One early, foggy morning before anyone else was up, I decided to go down to the beach to enjoy the environment and take a couple of landscape photos just to document being there. Coffee, beach chair, and camera in hand, I headed over the dune toward the waters’ edge. That's when I knew I'd be photographing shorebirds!
Autumn! Like many of you, it's my favorite time of year. After a warm summer (okay, HOT), the cooling temperatures are welcome. Crisp mornings and cool evenings with lovely, comfortable days. They're the best! But those changing colors are what I really look forward to in fall.
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As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape, nature, and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer several educational opportunities including workshops and photography mentoring. You can learn about them by going to SERVICES and WORKSHOPS. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.
Please CONTACT ME with any questions or to schedule your learning session.
Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.
(530) 633-7575
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