Why I Enjoy Photography More Than Ever

After years behind the camera, I find myself enjoying photography more now than when I first started. The technical side — lighting setups, exposure, gear quirks — no longer slows me down. Those things are second nature at this point, which means I can focus on what matters most: connecting with people.

Most of my sessions feel like a conversation. We’re talking, laughing, learning about each other — and I just happen to be taking pictures in the middle of it. That shift has completely changed how I experience my work.

August in Review

August is always a little quieter in photography. Families are on vacation, kids are heading back to school, and businesses are focused elsewhere. Years ago, that slowdown used to stress me out. These days, I plan for it. The truth is, the “slow” months often give me the space to enjoy the projects that do come through.

Here are a few highlights from last month:

Corporate Headshots and Branding Photography in Sacramento

I worked with several professionals and businesses on portraits and branding sessions. Headshots are one of my favorite types of photography because they’re about more than just looking polished — they’re about creating an image that feels authentic and approachable.

Editorial Assignments

Editorial photography always brings something new. August included community profiles and business stories, the kind of work where you step into someone else’s world and capture what makes it unique.

Product Photography

Even something as straightforward as product photography — like a custom knife shoot I did last month — is a creative challenge. The goal is to make an object stand out and give it personality through light and composition.

Sports Photography: Friday Night Lights and Flag Football

High school football is back, and covering Casa Roble under the Friday night lights continues to be a passion project. This year also marked my first season covering girls’ flag football — one of the newest high school sports programs in California. Watching that grow from the start has been energizing to document.

Planning for the Cycle

August may be slower, but I know September and October will pick up fast. December is always a wildcard — sometimes steady, sometimes quiet. Instead of worrying about it, I’ve learned to embrace the cycle and prepare for the dips. That shift in mindset has made the work far more enjoyable.

Looking Ahead

From headshots and editorial shoots to product photography and Friday night football, August may have been “slower,” but it was far from boring. Each assignment reminded me why I love this work — and why, after all these years, I enjoy photography more than ever.

If you’re looking for corporate headshots, commercial photography, or sports coverage in Sacramento, I’d love to connect.

Legacy in the Dust: A Day at Mahon Ranch

There’s a kind of clarity that only comes after spending a full day in the dust, heat, and rhythm of a working ranch. Watching generations of cowboys handle 120 head of cattle—not for show, not for nostalgia, but because it has to be done—reminds you what real work looks like. This wasn’t a photo op. It was a way of life. And I was grateful to be invited into it, camera in hand, just trying to do it justice.

From the Sidelines to the Sacraments: My Journey into the Catholic Church

And I thought: If this level of evil is real, then the opposite must also be real. There has to be a corresponding good. There has to be God.

Field Notes from Wyoming

In April 2025, I made a 2,400-mile round-trip drive from Sacramento to Laramie, Wyoming, stopping in Guernsey for a weekend I’ll never forget. I was there to spend a few days with my son Ryan, a senior in the University of Wyoming’s Army ROTC program, as he and his fellow seniors ran their culminating training event—the Joint Field Training Exercise (JFTX).

Why I Don’t Believe in the “Ultimate Posing Guide”

Forget the “Ultimate Posing Guide.” True posing is about authenticity, not memorization. In this post, I break down how I approach posing as a conversation—not a command—and why the most natural movements often lead to the strongest images. Whether you’re a photographer or someone who hates being in front of the camera, there’s something here for you.

Sacramento Fashion Week 2025 – A Photographer’s Perspective

Fashion Week always brings a mix of creativity, spontaneity, and technical challenges. This year at Sacramento Fashion Week, held at the Crocker Art Museum, I set out with a clear vision of how I wanted to capture the event. Over two nights, I experimented with lens choices, lighting techniques, and visual storytelling,

Why I Use What I Use: A Thoughtful Approach to Photography Gear

When I first started in photography, I’ll admit—I had my fair share of “gear envy.” The allure of shiny new equipment was hard to resist, and I made plenty of purchases that didn’t add much value to my work. Over time, I realized that having the right tools matters far more than having all the tools.