The Small Lens That Changed How People Reacted to My Camera
Sacramento photographer Tim Engle on how the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 pancake lens changed his portraits, football photography, and how people react to the camera.
Why Photographers Should Still Shoot Personal Work
A recent portrait photography session in downtown Sacramento reminded me why personal work matters. Personal projects allow photographers to experiment with lighting, gear, and creative ideas that often influence their professional portrait work.
Looking Back at 2025 . . . Finding Rhythm, Balance, and Purpose
2025 was a year of rhythm—refining executive portrait work, improving workflow, and staying grounded through meaningful personal projects that continue to shape how I approach photography.
Mahon Ranch Cattle Roundup: A Day Inside a 140-Year Sacramento County Working 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.
Wyoming Army ROTC Field Training Exercise: A Father's Reflection on Leadership and Legacy
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).
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.