Journal (Monsoon)

What a year 2022 has been for photographing the monsoon season at the Grand Canyon. After several years of weak monsoonal showers, or what some had come to refer to as the “non-soon” the rain has returned and with it came the lightning, rainbows, and dramatic skies...

After two years in a row of experiencing very dry monsoons, also known as a "nonsoon" in which there was little to no storm activity, we finally had a decent season this year in northern Arizona.

I made several trips to both the South Rim and North Rim of the Grand Canyon to lead photography workshops and personal trips to create new photographs for my portfolio...

Late last week I was at home, in my office, preparing for upcoming photography workshops at the Grand Canyon when I heard (and felt) the rumble of distant thunder. Storms aren't unusual during the summer months here in Arizona as it is our monsoon season, but what was a bit unusual was how early the storms were starting on this day...

Having grown up in the plains state of Iowa, I have always been fascinated with thunderstorms and lightning. Every year I would eagerly look forward to the storm season. My mother and I would race to the windows or the front door at the first crack of thunder, eager to see the next lightning bolt rip across the sky...

I've wrapped up a great workshop here at the Grand Canyon. Over the past 5 days we have photographed the canyon from both the South Rim and the North Rim. The group was absolutely fantastic and lots of fun to work with as we chased light, learned new photographic techniques, and made new friends...

Someone once said to me “you sure get lucky with your photography” in reference to some of the spectacular moments I have been “lucky” to have witnessed and photographed. I believe in making your own luck by being prepared, knowing your craft, and by being in the right place when luck presents itself by anticipating what is going to happen...

I visit the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park several times every year, and when I make the 4-hour return trip home to Flagstaff, I almost always make a side-trip to Lees Ferry to spend time near the Vermilion Cliffs and Colorado River...