Ansel Adams once said that "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it."

 

And although I agree with Ansel - that it's the vision, not the gear, that makes the image - the truth is that even those of us who do this for a living have phones full of not-so-great snapshots. ⬇️

Gray pitbull with blue collar lying in green grass while holding a pear in his mouth.
A brown and white pit bull lounges on a gray floral pattern couch with tan pillows.
A gray and white pit bull wearing a blue collar sits on rocks with dramatic mountain peaks in the background at sunset.
A gray pitbull wearing a Halloween bowtie sits on a walkway near pumpkin decorations and a brick house entrance.
A gray pit bull dog sits in a harness in front of a large round hay bale decorated with Texas A&M logo.
Gray dog wearing navy blue pajamas with fox pattern lounges comfortably on a gray floral couch.

There's something different about the headspace we go into when we show up for "the real thing"… and that goes both for me as a photographer AND for my clients:


  • We've planned the best time of day
  • We've made intentional location and clothing choices
  • We've thought about exactly what we want to capture
  • Most of all, though, we've made time and space…free of distractions.


And that is where the magic happens.

 

I love that technology has made it possible for all of us to capture those candid, everyday moments that have - until recently - gone largely unrecorded.

 

But the danger in having all those snapshots is our false sense of security, thinking we've "got it covered." The truth is, most of those phone photos are destined to stay trapped on our devices, overlooked, forgotten, and eventually thrown away.

 

Professional photos are different… not just in how they look, but how they make us feel.

Happy pit bull dog sitting in blooming bluebonnet wildflowers with white chest and grey coat smiling at camera.
A gray and white pitbull wearing a turquoise collar sits attentively in grass during golden hour lighting.
A gray and white pit bull sits attentively in golden sunlight on grassy hill during sunset.
A black and white pit bull sits alertly on a dirt path with autumn foliage blurred in the background.
A gray and white pitbull puppy sits attentively on a porch with decorative grass in the background.
A gray and white pitbull type dog sits attentively in front of blooming pink rose bushes in a garden setting.

They're created with intention, artistry, and the goal of preserving the essence of a moment in a way that lasts forever. They're the ones we print, frame to display in our homes.

 

So here's my reminder for the year ahead: keep making snapshots every day, grabbing those candid, fleeting moments that bring you joy.

 

But also…

 

Let's set an intention - even a date! - for photos that will truly stand the test of time and capture the essence of what 2025 means in your life.

 

And if you want your pick of dates, now is a great time. The early bird gets the worm and all that… 🐥