Five Frames

Some Moments Find You

I didn’t find this moment. It found me.

I wasn’t moving quietly with intention. I wasn’t waiting patiently with my camera ready. I was just there, on a trail looking for wildflowers, when I looked up and saw this bear, sitting calmly in the middle of it all like it had always belonged (and it did).

There’s something humbling about moments like this, when nature offers you a glimpse not because you earned it, but because you happened to be in the right place, at the right time, with your eyes open. 

A reminder that not everything meaningful is pursued. Some things are given. Unexpectedly.

These moments don’t always last. But we can still stand in them while they’re here.

This was one of those moments. And I’m thankful I got to experience it.

— — —

I reached the part of the trail where I was hoping to find wildflowers, but they hadn’t arrived yet. Still, nature had other plans.

Instead of color, I was given a mother bear and her yearling. The younger one wandered behind a tree, but the mother stayed in view, or maybe she was keeping an eye on me.

I spent close to 20 minutes sitting quietly on the hillside, just the three of us. One of Boulder’s busiest wildflower trails, and for a while, it was just me and the bears, sharing the space. I see bears most years, but it never stops feeling extraordinary.

Prompt of the Week: Use Negative Space

This week’s idea is simple: leave more out.

Try letting part of your frame stay empty - open sky, fog, a quiet patch of grass, a stretch of water. These kinds of backgrounds help your subject stand out and give your photo a calm, open feel.

Negative space isn’t nothing. It’s what gives meaning to the thing you focus on.

Try this:
Next time you’re out with your camera (or phone), look for a simple background to surround your subject.
– A single flower against a wall
– A bird on a wire
– A tree framed by sky

Let the quiet parts do the talking.

A Podcast I Enjoyed This Week

F-Stop Collaborate and Listen — Episode 423 with Guido van de Water

This episode featured a thoughtful and grounded conversation that I enjoyed.

He shares how a major health shift gave him the chance to fully dive into photography, and how that’s reshaped his life.

He discusses letting go of traditional “rules” and following what feels right creatively.

He also talks about his own perspective and how it has led to some truly unique work.

And, he’s a Micro Four Thirds shooter, which I always love hearing.

Give it a listen.

Making Space to Grow

A man asked his gardener why his plants grew so beautifully. The gardener said, “I don’t force them to grow. I remove what stops them.” 

Sometimes growth isn’t about doing more, it’s about clearing what’s in the way.

What might be getting in the way of your growth, be it photography, creativity, or life in general?

What could you remove - physically, mentally, or emotionally - to let more creativity in?

What Do You Think?

Now that we’re a little over two months into Five Frames, I’d like to get your thoughts.

I’ve shaped this newsletter with a certain rhythm in mind. I keep things brief on purpose. Not because depth isn’t important, but because I want to leave space for you to interpret, reflect, and draw your own conclusions.

There’s so much noise out there, and our attention is pulled in so many directions. My hope is to offer a few touchpoints instead of one long read, to give you something to think about, and maybe dig deeper on your own if it resonates with you.

That said, I’d genuinely love to hear what you think.

• Do you enjoy the current format?

• Would you prefer one longer, deeper piece each time?

• Is there something you always look forward to? Or something you tend to skip?

Just reply to this email and let me know. Your feedback helps me shape this into something meaningful for both of us.

I’d love to hear from you! Have a question, suggestion, or want to explore a collaboration? Get in touch!

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