Hello my friend,

Every now and then there’s an announcement that feels bigger than a normal update. Not just another date on the calendar, but something that’s been building behind the scenes for a while. I’m excited to finally share one of the most requested workshop destinations I’ve ever received, and you’ll find all the details on my first New Zealand tour just below.

If it’s ever been on your list, this may be the moment.

As always, thanks for being here. - Mark

📺 MY NEW VIDEOS

You're Overthinking RAW Editing

Most photographers assume good photo editing is complicated. In reality, it usually feels hard because there’s no clear process, not because you’re doing something wrong. In this video, I walk through a simple, start-to-finish RAW photo editing workflow designed to remove guesswork from the process. Instead of jumping between tools or touching every slider, the focus is on knowing what actually matters, what to ignore, and when to stop.

This is What Finishes a Photo

Finishing a photo isn’t just about adjusting exposure, color, or contrast. In this video, I break down what truly completes a photograph and why one often overlooked editing step has more influence over composition, visual flow, and storytelling than almost anything else you’ll do in the digital darkroom. We’ll look at how small framing decisions change the way a viewer moves through an image, how orientation affects eye movement, and why composition doesn’t end in the field.

​​🌄 NEW ZEALAND IS HAPPENING

New Zealand has been one of the most requested workshop locations I’ve ever received, and this December it’s finally happening. I just released the full details on who this trip is for, what we’ll be shooting, and why this landscape is unlike anything else I offer. If New Zealand has been on your list, this is the year to stop thinking about it. With limited seats and nearly half already spoken for, this won’t stay open for long.

🔓 VAULT FAVORITES

A Hard Photography Skill That Pays Off Forever

There are a ton of skills, techniques, and best practices one can embrace in order to improve their photography, but there is one skill in particular that I've found difficult to master yet produces the greatest results. I guess the saying "nothing great comes easy" is perfect for this skill because it won't contribute to an overnight improvement in your photography, but if you put in the effort over time this will eventually be a game changer for anybody.​​

📖 GOOD READS Embrace the Journey: Four Essential Lessons for Landscape Photographers In the world of landscape photography, there's often a spotlight on the giants—the Ansel Adamses, Michael Kennas, and Clyde Butchers whose images grace the covers of magazines and amaze viewers worldwide. But amidst this reverence for greatness, there's a quieter narrative, one that speaks to the journey of continual improvement and the pursuit of personal excellence. Although, I personally may never be one of the “great landscape photographers” I find solace in the fact that I’m better today than I was yesterday. In this article, I’ll share the four things that have had the greatest impact on me throughout my journey from beginner to professional photographer, in hopes that some of what I discovered can help you as well. #1 Experimentation Without the Fear of Failure Landscape photography is like exploring a new world, both outside and within yourself. It's easy to get stuck doing things the same way, for instance always using wide-angle lenses focusing on the grand landscape was my crutch. But the real magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone and begin experimenting. Whether it's trying different focal lengths, getting up close with macro photography, post processing in black & white, or taking to the skies with aerial photography, every experiment and subsequent mistake teaches you something new. Embrace the unknown because that's where you'll find your unique style. >> Read More​