Led by Light

Welcome + About Me

Welcome to Led by Light, and an exciting new chapter in my journey as a creative. I have been on this platform for a little over a year now. I wrote a few drafts, but published nothing. It was not for lack of inspiration; I have read many wonderful articles and posts here. Rather, it was alignment. I needed to figure out what I wanted to write about! 

I am a landscape photographer based in the Great Lakes region. The obvious answer to this question is simple: write about your experiences in the Great Lakes as a photographer. While that would suffice, I wanted to bring more than beautiful locations and trip reports (although, that is in the works, too). I wanted to offer something of substance, something resonant. I wanted to offer something more than surface level write ups, and share my authentic experience as an individual.

There is much more to landscape photography than simply showing up at a beautiful place and capturing it well. What about the dozen failed attempts previous to the one that worked? Or the simple victories of dialing in the exact kit that works for you, every time? It is an experience that I want to share. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The raw, unfiltered thoughts, musings, and emotions that accompany creating from the heart, along with the joys and frustrations that are part of the same experience. 

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I am happily married to my wonderful wife, Katie, and the father of two incredible boys, Wesley and Oliver. A man of God, I have dedicated my craft to showcasing the beauty that is found in His creation. I am a bit of a nomad, too. You will find in future trip reports that I move around quite a bit. There is a post coming on this topic, so stay tuned for that. 

I have lived in the Great Lakes region my entire life, exploring the many landscapes and beautiful locations that define it. As a child, my late father and I would explore the region together - hiking, camping, fishing, and experiencing everything it offered. He passed away in 2020, and I have continued our outdoor traditions since. Today, I hike many of the same trails, forests, and wilderness areas that he did years ago.

I have been a photographer for a little over twenty years. In that time I have shot everything from cityscapes to night skies, landscapes to portraits. I even did weddings for a while, too. It has been quite an experience! Around 2015, I shifted my focus to landscapes, cityscapes, and nature and have been diligently working on improving myself since. 

Besides being a photographer, I am an educator, the host of the Lakescape Photography Podcast, and a YouTuber. My second favorite thing to do outside of photography is teach others and help them explore the world through a camera. I love witnessing the ah-ha moments! Leading workshops, one-on-ones, and virtual coursework is a blessing that I do not take lightly. 

LED BY LIGHT

I plan to release one short-form blog a month along with photos, notes, and related posts from my podcast and YouTube channel. These will range from trip reports to how-to’s, in the field experiences to gear and photograph reviews.

This is all centralized on the experience of a landscape photographer in the Great Lakes. It is my mission to share the beauty of this region and encourage others to seek the beauty in their own backyards, too. Through collaboration, inspiration, and authenticity, I hope to help others on their journey, or at least offer a little humor along the way.

Led by Light is more than just a blog name; it is an ethos that I live by. A reminder to look for light everywhere, in everything. A literal way of life, and a metaphor for the intangible. My photography work focuses on the pursuit of light and conditions. It is all about the light! This is the deliberate exploration of the art, craft, and science of light in landscape photography.

Thank you for checking out my Substack, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you and enjoying yours, too!