As a contemplative photographer, I value intentional mindfulness of the immediate moment over planning and hunting for specific scenes. Therefore, my process is to be present and observational, responding to my surroundings instead of following a rigid plan. I usually take my photos at Columbus Metro Parks and other nearby parks, and I choose the location based on the weather, the time of day, and my mood. Once there, I stroll through the area, camera in hand, quietly observing my surroundings and thanking God for His love and grace and His beautiful creation. And then I start to take photos of whatever strikes me as interesting or especially lovely. I rarely look at my camera to evaluate a photograph after taking it, beyond quick exposure checks. Instead, I stay in the moment, working the scene, taking photos at different angles and perspectives. I rarely use a tripod because I prefer the freedom to quickly change position and experiment with different views of a scene.

I do not limit myself to one type of photo; I may shoot landscape, close up, macro, and abstract all in one photo shoot, thinking carefully about which style best fits the mood of what I am observing in that moment. I may take several different shots of the same scene, working the light and perspectives to try to capture what I feel. However, whatever technique I use, it is important to me that the final image feels valid to the user - like they could have seen it themselves if they looked at it just right.

I do keep active projects in mind while shooting, but I do not limit myself. For example, when working on the project The Waters Close to Home, I intentionally visit places that have water, especially in light or conditions I have not yet included in the project. But when there, I do not force the photography. I wait for the moments that speak to me, and only then do I raise my camera. If I do not get the piece my project needs that day, I seek those conditions again in the future. I have learned in life that when I try to follow a plan and it goes awry, I become deeply frustrated, and that negate the potential benefits of movement and mindfulness on a photography excursion. Thus, since my photography is as much about mental, physical, and spiritual health as it is about the creative process, I avoid placing deadlines or restrictions on my process.

Later, I work through the photos in Lightroom, identifying the ones that best captured the moment. I often have to choose from multiple variations on the scene to find the one that fits best. Then I adjust exposure, color, and clarity, aiming to maintain the right emotion within the reality of the scene. Because I love the creative process, it is tempting to fiddle with my favorite photographs a lot, but that negates the point of going outside and spending less time on the computer. So I have been building standard presets that capture my most common edits. I apply those presets, and then only minor adjustments are needed to polish the photograph. I process most photos fairly minimally, but some, such as abstract images or studies in contrast or texture, require more careful attention in Lightroom. Regardless of image genre, I always attempt to let the truth of the visual reality of the scene carry the emotional weight, rather than pushing the image into fantastical representation.