The Happiness Hour

The Happiness Hour Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers.

Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)

https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

06/02/2026

286: Landscape Photography: Night Skies, Dramatic Light & Storytelling with Lawrence Leyderman

Join photographer Lawrence Leyderman for a presentation on what makes landscape photographs truly impactful. Through examples of dramatic light, changing weather, night skies, and meaningful moments in the field, he’ll explore how emotion, atmosphere, timing, composition, and storytelling come together to create images that do more than show a place — they make you feel something.

www.lawrenceleydermanphotography.com
Instagram:

06/02/2026

Session 286: Landscape Photography: Night Skies, Dramatic Light & Storytelling with Lawrence Leyderman

Join photographer Lawrence Leyderman for a presentation on what makes landscape photographs truly impactful. Through examples of dramatic light, changing weather, night skies, and meaningful moments in the field, he’ll explore how emotion, atmosphere, timing, composition, and storytelling come together to create images that do more than show a place — they make you feel something.

www.lawrenceleydermanphotography.com
Instagram:

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)

https://lindanickell.com
https://www.instagram.com/coznlinda/
https://vero.co/coznlinda

youtube.com/

06/02/2026

Session 292: Intro To Astrophotography & The Effects of Light Pollution with Brennen Nicole Duffield

Step outside on a clear night and you’ll quickly realize the sky is far more than a backdrop—it’s a living, moving canvas. In this session, Brennen Nicole Duffield shares her tips on how to photograph stars, the Milky Way, and other celestial bodies, with practical guidance on gear, settings, and composition to help you capture their quiet brilliance.

We’ll also take a closer look at light pollution—how it diminishes our view of the night sky, affects wildlife, and disconnects us from something deeply human. You’ll come away with not only the tools to photograph the night, but also simple, meaningful ways to help protect it—because preserving darkness is as important as learning to see within it.

Connect with Brennen:

www.brennennicole.com
Instagram: .nicole

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube


https://youtube.com/?si=rR2MHjzK_bSVAGmj

05/14/2026

Session 290: The Imperfection Zone with Amy Jasek

Amy Jasek was raised on the Zone System and developed a deep appreciation for its precision, even as she felt a natural urge to break free from perfection. The daughter of a photographer, she grew up spending countless hours in the darkroom with her father, who taught her everything he knew. Texas born and raised, Amy has been fortunate to travel to many places—always with a camera by her side.

Her photographic journey has taken her from street photography to more narrative work, then to landscapes, and ultimately to a focus on conveying a true sense of place. Throughout all these evolutions, the constant thread has been her devotion to black-and-white film. Its tactile, organic process keeps her grounded in the moment and encourages her to explore creativity with mindful intention.

Connect with Amy:


www.Texasgirlphotography.com

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube


https://youtube.com/?si=rR2MHjzK_bSVAGmj


05/05/2026

Session 289: Polar Expedition Photography: Penguins and Polar Bears Oh-My! with Tom Schwabel

From Antarctica to high above the Arctic Circle, explore the fragile and untamed world of polar landscapes and wildlife on expedition-style cruises with travel and landscape photographer Tom Schwabel.

In this session we’ll cover sailing to iconic locations including Antarctica, South Georgia Island, Svalbard, and Greenland. Along with sharing photos, we’ll examine the challenges of photography in these harsh environments and share practical advice for photographing everything from penguins to polar bears, icy landscapes, and some of the most isolated communities on the planet.

Connect with Tom at:
www.tom-schwabel.pixels.com
Instagram:

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube


https://youtube.com/?si=rR2MHjzK_bSVAGmj

04/30/2026

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Session 288: A Wildly Incomplete Guide to Artistic Bird and Bug Photography
A Masterclass in Creating “Crappy” Photos Exactly Like Mine with Andy Bruner

Join Andy Bruner, a self-described “serious amateur” and the creator behind , for a fun and relaxed take on nature photography. With no professional credentials—just curiosity and a sense of humor—Andy shares how he captures birds and bugs in creative, unexpected ways.

In this session, he’ll show how to use natural light and weather to your advantage, capture interesting behavior, and experiment with playful, unconventional tools. It’s all about letting go of perfection, trying new ideas, and enjoying the process.

Connect with Andy at:

www.featheredforcefotography
Instagram:

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube


https://youtube.com/?si=rR2MHjzK_bSVAGmj

04/24/2026

Session 287: Getting Better Nature Photos Straight out of Camera with Lisa Cuchara

OM System Ambassador Lisa Cuchara explores creativity, technique, and new ways of seeing—helping you elevate your wildlife, bird, macro, and landscape photography. Along the way, she invites you to slow down and embrace the quiet magic of observation, where small details and fleeting light become meaningful images.

You’ll leave inspired and energized, with fresh ideas, practical techniques, and a renewed appreciation for capturing both what you see and what you feel—straight out of the camera.

Connect with Lisa at:

www.lisatom.photos
Instagram: .photos

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube


https://youtube.com/?si=rR2MHjzK_bSVAGmj

04/10/2026

Session 285: Photographing Families in an Authentic Way with Cheyenne Morris

Family photography often comes with a big challenge: parents want emotional images but kids can be unpredictable and most people feel awkward in front of a camera. In this conversation, Cheyenne Morris shares how photographers can guide families in a way that feels relaxed and genuine. We’ll talk about simple ways to get kids to cooperate without pressure, posing techniques that don’t look stiff, how to confidently direct parents, and prompts that create real connection instead of forced smiles. The goal is to create an environment where authentic moments happen naturally, resulting in images that feel true to the family.

Connect with Cheyenne at:
www.cheyennemorrisphotography.com
Instagram:

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube

04/05/2026

.
Session 284: Creative Flower Photography with Valerie Hoffman

In this session, Valerie Hoffman shares a creative approach to flower photography. Moving beyond simple snapshots, she’ll show ways to transform everyday blooms into expressive works of art using light, perspective, and thoughtful experimentation. Whether you’re shooting in your garden, a local park, or even a grocery store bouquet, you’ll leave inspired to see flowers in a new way.

Connect with Valerie at:

www.valeriehoffman.com
Instagram:

*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube

03/19/2026

Session 281: Composing for Connection with Ben Cowan

Creating an emotional connection elevates a photograph to an image. Doing so requires a thoughtful approach to the entire photographic process, from how the image is composed in the field to the approach to post-processing the image back at home.

In this presentation, Ben Cowan will share some simple guidelines for composition that help produce the strongest raw image. He will then discuss what to focus on in post-processing to create depth and shape the light in a way that draws the viewer into the scene and creates an emotional connection to the image. Along the way, Ben will share a selection of images and the stories behind them from Alaska to Patagonia and parts in between.

Connect with Ben at:

www.bencowanphoto.com


*****

Connect. Inspire. Create.

Every week a new photography-related topic and a new speaker join us via Zoom. All of our sessions are free and open to all levels of photographers. A list of upcoming presentations and links to our previous sessions can be found at:

Linda Nickell's Happiness Hour
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Central time)
https://lindanickell.com/happinesshour

You can access the full session on YouTube at Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour.

If you can’t join us live, subscribe to get notified when the session is posted to YouTube

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