Mikel's Photography and Design

10/19/2026

“This is what it’s about: friends, family, and love.”

I’m excited to share this look back at the launch of 250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice at Chinitas in downtown Henderson. More than 100 veterans, family members, friends, and supporters came together, and I’m still grateful for the love and encouragement shown that evening.

Getting to photograph these individuals and help tell their stories has been an honor. Having so many of them together to celebrate the finished book made it even more special.

This video shares a little of that evening—the laughter, the stories, and the moments we paused to remember those who couldn’t be there.

To everyone who trusted me with your portrait and your story, thank you. To everyone who bought a book, supported the project, or came out to celebrate with us, thank you for helping these stories reach more people.

And a special thank-you to Andrew Mitchell with Arcturus Cinema for capturing the evening, and to Chinitas for hosting us.

Take a few minutes to watch. If you were there, I’d love to hear your favorite memory! Please share the video and help us keep their stories moving. 🇺🇸

Learn more about the project and the book: www.250faces.com

10/12/2026

Home from a fantastic weekend at the Lincoln County Photo Festival in Panaca! 📸🤠
What a great few days. The people were wonderful, the weather was nearly perfect, and somehow the rain held off through all of our classes and shooting. Of course, it waited until it was time for me to pack up the tent trailer before deciding it was finally time to rain.
😂
This weekend was really about much more than just taking a technically good photograph. In my classes, we worked on telling a story through an image—using lighting, posing, expression, location, camera angle, and all those little details that can change a photograph from simply recording what was there into something that actually makes the viewer feel something.

We photographed some terrific Western characters while exploring several different styles of lighting—from studio-style controlled lighting, to natural light, reflective light, and off-camera strobe. Each approach gave the images a different feel and helped show how lighting can completely change the mood and story of a portrait. The dramatic clouds and Nevada landscape gave us an incredible backdrop and added even more character to the photographs.

On Sunday, we took that storytelling idea in another direction by working with the tools and details of the West—ropes, horseshoes, cards, poker chips, and other objects—and showing how light, composition, texture, and a little post-production can turn something very simple into a piece of photographic art. Sometimes the story isn’t about a person’s face at all. A worn rope, an old horseshoe, or the tools someone has used for years can tell a story all by themselves.

That is one of the things I enjoy most about teaching: helping another photographer begin to look beyond “What settings should I use?” and start asking, “What am I trying to say with this photograph?”

And really, that is the same approach I bring to my work with my own clients. Whether I’m photographing a cowboy, a veteran, a senior, a business owner, or a family, I don’t want to simply make a nice picture. I want to learn something about the person in front of my camera and create an image that tells their story—something with personality, emotion, and meaning that will still matter years from now.

Here are just a few from the weekend. There are definitely more coming once I get through everything we created.

Thank you to everyone involved with the Lincoln County Photo Festival, to the models and Western characters who helped us create these images, and especially to everyone who came out to learn and photograph with me.

I had a great time—and I think we created some pretty special images along the way.

Mikel’s Photography & Design
More than a portrait. Your story in a photograph.

10/04/2026

10/02/2026

Locked and loaded for tomorrow! 📸🇺🇸
Batteries are charging, cameras are ready, and I’ve got 500 GBs of SD cards waiting to be filled. This desk has officially become my charging station! 😂
I’ll probably come home with 3,000–4,000 images from this Honor Flight weekend. Between getting everything ready, photographing the trip, and sorting and editing afterward, there’s a lot of work involved. And I’m grateful I get to do it.
These photographs capture memories, stories, and pieces of history that these veterans and their families can hold on to. It’s a privilege to be here, to witness their emotions, and to help preserve those moments.
Feeling blessed to be part of the Honor Flight Southern Nevada crew. Ready for a full day in Washington, D.C., tomorrow!

10/02/2026

From the book launch to Honor Flight in just a matter of days! 🇺🇸

I’m now on my way to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight Southern Nevada and a whole new group of veterans. What a privilege to be part of this group and to spend the weekend hearing their stories and capturing the moments and emotions of their trip.

I’m still taking in Wednesday night’s launch of 250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice. Over 100 people came out to celebrate with us! Thank you to everyone who attended, purchased a book, and helped make the evening such a success. To our veterans, family, friends, volunteers, and sponsors—I couldn’t have done it without you.

Having so many veterans at the launch, then heading to D.C. with another group just days later, reminds me how fortunate I am to do this work. Being trusted with their stories and having the opportunity to preserve them through my photography means a great deal to me.

There are still plenty of books available! If you missed the launch or would like another copy to share, you can order at 250Faces.com.

Thank you for your support. I’ll have more pictures to share from D.C.! 🇺🇸

09/28/2026

Just TWO DAYS away! 🇺🇸

This Wednesday, join me for the 250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice Book Launch, Signing & Gallery Showcase.

This project has been years in the making, and I’m excited to share it with you. Come walk through the portraits, meet some of the veterans whose stories fill these pages, and pick up a signed book.

📅 Wednesday, September 30
📍 Chinitas Sushi & Tapas — upstairs
Water Street District, Henderson
🕠 Doors open at 5:30 PM | Program begins at 6:00 PM

Admission is free. Bring a friend, bring your family, and help me honor the men and women behind these stories.

I’d love to see you there!

09/21/2026

Aspen Mirror Lake is stunning in the fall. Golden aspens, white trunks, and reflections in the water make it a beautiful place to slow down and explore.

The Cedar Mtn area holds many memories for me. It’s where my 3rd-great-grandparents had a place in the mountains before moving into Cedar City. I taught my kids to fish, and photographing these places gives me another way to bring a little of that feeling home.

Here’s how these two photographs could look in a home or cabin. Those warm fall colors look beautiful on canvas—and you can enjoy them long after the leaves have fallen.

Which would you put on your wall—the close-up aspens or the lake view?

Message me about sizes and print options.
📍 Aspen Mirror Lake • Cedar Mtn, Utah
Photography by Mikel Conrad

09/21/2026