Behind the Lens Phone-tography

03/17/2026

I'm kinda obsessed with Walter....

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️

03/10/2026

One of the things we talk about in our Behind the Lens Phone-tography class is learning to use light and perspective.

This photo of Walter, from the Nome Schoolhouse, is a perfect example.

Instead of standing up and zooming in, focus on three simple things:

📸 Get low! Shooting at the subject’s eye level makes the photo feel more personal.

☀️ Use backlighting! Letting the sun sit behind the subject creates that beautiful glowing rim light.

📏 Move in closer to the subject if you need too. Use 1x or 3x zoom. Don't pinch zoom. It will keep more detail and texture.

Notice how the sunlight highlights all that shaggy fur and gives the photo depth.

And honestly, when your subject looks this adorable, it makes the lesson even more fun.

Great photos don’t require fancy equipment.

Sometimes they just require good light, a curious cow, and a phone in your hand.

📱 Snap it. Love it. Share it.

03/10/2026

I just had to try some moooo-d light editing on the photo I took of Walter.

I'm loving it!

What do you think?

03/10/2026

Meet Walter! The Mini Highland Cow from the Nome Schoolhouse.

I mean… look at that hair. And that tongue!

Have you ever seen a Highland cow in person?

Or would you love to photograph one someday?

☀️

03/06/2026

A quiet moment by the window.

Soft light.

Curious eyes.

A reminder that the most beautiful photos are often the simplest ones.

Look around. Your next favorite photo might already be waiting.

📷 Snap it. Love it. Share it.

03/03/2026

When Meta AI describes your business.....

03/03/2026

Its almost time!!!!!

Are you registered yet?

Join us for a Cell Phone Photography & Organization Retreat in Nome, ND!Mark your calendars for March 6-7th ~ we're bringing the magic of mobile photography and the essential skills of photo management to The Nome Schoolhouse!This hands-on workshop is co-hosted by experienced instructors Wendy G...

03/02/2026

It looks like Mika is enjoying the royal treatment!

She settled onto her royal throne like she had been waiting for this moment her whole life. With her velvet cape, sparkling crown, and regal pose, she gave the camera a look that said she fully expected treats, admiration, and a nap immediately after. The photo captured her truth. She was not playing queen. She was the queen.

Thanks to a little Ai help, we were able to bring Mikas royal dreams to life.

I love teaching my students how to create images like this at our Cell Phone Photography Workshops.

📱📷 👑

02/27/2026

Out of all the backyard moments I have captured, this is one I will never forget.

This little blue jay was one of five babies that grew up in our yard that summer.

It was such a joy watching them learn to fly, hop from branch to branch, and discover the world for the very first time.

On this day he had just taken a bath in our fountain and hopped up onto the deck to dry off in the sunshine.

He was still so young that he didn’t even have all of his bright blue color yet. That soft pastel blue is one of the sweetest signs of a juvenile blue jay.

I stood there for a moment before taking the photo, just soaking in how close I was to something so simple and so beautiful.

Moments like this remind me how much wonder is right outside our back door.

When the weather warms up, I hope you take a little time to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy whatever decides to show up in your own backyard.

Life is beautiful, but you have to look up to see it.

02/26/2026

This curious little juvenile red tailed hawk decided to drop into my backyard and land right on top of the gnome home that Vaughan built.

The red squirrels were losing their minds.

Chattering. Scolding. Probably saying something like, “Sir, this is a no fly zone!”

Meanwhile, this hawk sat there like the calmest guest at the party.

I started inching closer. One tiny step. Freeze. Snap a pic. Another step. Snap. He didn’t even flinch.

I think he was trying to decide if I was interesting, harmless, or just slow.

Eventually he took off, but oh my goodness, what an experience.

Backyard wildlife keeps things exciting. You never know who is going to show up for a surprise visit.

📱📷