by Skip Cohen

​It's Veteran's Day, and while parts of this post I shared many years ago, it's still great to bring back. 

My Dad was part of the "Greatest Generation," serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Like so many veterans, while he saw action in the Pacific, he rarely talked about it. However, there were a few stories he shared over the years.

Dad played the trumpet all through high school and college until he dropped out to serve after Pearl Harbor. That's Dad in one of the Army Air Corps bands above, second from the right in front of the drummer. 

On a hot, humid day in New Guinea in the 1940s, his CO was looking for musicians. Dad's hand to volunteer couldn't have gone up faster, thinking he was about to score some light duty. All those years playing the trumpet were about to pay off! NOT - for the next three days, he was part of a crew moving pianos for Bob Hope and a USO show!

Dad was initially trained as a pilot but wound up with a perforated eardrum. That changed his role, limiting his time in the air. He spent a good part of the war in the tower at the airfield. One story he told me was about his CO near the end of the war. They regularly sent out planes to calibrate the radar. Just as Dad was getting ready to head out and fly with one of the calibration crews, his CO held him back so he could go himself. Dad was pissed that he got out-ranked and had to stay in the tower. Well, the plane never returned!

That one event gave Dad a whole new philosophy on everything from destiny to dealing with disappointment to believing in divine intervention. Growing up, whenever I was disappointed over something big or small, Dad would remind me, "Everything always works out for the better!"

A year before Dad passed away, we joined HonorFlight.org and went to Washington. I remember Dad sitting with a group of veterans who were also on the trip. Dad was based in the Asia Pacific, and they had all been on the European front. Somebody asked Dad if he ever got to meet General MacArthur. I loved his answer, "No, but I brought in his plane a few times!"
​
So, to our son Brian, who's serving now, Uncle Randy who passed away last year, my Dad who left us in 2015, and all my friends and associates who served in Viet Nam or have family in the military now, I'm not only writing the longest run-on sentence I've ever published, but sharing a big heartfelt thank you!

On this Veteran's Day morning, I wish everybody a day of peace—not just inner peace with your life, but the kind our veterans have fought to preserve. Take the time to hug a veteran today and remind them of your appreciation for the sacrifices they made. And, to every parent who joins us with family in the military today - "thank you" is such an understatement.

If you've got a veteran in the family, especially if they're in their 70s or older, check out HonorFlight.org. It's a fantastic group with one goal: to show the appreciation all our veterans deserve and get them to Washington for one more "tour." Just click on the HonorFlight logo below for more information.

You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know.
Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
Anthony Robbins

by Skip Cohen

It's Friday and I like to keep it short. When I saw the quote above I couldn't help but think about the political mess the U.S. is in. This isn't about being on the Left or Right.

​If any of us ran our businesses the way Congress is acting now, we'd be out of business. I recognize it's easy to be on the outside and criticize, but we've got a government that's forgotten about We the People!

Think about a customer service problem you might have had in your business that simply wasn't your fault. Instead of pointing fingers and doing nothing, you took action and fixed it, because that's what the customer expected. It's what you needed to do to build loyalty and grow your business. You were a problem solver and didn't let complacency get in the way.

I'm back to not watching the news because I'm tired of all the finger-pointing, the lies, the whining, and the complete disregard for the people. I'm tired of all the "fat cats" in Washington who do nothing but criticize and want to take away health benefits, cut back on the social security we've all spent a lifetime paying and take no responsibility for their inaction. 

Want to end the government shutdown? Stop paying the members of Congress! 

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, I've written nearly 200 blog posts on the importance of giving back to one's community. One thing I always write: you're looking for the community to be good to you, so you need to be good to your community.

My point today is about timing. At least in my lifetime, there has never been a greater need to support one's community.

It doesn't matter which "side" you're on in politics; the challenge is the same for all of us. We have a government that can't get its act together. At the same time, more people are out of work, costs for everything have increased, and programs that were previously in place to help have been cut back or discontinued altogether.

The fourth quarter officially begins tomorrow, and with it come numerous local opportunities for you to give back. From helping to feed the homeless to national programs like NILMDTS, the Alzheimer's Walk, and Toys for Tots, as well as volunteers participating in community events and special programs in schools, there's no shortage of ways for you to get more involved.

The challenge is that so many of you continue to procrastinate about getting involved. What's sad is that it's so easy to get started - it's not rocket science. It just takes a little focus...which you know all about when there's a camera in your hands!

I hope you'll take some time today and think about how you can give back and then take the first step...get involved!

by Skip Cohen

​It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday. This morning, as I searched for images I hadn't shared before, I ran across a post from nine years ago. The message makes even more sense today!

We're living in a that's-good-enough world! Many products are manufactured with planned obsolescence, and they often have a shorter lifespan than what we're accustomed to. For example, in our own kitchen, since moving into this house nine years ago, appliances that used to last a lifetime have been replaced several times. And consider the Ford Mustang - you can't buy one right now because of three different recalls on the 2025 models that won't be resolved until 2026. Ford's slogan of "Quality is job one!" doesn't apply to very many products these days, including their own vehicles.

My good buddy Scott Bourne said once, "Shoot as if this is the last photograph of yours anybody will ever see!"

Here's the question of the day...What are people going to be saying about your photography years from now? How will your work be perceived?

Even though I've shared them before, I thought it would be fun to share a few classics of both my folks. Both of the older photographs were hand-colored and captured eighty to ninety years ago. The two more contemporary images were captured by Bambi Cantrell around 2008.   

But one of my favorite images out of the session she did with my folks is this one on the right. It was captured before Alzheimer's took control. We had no idea what the next few years would bring, but the love my folks had for each other is clearly what Bambi focused on.

Here's the bottom line - you owe your subjects the very best you can be. Never compromise on the quality of your work. The photographers we respect the most are the ones who capture the intangible spirit of the subject in addition to outstanding technical skills in exposure, composition and lighting.

Over the years, Beverly and Tim Walden have talked a lot about the value of a portrait. They're not creating a photograph, but a family heirloom to be handed down for generations to come. And the portrait session needs to be an experience, not just a few clicks of the shutter! Their advice to new photographers deserves repeating: 

Our advice to new photographers? Do less and do it exceptionally well! Narrow your focus to gain appeal.
All great artists are known for a style, a look that is their own. As you begin in this wonderful profession, be original, do what your heart loves, do it well and work towards mastering it.

So, what's the answer to the question of the day? Are you creating images that, years from now, your clients will look back on and smile, remembering the day you took their portrait? And will future generations look at your work and cherish the photographs, like I do of the portraits of my folks?

by Skip Cohen

​Today's post is miles away from being directly tied to photography, but it's about inspiration and breast cancer. The short backstory is that it was a post on Facebook by Chrisi Adamson. She's a member of the Memory Care Alliance who I first met almost a year ago. It's also a post that I wish I could make mandatory for everyone to read!

The post is about her fight with breast cancer. It's so inspirational that I'm running it like a public service message. I'm not sharing the video here, but the screenshot of Chrisi ringing the bell is enough to appreciate the message behind it.

And a BIG thanks to Chrisi for allowing me to share her story.

by Chrisi Adamson

I have held this video moment close to my heart for about three weeks. I am going to share because if this helps one lovely woman out there to go get a mammogram it was worth any discomfort that comes from sharing deeply personal things. It is also the closest way to attempt to thank everyone.

After a double mastectomy on 5/24/24, we found out I had IDC Triple Positive Breast Cancer; the tumor was found after surgery. 6/27/24 I started chemo and immunotherapy. There have been 30 infusions, so many trips to Moffitt, surgeries (with more to come), countless labs, a port, daily shots, bone pain, low white blood cell counts, scars (some you can see, some are just for me to carry), infection scares, poor blood supply to skin, hair loss, neuropathy, weight loss, weight gain, joint pain, menopause, depression, anxiety, deep fatigue, brain fog, and so much more.

Growing up my Gram would always say: “God never gives you more than you can handle.” Well, God and I have had many a chat. I have questioned if he has overestimated my strength but in the end I know Fanny Mae was right. It is not pretty but you keep moving. The only way out is through.
If I have learned anything through this, it is that extremes exist side by side.
​

• Where there was fear, anger and sadness, there was also such a deep love from family and friends. Love that moves mountains.
• Where there was pain and tears, I also found laughter. If you don’t laugh, you will cry. Ryan Adamson will forever have my heart for the love and laughter he used to get us through this. Love is real when you almost pee your pants while getting chemo!!
• Where there was isolation, I found that people from all walks of my life were there keeping me surrounded with love and strength. (And flowers, sweet treats, delivered meals, meal trains, blankets, books, PJs, clean products, tv suggestions, fun for the kids, gift cards, laundry services(!!)…the list could go on for days). When depression and anxiety tried to make me feel alone, I never lacked for someone to lean on.
• Where there was total chaos, my family found friends that are forever family now and family that never stopped showing up. They loved our children when we weren’t there to. They went to baseball tournaments, stocked the kitchen, took them to Sea World, had weekday sleepovers, did school pick ups, got them to school, studied for tests but most importantly their love and time let our kids be care free and unworried about cancer, scan results, levels, and recurrence rates.

If I listed 100 people, I would surely leave out 500 more. Every card, every text, every act got me and my family to where we are today. You are all so special.

Woah- see why I have never posted much?! It’s a lot. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love. Words will never do it justice. Also, my kids and husband are the bravest and strongest people I know.

On 7/17/25 I finished my active treatment! This video happened BECAUSE I went for my annual screenings. I felt nothing (couldn’t have), there was no pain, EVEN the screens missed the tumor found after surgery (I went in due too malignant microcalcifications). I thank God everyday for Moffitt, for screenings, for modern medicine and the research in treatment that makes my outcome so beautiful and real.

Get screened annually. It works, it matters, it’s worth it.

And for goodness sake if you ever need to talk, get facts, scream, or help a friend- reach out to me. I didn’t go through this alone and I am here to help so no one ever has to.

by Skip Cohen

I shared this concept three years ago. Since today, for some of you, is Monday, it's time to bring the first and second Tuesday concept back again!

I know it's all psychological, but Mondays always seem more challenging than the rest of the week, and it's not because we're always coming off of great weekends. It's like the "full-moon madness" you hear about in doctors' offices, hospitals, and jails when all the crazy things happen.

Sheila started laughing when I suggested Mondays should be canceled. Years ago, we discussed a simple solution: let's have two Tuesdays. Today is the first Tuesday, and tomorrow is second Tuesday. And, with minimal effort, I even found a calendar to reflect the concept! LOL

Until further notice, Mondays have been replaced by First Tuesdays. Again, it's all a head game, but it makes us laugh. Since laughter is clearly the best medicine, if nothing else, we'll go into the day with a better attitude. 

Hey, if you've followed me for even the shortest time, you already know I'm nuts!

​Happy First Tuesday!

by Skip Cohen

For nearly ten years, I've been involved at various levels with Sarasota's Senior Friendship Center. It started with helping my Dad as a caregiver for my mother, who was dealing with Alzheimer's, and has continued to evolve in various capacities and projects. As a result, I have access to a wealth of valuable information about aging. While it's not directly related to the business of imaging, aging is definitely a topic we all share in common.

Recently, the flyer below from the National Institute on Aging came across my desk with some other material. Except for my body creaking for ten minutes when I wake up in the morning, physically, I honestly don't feel much different than I did at 50.

My only issue has been occasional memory problems, usually names. At one point, because my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all had Alzheimer's, I went and got thoroughly tested. The results were negative on Alzheimer's. However, what I'm experiencing is considered a normal part of aging.

The bottom line is that we can't slow down the aging process, but we all need to stay in tune with the challenges it presents. The "Five Myths About Aging" says it all. Regardless of your age, you need sleep, exercise; remember depression is NOT part of aging; you can teach an old dog new tricks, and just because you forget things doesn't mean Alzheimer's is knocking on your door.

Wishing everybody a great rest of the week, which includes plenty of sleep, great new memories, a healthy outlook on life, and plenty of exercise!

Happy Tuesday!

by Skip Cohen

​Molly the Wonder Dog headed for the Rainbow Bridge six years ago this past February. And while Lucy and Belle have filled the hole in my heart, the roses blooming in "Molly's Garden" have kept so many memories alive.

Like most of you who have lost a pet, I spent the first few months devastated and thinking I could never make room in my heart again. I wrestled with what to do with her ashes and finally settled on a few rose bushes. This week, the one bush bloomed with the most roses I've had since I planted them.

The other two rose bushes didn't survive after being battered by several hurricanes, but the one, pictured on the right was somewhat protected. It's also the first bush planted and got the majority of Molly's ashes.

Memories are a wonderful thing. I've tried repeatedly over the years to grow roses, mostly because my grandmother had dozens of them across her backyard. Growing up and spending a lot of time with my grandparents, roses are one more memory-maker.

This is just a short post this morning with a reminder to cherish your pups, capture lots of images...and savor the memories they make with you and your family. Lucy is a lot like Molly and has her spirit, energy and even sense of humor! 

But I certainly haven't forgotten Molly. After all, she went to work with me every day in my WPPI and Rangefinder days. While I had to work to make the company owner understand the benefits of an unofficial mascot at work, nothing changed the amount of fun we had in the office when Molly was there.

She knew where everybody kept their Molly-treats. She'd make the rounds every morning and knew that stopping to see Bill Hurter meant she could jump on his lap and lick his face, while stopping by Marlene's desk meant her pads would be massaged. And whenever Ginny was feeling a little stressed, she'd be on the floor playing with Molly, which she once described as needing a "puppy fix."

by Skip Cohen

​I saw this piece posted on my FB notifications a few weeks ago. It hit me hard then, and I've since read it several times. For the most part, I've stayed out of the social media battles over the current state of America. I've stayed away from all the bullshit...even held back on commenting on all the fake news that people from both sides jump on. 

When I read this piece by Elayne Griffin Baker, written in 2020, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It's not just about the lack of joy but also about pride. I've watched friends withdraw; friends leave the country and done my best to search out the truth in the news, a virtually impossible task. 

The poem says it all...no need for me to comment further...and if it results in some of my readers no longer following me, our "friendship" would have disappeared sooner or later anyway.

There's no art in this White House.

There's no literature, no poetry, no music.

There are no pets in this White House, no loyal man's best friend, no Socks the family cat, no kids science fairs.

No time when the president takes off his blue suit red tie uniform and becomes human, except when he puts on his white shirt-khaki pants uniform and hides from Americans to play golf.

There are no images of the First Family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation.
No Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport.
No Reagans on horseback, no Kennedy's playing touch football on the Cape.

Where'd that country go?

Where did all the fun, the joy and the expression of love and happiness go?

We used to be a country that did the Ice Bucket Challenge and raised millions for charity.

​We used to have a President that calmed and soothed the nation instead of dividing it, and a First Lady who planted a garden instead of ripping one out.

We are rudderless and joyless.

We have lost the cultural aspect of society that make America great.

We have lost our mojo, our fun, our happiness, our cheering on of others.

The shared experience of humanity that makes it all worth it.

The challenges and the triumps that we shared and celebrated.

The unique can-do spirit that America has always been known for.

We are lost.

We have lost so much in so short a time.

-Elayne Griffin Baker-​

My apologies to the author of this footnote below. It was on the FB notifications page with the poem above. If someone knows the author I'll update this post.

Across the world, we are watching the rise of strongmen who sneer at laughter unless it's aimed downward. Who confuse control with leadership. Who rip up gardens instead of planting seeds. And people feel it. Even if they can't name it, they know something is missing. The absence of joy is not visible. It's a heaviness that settles over everything. It's the dull ache of a country that no longer pauses to cheer for each other, to laugh, to mourn, to dream.

Without joy, what are we even fighting for? What are we building? Power alone is not a vision. Authority without empathy is not greatness. A nation without joy is not leading the world, it's warning it. So let's stop pretending this is just about policy.  The mood of a leader shapes the mood of a country. And when that tone is mean, vindictive, hollow, and cold, it spreads. It settles into the bones of a nation. People are not machines. We are not here only to consume, to obey, to win. We are here to live. To feel. To connect. And to make something beautiful together, even if just for a moment.

There's nothing more I can add...except that it's going to take each and everyone of us to get America back.

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace.
There is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind.
Randy Armstrong

by Skip Cohen

​I started this series after reading a few great quotes I hadn't heard before. That led to wanting to share them, especially when they seemed relevant to many of today's challenges.
​
It's a short post going into what's about to become a pivotal weekend in America, June 14. With protests all over the country and an estimated 46 million dollars being spent on celebrating the army and Donald Trump's birthday, there's a lot I just don't understand.  Understanding is only half the challenge - because what we read or what's reported in the news can't be trusted.
 
Sheila and I have chosen to simply keep focused on our life together and what we can support or change. We're doing our best not to let the fear of the future interrupt our peace.  I heard a comment back in January from an unhappy photographer, "I'm just going to live in a snow globe for the next four years."  Well, our snow globe is our local community. 

I miss the America I've known most of my life. I miss respecting our government because it was made up of people smarter than us. Well, the true experts have been fired, and the country is being run by a group that has forgotten about being for the people. In fact, for our own businesses, most of us wouldn't hire the majority of the people we see in the news these days.

I'm trying hard not to make this into a political statement, and it's impossible. So, I'll wrap it up with another great quote.

We spend countless hours reading, listening to, and watching other people's opinions
about what we should do, how we should think, and how we should live,
but make comparatively little effort applying that knowledge and making it our own.
Tiago Forte

by Skip Cohen

I'm having some fun with great quotes, and the one above is one I shared 15 years ago on Facebook. I still hear people asking photographers, "What camera did you use?"  Even in a world being touched by AI, it still amazes me that there are people who think it's the gear that makes the image, when it still takes an artist's creativity.

So, the next time somebody asks you whose camera you use, there's a better answer.

Years ago, I was in Tucson when Richard Avedon turned over his archives to the Center for Creative Photography. His travel camera, which he loved to play with at the time, was an old-style Polaroid SX-70.

The death rate for people who play it safe and for people who live boldly is the same: 100%
Patti Dighi

Seriousness is overrated. If you want to achieve more without runing your life,
​the first step is to approach your work with a sense of play.
Ali Abdaaf

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and whatever I post, I like to keep it short. I ran across the two quotes above this morning, and they hit on a topic I've tried to live by for most of my adult life. Remember, I'm still a work in progress, so I haven't always gotten it right.

When I look back on different aspects of my career, the most significant and rewarding jobs/projects have always had an element of work-hard-play-hard. From those jobs have come incredible friendships and a network build on trust with some amazing people. The only thing I'll add to the sentiment of the two quotes today, is that there are so many of you whom I've met and talked with who are simply over-focused on the challenges in life.  As I've written before, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't totally in it!

I'm not suggesting you take anything too lightly - but now and then, ease up a little and focus on what YOU need. What puts a smile on your face and makes your heart soar, even just a little bit? Who are the people in your life you wish you connected with more often? Who gets those eleven-second hugs I always write about on Sundays?

Happy Hump Day...and here's one more thought that ties in with today's theme...

You were born an original. Don't die a copy.
John Mason

by Skip Cohen

It's time for everyone to get to know Tom Alvarez. Tom's a good buddy who has a passion for the craft that's pretty spectacular. He's an artist, photographer, educator, writer, great Dad, husband, and a good friend. We first met a few months before Covid hit. At the time, Tom was teaching photography at the Imagine School in Northport, Florida, and we had started talking online. 

He was passionate about exposing his students to as much as he could in the world of imaging, even though most of them had never held a real camera and were shooting with their phones. Thanks to a few industry friends, I was able to secure a dozen discontinued point-and-shoot cameras. Well, the pandemic hit, and I was never able to fulfill my offer to speak to his kids about a future in imaging. 

The best part of this industry isn't about imaging but the friendships that come from everyone's love for the craft. Even though he was no longer teaching, the friendship continued, and we'd get together for lunch a few times a year. He called me one day a year or so ago and asked my opinion about a book about backgrounds.

Being an author is not a new role for Tom. His diversity as an artist covers a long list of skills, including his first book, How to Create Action, Fantasy, and Adventure Comics, almost 30 years ago. While so many people want to write their own book, it takes not only understanding the topic but also discipline and, no pun intended, FOCUS.
 
We're all familiar with the concept of "behind the scenes" (BTS). The BTS of any image is literally the background, and less obvious is the original vision of the artist.  The image might start with the subject, but the power of an artist's concept depends on the background. The impact of the final image is often entirely dependent on the background, including what kind of backdrop, lighting, composition, and depth of field have been chosen.  Your background is the foundation of your BTS. It's the not-so-secret ingredient that sets the mood in any image.
 
If a picture really is worth a thousand words, then your choice of background sets the mood for at least the first few "chapters." A simple change in the background completely changes everything about the subject and what we feel when we view an image.

Last month, Tom's dream of a book about backgrounds became a reality. It's now available on Amazon.  Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro and need a few refresher reminders, it's a book with wide appeal. Just click on the cover shot to the right. Tom's statement in his conclusion says it all:

With over thirty years of photography and teaching under my belt, I have always aspired to help others improve their art, and that has led me to the creation of this book. If any of my readers simply move thier angle just a small amount to get a better "shot," well, then I have done my job as a photography instructor.

Meet my buddy, Tom Alvarez!

Be grateful for those who make us happy!
Marcel Proust

by Skip Cohen

It's just a light post for an uneventful Tuesday, but it's still a thought worth sharing. I often start each day wandering through a book of great quotes, and the one above struck me as so appropriate this morning.

I missed writing a Sunday Morning Reflections post last weekend, not because I couldn't come up with a topic, but because we had company, and I didn't want to spend time in my office at the computer.

After working together for so many years and doing the Mind Your Own Business and Tamron Recipes podcasts, plus a few others, we finally got Chamira Young and Troy to Florida for a visit. Chamira and I did over 150 podcasts together, but we only met for ten minutes at WPPI many years ago. While we met one evening at ClickCon in Detroit last year for a short visit before the program I was doing, there was never any quality time.

Here's my point, starting with the quote above. There's that old quote by Brian Chalker: "People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime." Well, our friendship started with a reason, co-hosting a great podcast. It was always more than a season; now, it's evolved into a lifetime. And the four of us hanging out together for a long weekend was all about being happy and grateful for a remarkable friendship.

In an online world where we all "know" so many people in cyberspace, it's a great experience when you finally get quality time together...LIVE! Social media, even phone calls, and Facetime are great for getting to know people, but nothing beats face-to-face time together!

Do you have friends with whom you've missed spending quality time? While everyone says time flies when you're having a good time, the reality is that in good times or tough times, the clock never slows down. Make time for those special people who are in your life for a reason, season, or lifetime. 

​And to Chamira and Troy, thanks for making the trip and heading a few miles south of Detroit! It was a perfect weekend.

​What a kick! ​

by Skip Cohen

My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all died of Alzheimer's. Two days ago, my good friend, Kristen Jensen, who also lost her mother to the disease, shared a post about Alzheimer's on Facebook. I'm unsure where the post started, but it was one of those please-share-chain-letter-type posts. While I normally hate stuff like this, it was so spot-on and accurate to what we experienced with my mother.

I started this post with the plan to share it yesterday, Throwback Thursday. I decided to combine a few of my favorite throwback images of my Mom with my own version of a public service message, which is below. Well, I posted the piece on my FB page and was surprised at the response from so many people. So, I decided to hold off and wrap up the week with an additional focus on the Alzheimer's aspect, and a mini-tribute to Mom, including a hand-colored portrait from around 1940.​

by Skip Cohen

​Now and then, an opportunity comes along for a trip you shouldn't miss! Shiv Verma's been a good friend for a whole lot of years. The respect I have for Shiv all started with his skill set. I found that my photography skills went up a notch every time we hung out together. The only thing more impressive than Shiv's skills is his passion as an artist and his focus on education. And when I'm stuck on an imaging challenge of my own, he's at the top of the list for a call to help get me out of a jam.

Well, Shiv has several of his own trips coming up, and he's got just three spots left for Tanzania from August 25 to September 2 of this year. It's all-inclusive, and I can assure you it's going to be top-shelf because Shiv never does anything halfway.

I pulled a few of his images for this post because they're all from past Tanzania trips. However, to really appreciate what it's like to travel with Shiv, click on any image to visit his website and check out the specifics for this upcoming trip.

"This is a peak season trip of a lifetime for up to 8, where you have only one photographer per row in the safari vehicles - all for a price that can't be beat. The annual migration in Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This photo adventure is planned to give you the opportunity to photograph the world's largest concentration of elephants per square mile in Tarangire National Park and travel to the northern plains of the Serengeti via Ndutu. Ndutu is one of the few regions where off-road game drives are permitted. We will visit the Mara and Sand Rivers to witness and photograph the annual wildebeest migration. Game drives will take advantage of the awesome light of the dry season"...read more.

​We all catch lots of opportunities for photo adventures being promoted every day, but knowing Shiv as I do, if Tanzania is on your wish list - this is one not to be missed. Check out his 2025 schedule below and click on any of the dates to visit Shiv's website...Wherever he's headed, you can count on a life-changing experience with one of the industry's very best!

by Skip Cohen

​Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, it's a family time of year and always special. It's a time to make memories with the people who mean the most to you. And here's my reminder: When you're together with older members of your family, DON'T FORGET TO VIDEO THEIR STORIES.

I've written a lot about legacy programs and documenting the stories of older relatives before they're no longer with you. Whether with your phone or camera doesn't make a difference. Take the time to corner those senior members of the family over the holidays.  

Now, take it one step further - if you've got kids in the house - assign them to be the family historians. If they're young, get the camera set up for them - and if they're older, give them some assignments. Stories like, "Sit down with Grandma and Grandpa and ask them how they met." Anything relevant in capturing those beautiful backstories that will disappear when older members of your family pass on.

Wishing everybody a wonderful holiday! Thank you for all your support, friendship, and feedback. It hasn't been the easiest year, but it's been one filled with memories, and as sappy as it sounds, it has been filled with a whole lot of love!

Happy Holidays! 

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day...
unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.
Saint Diamonds