by Skip Cohen

​Great photographers are like terrific chefs. They have a favorite cuisine or, with Lewis Kemper, a specialty. They have a restaurant they're associated with, with Lewis, it's the outdoors. And they have their favorite tools of the craft; with Lewis, one key set of tools is thanks to Tamron.  

We're excited to welcome Lewis Kemper back to the Tamron Recipes series, featuring favorite images from some of the very best artists in imaging. He's a photographer, author, and educator who redefines passion for the outdoors and wildlife. Based out of Sacramento, his love for the outdoors and telling the story of North America has become his signature. He has been to 47 states, from Alaska to Florida. And his international travel has taken him to over ten countries, including China, Tibet, India, and Iceland, to name a few.

Having followed Lewis' work for many years, while his images are stunning, it's his passion for the craft I appreciate the most. His love for the wildlife and landscape has been a constant quest for the ultimate image for over 40+ years. He simply doesn't slow down!​

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.
Don't make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing 
and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off of you!
Maya Angelou

by Skip Cohen
 
​While we're all tired of talking about the pandemic and last year's challenges, there are some unique things to come out of the crisis. For example, within the photographic specialties, landscape photography was always accessible while still maintaining social distancing and health restrictions. And now, as we start to get back to normalcy, more photographers are traveling again, and capturing images outdoors and the landscape is more popular than ever. 

Chef Jonny Hill, when he launched his career in imaging, simply loved the outdoors. While there's probably nothing he can't photograph, hiking, camping, and being an explorer, right after his wife and newborn son, are at the very top of his list of passions. Living in Utah, which he describes as a "gateway to the west" in the podcast, has given him a never-ending canvas to capture his artistic visions, especially the night sky.

Check out Jonny's website, Instagram pages, and YouTube channel, and you'll immediately meet an artist who walks the talk with every click of the shutter. Jonny was also very specific over why he chose the 35-150 lens for his first image shared in last week's post. 
 
I made a statement many years ago about loving photography, "You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it!"  Well, Jonny's heart is completely in it, and he's committed to not only raising the bar on his own skills but helping other photographers improve theirs. He needs to be on your radar, and if you've got an interest in becoming a better landscape artist, keep your eye on his website for announcements of workshops next year.

And make it a point to follow Tamron's programs, because they set the standard for commitment to helping photographers raise the bar on the skillset. They're making some of the finest optics in imaging with the quality needed to help raise the bar on your images. Click on the banner below for their special savings program going on through July 4, 2021. 

Click on any image below to visit Chef Jonny's website.

​by Skip Cohen

​Time really does fly when you're having a good time. The fun of the Tamron Recipes series never slows down with each new "Chef" sharing something different every month. This is our thirtieth episode, and as I've written before, my cohost, Chamira Young and I underestimated the diversity of work we would be sharing and the insight shared by each chef.

And the more artists we work with, the more the analogy of comparing them to fine "Chefs" is appropriate. Their love for the craft never slows down, and their passion is infectious. 

Landscape artist Chef Jonny Hill joins us this month, combining his love for the outdoors with his ability to capture one image after another that is breathtaking.  
 
Jonny's work was featured in the Tamron Newsletter not too long ago with one image after another that drew me into wanting to see more of his work. Like all Tamron chefs, each new episode starts with a phone call and a conversation about the project. Jonny and I initially played a few rounds of email tag, but what a kick to finally talk with him and be introduced to his enthusiasm!

Over a year ago, I decided to go off in search of a quote that described each new chef. Well, after I hung up the phone with that first phone call, it wasn't hard to find one that seems appropriate for Jonny. Ever talk to somebody on the phone who you knew was smiling through the entire conversation?  ​

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.
Don't make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing 
and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off of you!
Maya Angelou

About Chef Jonny: If a picture's worth a thousand words, then Jonny's writing volumes with every photograph he shares. He's a British photographer living in Utah. While his main passion is creating landscape photographs, he never slows down on what he offers his clients, including video, product work, weddings, and events. But most of all, he loves the great outdoors and is an avid hiker, camper, and explorer. 

​About the Image: My original plan the morning of this photograph was to wake around 2am to photograph the Milkyway. However, it was completely clouded over. I went back to bed a little bit defeated as the clouds looked like they were going to stay throughout sunrise. Despite that I still woke before light and hiked out to this spot to go ahead with my sunrise plans. It was still cloudy and gray as I sat on this ridge overlooking these incredible monoliths.

As I started to lose hope, all of a sudden, these patches of pink and red started to appear as somewhere high up there, light was breaking through, creating these beautiful colours. It only lasted a few minutes but made it all worth it. ​

I hope you'll take the time to check out more of Jonny's work on his Instagram page, along with his website and growing YouTube channel.  He's always sharing great content! ​

Jonny shoots with a variety of Tamron lenses, but the 35-150mm is one of his favorites.  Click on the thumbnail to the right for more information, and join us on his podcast next week. Through the pandemic and now, coming out of the challenges, I'm not sure there's ever been a time when more photographers have an interest in landscape work. If you're going to take the time to capture and create beautiful images, then you need the very best tools!

Tamron never slows down in their programs to help artists raise the bar on the quality of their images. Check out their listing of local events, all within the appropriate safety and physical distancing guidelines.

Life is slowly getting back to normal, and with normalcy in imaging comes creativity. None of us will forget the restrictions of the last year, but now it's time to get back out and keep growing your skills as an artist. 

With Father's Day right around the corner, you've only got a few days left to take advantage of Tamron's new savings for the holiday. Don't miss out on some of the finest optics in photography today! Just click on the banner below for more information.

by Skip Cohen
​
​One of the unique things about the last year with the pandemic is that we all went through it. We all learned to "hunker down," an expression I never used before 2020. We were all dealing with a level of controlled isolation and social distancing, and a lot of us learned to "pivot." There's another word that was only in my vocabulary when talking about basketball.

Chef Taylor Brumfield, while hunkered down, needed to expand her skillset and pivot into product photographer, which included a touch of animation to many of her images. But here's a fun part of Taylor's backstory - she learned to pivot long before the pandemic. She expanded her teaching skills with her retouching classes just after becoming a new Mom and needing to be home with her daughter. And her husband is in the Navy, and she's had to pivot each time they've moved over the years because of relocation.

As a Tamron Image Master, Chef Taylor is shooting with a variety of Tamron lenses. We featured some of her images with the SP24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens in last week's post. Tamron's SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro lens is another favorite, and we've included it in today's gallery. Just click on the banners below for more information about these remarkable pieces of glass! 

Check out her website, galleries, and retouching schedule with a click on any of her images in this post. And if you're headed to IUSA in January, I'm sure Taylor will be involved at what promises to be an outstanding convention.

The pandemic didn't slow Taylor down from capturing and creating beautiful images, and Tamron never slowed down either. They're making some of the finest optics in imaging with the quality needed to help raise the bar on your images. Click on the banner below for their special savings program going on through July 4, 2021. 

Things are easing up, and slowly, we're getting back to normal. So, it's time to get back out there and start rebuilding your business and make it even stronger than it was before the pandemic. 

by Skip Cohen
 
​When Chamira and I started the Tamron Recipes project, we completely underestimated the diversity of the "Chefs" who would be sharing their journeys with us. The analogy of comparing artists to chefs becomes more and more appropriate with each post and podcast. And just like great chefs, there's always a common denominator in their focus - their love for the craft. 

For May and episode twenty-nine in the series, we're moving to an entirely new cuisine with Chef Taylor Brumfield. Based out of Virginia and a Tamron Image Master, she's a photographer, retoucher, and educator. Passionate about growing her skill set and business, she started her journey in portraiture, fashion, and beauty, but as you'll hear her discuss in the upcoming podcast, the pandemic made it necessary to pivot into product photography and animation.
 
Contact with every Tamron chef always starts with a phone call and a conversation about the project. Talking with Taylor, it was so easy to find a great quote that matches her dedication and love for the craft. 

If you love your work, you'll be out there every day trying to do it the best you possibly can,
​and pretty soon everybody around will catch the passion from you - like a fever.
Sam Walton

I'll admit it's a quote that coming out of a pandemic might seem inappropriate, but after that first conversation with Taylor, her love for the craft, Tamron, and the industry was contagious. She believes in education, expanding her skillset, and helping other photographers to do the same.

​About the Lead Image: I had already been experimenting somewhat with adding active elements to my photography in order to elevate and broaden my client offerings. But those initial experiments were mostly stop motion where the actual product or aspects of the product were in motion or engaging with the environment.

I decided to start playing with the idea of “portals” where I open up pockets of the scene or of the product and introduce a second scene that strengthens the visual concept of the scene but isn’t necessarily something that would or could happen organically without digital manipulation. I think it brings a fantastical element to the scenes and engages the viewers imagination in a way that leaves them wanting to see more and really stretches the possibilities of what I am able to do with my personal work as well as my client work.  

We hope you'll take the time to visit Taylor's website, and if you've got an interest in expanding your skills to retouching, check out her classes.  

by Skip Cohen
​
​The pandemic changed so many things in all of our lives, but one of the biggest challenges has been social distancing. But that sets the stage for the perfect guest chef this month, outdoor photographer Lewis Kemper. He shared a lot of terrific information in this podcast, including the background on his long exposure shot of the night sky from Mono Lake, which we featured last week. 

Chef Lewis was shooting with Tamron's SP15-30mm F.2.8 lens. Just click on the banner below for more information about this remarkable piece of glass! 

Even though things are slow to get back to normal, being outdoors with a camera can be incredibly rewarding, as well as safe. And Lewis never slows down working to help photographers raise the bar on their skills. Long before the rest of us were learning to use Zoom, Lewis was out there teaching.

Check out his website, galleries, and workshop schedule. I especially like his galleries because they're truly meant to be works of art on display and for sale. Each image is matted, framed, and signed, giving the viewer a much more realistic collection to appreciate. Visit Lewis Kemper Photography with a click on any of the images below. Viewing his galleries, you'll understand why I had such a hard time picking my favorites!  

Looking for an incredible photography trip in 2022? Travel with Lewis on his 2022 Eagle tours to Washington State and to Alaska and on his  Africa tour. 

And while the pandemic didn't slow Lewis down from capturing and creating beautiful images, Tamron never slowed down either. They're making some of the finest optics in imaging with the quality needed to help raise the bar on your images. Click on the banner below for their special Mother's Day Savings promotion going on right now!

Remember, "hunkering down" is about your health, not about your business, skill set, or your creativity!  ​

by Skip Cohen
 
​If you've followed Tamron Recipes for even a short time, you'll notice a common denominator with every "chef," their absolute love for the craft. And the analogy of comparing great photographers to fine chefs keeps getting more and more accurate.

This month we're bringing in a new "cuisine" with Chef Lewis Kemper. Lewis is all about capturing beautiful images outdoors and often shares photographs that simply take our breath away. Although I doubt there's anything he can't photograph, it's landscapes and wildlife that seem to own the biggest piece of real estate in his heart. He's a photographer, educator, fine art printer, and author, plus a good friend to so many people in the industry.
 
The fun of having Lewis join us this month is the history my co-host, Chamira Young, and I both share with him. Chamira had Lewis as her guest on one of her first podcasts, and Lewis and I did an episode of "Why?" on the SCU site in March 2018. Then there's another element that made working with Lewis so much fun; we share so many of the same friends.

New photographers don't realize what a small industry we are. We've all been to many of the same conventions, rubber-chicken dinners, stuck in airports over the years, or just waiting in line for an event. We've worked with many of the same vendors, and when people use the expression, "It takes a village," we're all part of that team. 

Every episode of Tamron Recipes starts with a phone call, and the conversation with Lewis couldn't have been more on point. It was easy to find a quote that fit his love for the craft and how much he wanted to share in the podcast as both an artist and educator.

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass,
but learning to dance in the rain!
Unknown Author

About Chef Lewis: In the upcoming podcast, scheduled to air on April 27, Lewis was very open about the challenges through the pandemic. One of the benefits of focusing on the outdoors is not being restricted by social distancing. He was out every day in his kayak with his camera. That pandemic also gave him time to start working with and developing some new techniques in night photography. He definitely learned to "dance in the rain." 

​About the Image: I have been taking night images for quite some time, but recently have gotten more interested in trying new techniques. In the past, I had done all my images as one exposure, but that is very limiting. Now I am experimenting with stacking images and also with using a star tracker. I am learning new things every day! 

Take the time to visit his website and especially his galleries. And if you've got an interest in outdoor photography, check out his workshops. Between his teaching modules and live workshops, there are already eight programs on the calendar for the rest of 2021 and an extraordinary trip to Kenya in 2022.
​

Even through the pandemic, Tamron has never slowed down in their efforts to help photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images.  Check out their listing of local events, all within the appropriate safety and physical distancing guidelines.

The lens Lewis used for the image above was the  SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2.  Click on the thumbnail to the right for more information, and join us on his podcast next week when he'll talk about the challenges with doing long exposures of the night sky.

He also used Starry Landscape Tracker. Knowing many of you have an interest in the capturing the night skies, here's the link.

While I'm looking forward to the day when I don't feel the need to mention anything about the pandemic, some of you still are missing the point - 

Hunkering down is about your health, NOT about growing as an artist and expanding your skillset. Growth only happens outside your comfort zone. So, stay active in social media and spend time with your camera in your hands every day, capturing images for your most important client...YOU!

There are eight different lenses featured in Tamron's Spring Rebates - going on now through May 2. Click on the banner below for more information.

by Skip Cohen

Eugene Manning joins us in the Tamron kitchen this month. His focus is all on fashion photography. Based out of NYC, he's in one of the most competitive markets in the world for fashion. But as you'll pick up in the podcast, nothing slows down his love for the craft or goal to keep raising the bar on the quality of his images.

Over the last almost two and a half years, we've shared chefs' stories from so many different "cuisines," but Eugene is our first exclusively from the fashion world. He shares a lot of great insight into his craft, especially the importance of relationship building.

Chef Eugene's recipe is a click away, which we shared last week. Eugene was shooting with Tamron's SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro lens. Just click on the banner at the bottom for more information about this remarkable piece of glass! Follow Eugene on his Instagram page; He shares both new images and information about his shooting schedule regularly. 
​ 
As things start to improve, There are so many levels of freedom we're all realizing we took for granted. But the pandemic has also created opportunities to demonstrate leadership and have your work stand out from the crowd. Tamron never slows down making great products with the quality needed to help raise the bar on your images.

Remember, "hunkering down" is about your health, not about your business, skill set, or your creativity!  ​
​
Spring Savings! In need of great optics and new gear? Check out Tamron's new Spring savings program going on until May 2, 2021.

by Skip Cohen
 
When Chamira Young and I started this series, the idea of comparing photographers to great chefs just seemed like a novel approach. After all, just like your favorite cuisines, there's always a chef involved, creating the presentation and the flavors. Even the legendary portrait artist, Don Blair, used to refer to using a hair-light as the "garlic-light," always stressing that you only needed a small amount.

Like great chefs, the photographers we've featured are passionate about their work and love for the craft. Fashion photographer Eugene Manning joins us this month, and his passion for the craft matches any great chef you've ever heard about. 

The process of featuring a photographer starts with a phone call. We wanted to feature Eugene after a story about his work was featured in the Tamron Newsletter. (You need to sign up for this publication if you don't already receive it.)

Eugene and I talked, and a few days later he sent me several of his favorite images. Loving black and white, like so many of us do, I decided to try something a little different and feature two of his favorite photographs side by side. While the pandemic has changed so much in our lives, it hasn't slowed down Eugene's quest to capture and create! 

Early into this series, I started having fun finding a quote that seemed to fit each artist. It's often based on what comes out of that first phone call. Eugene was excited about the Tamron Recipes concept, and combined with his enthusiasm for imaging it wasn't hard to find a quote that fits. 

Keep up your enthusiasm.
​There is nothing more contagious than exuberant enthusiasm.
Harry Houdini

by Skip Cohen

​Because of the coronavirus and the pandemic, there are more people online than at any time in the history of the Internet. I'm one of those millions out in cyberspace looking at photographs and meeting contemporary artists. In my travels a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across this phenomenal black and white image by Marc Morris.

I was blown away by the texture of the image and went off in search of the artist. Since the photo was tagged with "Tamron," I knew there was a possibility of a new guest for Tamron Recipes.

Are you looking for new gear? Click on the banner to the right and then bookmark the page. Tamron's current "New Year, New Gear" promotion ends on February 28.  
​
It's been almost a year since the pandemic took hold. Over and again, I've shared the same kind of comment. It's critical  to stay focused on your passion for the craft and your dreams as an artist.  Everyone is dealing with the same challenges and the loss of so many freedoms we took for granted.

Even with the challenges, especially in business, the pandemic has given us something remarkable, TIME. Use the downtime to build your skill set, expand your creativity outside your comfort zone and become a more diverse artist. 

Remember, "hunkering down" is about your health, not about your business, skill set, or your creativity!  ​

​Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some terrific contests to share your work. The Tamron team isn't slowing down and continues to support the imaging community the best they can. There are programs taking place all over the country, and especially in Cyberspace! ​

by Skip Cohen

Think about how we share images today versus twenty years ago. From Facebook to Instagram and even LinkedIn, we share photographs as often as we like. No waiting for a convention to catch friends, carrying a portfolio case, or putting prints in the mail - we've got instant fulfillment at any time.

Marc Morris joins us this month, and it's thanks to 
Facebook that we first saw his photograph above. From FB, I headed to his LinkedIn page to learn more about him, which led to a great phone call.

Besides a stunning image, there are two additional reasons to feature his work this month. First, we're still in the pandemic, and restrictions abound. However, it's not hard to physically distance when you're outdoors. Second, Marc's photograph crosses that line from landscape into fine art.  I want to see his image blown up to a five by seven-foot print in an office or living room with a cathedral ceiling! 

The pandemic has changed everything in our lives, but not the passion of our chefs. Chef Marc couldn't be more proud to be a photographer, as well as help other artists raise the bar on their skill set.  

Finding a quote that relates to each chef became part of this series starting early in 2019. It wasn't hard to find one that fit Marc - in fact; he wrote a lot about the photograph and the feeling he wanted to capture when he clicked the shutter. 

“Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at,
then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”
Don McCulin

About Chef Marc: Marc's based out of Denver, as a Sales Representative for Tamron USA. Members of the Tamron team don't often join us in the Tamron Kitchen, but the image was so powerful, it deserved to be shared. As Marc and I talked, it turns out he and I met a few years back at WPPI, and like so many people in this industry, we have a lot of mutual friends. 

​About this Image: "I was in Hawaii on a work trip. There are many misconceptions about road warrior gigs, and one of the biggest (and most understandable) is that it’s a constant vacation, tourism mode activated 24/7, being that we do indeed travel constantly. However, I had never been to Hawaii, so when I was asked to head out in support of a fairly large workshop being hosted by Pro Camera Hawaii, I certainly didn’t turn the opportunity down. The trip was tightly packed, with very little room for “extracurricular activities.”

Due to weather (a right proper morning to midday monsoon with flooding that the locals laughably took utterly in stride) and the workshop schedule, I was only able to find a few hours before my flight back to Denver to go exploring...I had never shot in a rain forest before...There were pockets of the trail that clearly had their own microclimate: rain would form and fall at random, and the oxygen-rich environment allowed me an energy and movement I’d not had for years. O’ahu. Island of eternal youth.

I’m a highly tactile person, and this translates to my photography. When I’m scanning a subject or an environment, not only am I watching the light and its fluidity, how it fills this well, how shallow or deep others may be in their shadows… but I’m also seeking texture. Texture is what sells depth, scale, and to a certain extent, authenticity. I like images I can feel. If I’m looking at a photo and my hands itch, I know the photographer got something right: it’s in the fingertips. And the rainforest is if you’ll pardon me, absolutely saturated with texture.

The image you see here is an expanse that opened up off a corner of the trail, and its dimensionality was so overwhelming I was rooted to the spot. A floor above the floor. A sky below the sky. It was unlike anything I’ve ever personally witnessed in nature, and I simply had to try to capture it to see if I could translate its depth to print. It took about 20 minutes of working that corner, about forty feet up and down the trail, changing lenses for perspective studies before I settled on the 17-35 at the wide end. It was the only lens that was truly able to fit the scene, corner to corner, at the points where I needed the photo to end while also keeping that world within a world feel I wanted to come across."

Take the time to visit Chef Marc's Instagram page.  He regularly shares great content and photographs that will tell you more about his love for the craft.

In the world of photography, the first quarter of each year has always been a series of "reunions," as we all attend the various key conventions around the country. The pandemic has changed that for 2021, but it hasn't slowed Tamron down. Online and off, in small programs around the country, they support imaging artists as best they can. Check out their listing of local events, all within the appropriate safety and physical distancing guidelines.

The lens Marc used for the image above was the 17-35mm F2.8-4 Di OSD. Click on the thumbnail to the right for more information, and understanding why he made this choice for the coverage of the scene he wrote about. 
​
I write the same reminder with so many posts - hunkering down is about your health, NOT about growing as an artist and expanding your skill set. Nothing grows if you stay in your comfort zone. That means the downtime you're experiencing now is an opportunity to raise the bar on the quality of your images. 

​Stay active in social media and spend time with your camera in your hands every day, capturing images for your most important client...YOU!

One year ago yesterday, the first case of the Coronavirus was diagnosed, and the government assured us it was all under control. There was nothing to worry about. Well, they were obviously wrong. It was hardly under control, but over the last year, we've all learned a lot about what is within our control. As artists, you've got control over your creativity, and even with the pandemic, there are plenty of opportunities to capture and create stunning images.​

Nick Irwin is this month's featured Tamron Chef, and his specialty of landscape is perfect for safety during the pandemic. And while doses of the vaccine have started and there's more optimism going into this new year, things aren't going to change overnight. That keeps the power of developing your creativity in your hands, and being outdoors is one of the safest venues to be in now.

Nick shares a lot of great insight on his passion for the outdoors during this new podcast. He's also a relationship builder with a serious focus on the people he's met along his short journey in imaging so far. The minute he starts talking about photography, you can't help but catch his love for time with a camera in his hands.

Chef Nick's recipe is a click away, which we shared last week. And for more information about Tamron's 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RDX lens, click on the banner at the bottom of today's post. Follow Nick on his Instagram page, where he's regularly sharing great images from Michigan and as the ease of travel comes back into our lives, you'll see more from all over the country!

​Are you looking for new gear? Check out Tamron's "New Year, New Gear" savings program. For all the information and the products included, click on the banner to the right.
​
With each podcast post from the Tamron Kitchen since the pandemic started, I've shared the same kind of comment. It's so important to stay focused on your passion for the craft and your dreams as an artist. For the first time in history, we're all dealing with so many of the same challenges. There are so many levels of freedom we've taken for granted in the past. However, the pandemic has given us something remarkable, TIME. Use the downtime to build your skillset, expand your creativity outside your comfort zone and become a more diverse artist. 

Remember, "hunkering down" is about your health, not about your business, skill set, or your creativity!  ​

Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some terrific contests to share your work. The Tamron team isn't slowing down and continues to support the imaging community the best they can. There are programs taking place all over the country, and especially in Cyberspace! ​

by Skip Cohen

​It's 2021, and what a kick to launch a new season of Tamron Recipes with a chef whose specialty is outdoors and pandemic-perfect. We started this series in 2019 when words like "hunkering down" were pretty removed from our vocabulary.

While the pandemic changed everything in our lives, it hasn't dampened any of our chefs' enthusiasm. Many of them have used the challenge of downtime to expand their skill set and mix up the "cuisines" they're best known for.

Michigan based artist Nick Irwin joins us on this first Tamron Recipes for the new year. He's a part-time fine art and landscape photographer with a full-time love for the craft. His website and Instagram page especially present one outstanding image after another. It made it hard for us to pick a favorite for this first part of his series!

After the first few chefs in the series in 2019, I started sharing a quote that seemed to describe each featured artist best. For most of them, like Nick, the quotes have been based on my first introduction to them through both their images and a phone call or two. One phone call with Nick, and it couldn't be easier to find a quote that describes his love for photography and the outdoors!

Passion is energy.
Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.
Oprah Winfrey

About Chef Nick and This Image: When I first spoke with Nick about his love for photography, the energy of that passion came through loud and clear! It's obvious how much photography, the outdoors, and Michigan are part of his life. What's impressive is how short a time he's been working with "real" camera gear. His love for imaging starting through photographs he was posting using his phone. People liked what he was sharing, and somebody suggested it was time he got a real camera. 

Scott Bourne once wrote about photography being the great equalizer. To paraphrase, It doesn't matter what your background is, your financial status, what you look like, etc. - the quality of each photograph is how you're judged. ​

About the image above: This was last July. I went to shoot the comet Neowise as I did the night before at a different lighthouse. I did not expect the Northern Lights to show up. I was actually done shooting the comet which was in the north sky and walked to the other side of the lighthouse for milky way shots towards the south. Then I saw the green glow in the sky. Off I went back up the opposite dune and took several shots, even helped a couple other photographers with their settings.

​Little Sable Point Light in Michigan is one of my favorite places to do night photography because the sky is dark and it’s only an hour away. This photo was published by National Geographic with another one of mine this past August.

Take the time to visit Nick's Instagram page. You'd never know he was relatively new to the industry when you scroll through the images he's shared.

​The most challenging adjustment many of us have had to make due to the pandemic is not being in physical proximity with our peers and the various vendors/manufacturers who support our love for imaging. While many companies have reduced their activities to a minimal presence, Tamron isn't slowing down. Online and off, in small programs around the country, they support imaging artists as best they can. Check out their listing of local events, all within the appropriate safety and physical distancing guidelines.

​​And, if you currently own any Tamron lenses, don't miss out on the benefits of the Tamron V.I.P. Club. Check out the short video below, highlighting just one of the advantages of being a member, but you only have a few more days to get your lenses registered!

​The lens Nick used for the image above was the 28-75mm F2.8 zoom. Specifically designed for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, click on the thumbnail to the right for more information. 
​
I feel like I've written this same thing just about every month for almost a year - Remember, hunkering down is about your health, NOT about growing as an artist and expanding your skill set. There's very little that grows in your comfort zone, which makes the downtime we're all experiencing perfect for raising the bar on the quality of your images.

​Stay active in social media and spend time with your camera in your hands every day, capturing images for your most important client...YOU!

by Skip Cohen

​As we cross the nine-month mark of the pandemic, life has changed for all of us. Just about every photographer and business owner have seen their fair share of challenges, drops in business, and the necessity to refocus and expand into other specialties.

And speaking of specialties, in the hierarchy of why people hire a professional photographer, the top three have been brides, babies, and pets for years. This was based on a Kodak survey done over twenty-five years ago, and I doubt it changed - until the pandemic. With so many weddings and events on hold, I'm betting brides have dropped in the ranking, and new parents have many of the same health concerns. That puts pets up at the top.

Our timing couldn't be better to step into the Tamron Kitchen with "Chef" Molly Dombroski. And while her body of work is clearly about the relationship between her and two pups, Mylo and Summit, she shares some great tips about photographing the furriest members of your family.
 
Chef Molly's recipe is a click away, which we shared last week. And for more information about Tamron's 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD lens, click on the banner at the bottom of today's post.

​There's also a pretty remarkable savings program going on through the holidays. For all the information and the products included in the promotion, just click on the banner to the right.
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I share the same closing comments every month related to the frustrations we're all feeling. The level of freedom we took for granted has been severely limited. But despite the difficulties, the pandemic has given us something extraordinary, TIME. And with that time, we're seeing new creativity from artists all over the world. Things have changed for all of us, but not the potential to expand our skill set, creativity and become a better, more diverse artist.  

Tamron's team never slows down and continues to support the imaging community the best they can. There are programs taking place all over the country, and especially in Cyberspace! Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some terrific contests to share your work. 
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Whether you've got "kids" to photograph like Chef Molly or not, click on any image to visit her Instagram page. She regularly shares great content featuring Mylo and Summit!

by Skip Cohen
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​​If there's one thing everybody agrees on, it's that 2020 was a tough year. The pandemic changed so many different things in our lives, but it didn't stifle creativity. Downtime seems to have spurred some artists on, often going beyond their comfort zones as they grew their skill sets.

This is our last "Chef" in the series for this year, with a whole new set of episodes planned for 2021. Thanks to support from Tamron USA, together with my co-host Chamira Young, we're going to continue introducing you to artists who are making their work stand out. It all starts with one of their favorite images, and then whether they're a seasoned veteran or a relative newbie, it's their body of work that helps define their love for the craft. Each backstory and "Chef," just like your favorite restaurant, is unique. 

The chef analogy has been with us since the very first episode. Every good photographer knows the basics, but each one has a unique style and often vision for the final images. Like enjoying a great meal at your favorite restaurant, each Tamron Chef has shared their recipes, as well as their passion for the craft and continued growth as an artist. 

Molly Dombroski joins us in the Tamron Kitchen this month. Her work is all about her two best friends, Summit and Mylo, and her work is simply fun to view. It's also so relevant at this point in time - the pandemic brought a substantial rise in pet ownership. All that downtime with families stuck at home made it ideal for adding new furry members to families across the country.

Near the beginning of this series, I started searching for a quote to help describe our guest Chef just a little better. Well, the only thing hard about finding a quote for Molly was selecting one of the dozens of great quotes about what dogs mean in our lives. 

​On a podcast recently, in reference to the pandemic, I was asked, "So, what do you miss the most?" There was no hesitation in my answer, "I miss bumping into people, literally!" As conventions all move to an online virtual presence, I miss those handshakes and hugs with so many people in the industry - many of them my friends at Tamron USA. But Tamron isn't slowing down on their presence, online and off, in small programs around the country. Check out their listing of local events, all within safety and physical distancing guidelines.

​And, take the time to visit Tamron's website, always loaded with great content, as well as their YouTube channel.  
 
One of Molly's favorite lenses is also featured in the current Tamron savings program, the 28-75mm zoom for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. Click on the banner below for information on their current promotion or to the right for more info about this outstanding lens. 
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And while I've written that same words every month, as we wait for a vaccine and an end to the pandemic, remember - Hunkering down is about your health, NOT about growing as an artist and expanding your skill set. Growth only happens outside your comfort zone, and right now, for the first time in everyone's career, we've got something unique - TIME. Use it to keep in touch with your clients. Stay active in social media and spend a little time with your camera in your hands every day, capturing images for your most important client...YOU!

There's that line we've all heard and used, "Timing is everything!"  Approaching nine months of dealing with the pandemic, talking about outdoor photography couldn't be more appropriate at this time. As we all hunker down, being able to get outside with a camera in your hands has become one of a photographer's greatest assets.

We're stepping out of the Tamron Kitchen but into the world of a great Tamron Chef. Dan Walters joins us on this new podcast, and it's loaded with solid content. While his main passion for subject matter involves the birding world, it's his love for the craft, no matter what he's focused on, that comes across loud and clear in the conversation with Chamira Young and me. And, while I usually only share one quote with each Tamron Recipe, the two I found above highlight what I've learned about Chef Dan. 

Chef Dan's recipe is a click away, which we shared last week. And for more information about Tamron's 150-600mm G2 lens, click on the banner at the bottom of today's post.

​There's a pretty remarkable savings program going on through the holidays. For all the information and the products included in the promotion, just click on the banner to the right.
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I know it's getting a little old, as I share these comments in so many blog posts - We're all feeling the same frustrations. The pandemic has restricted the level of freedom we took for granted. But at the same time, the pandemic has given us something we NEVER have - time. Don't let your passion for the craft get buried under the stress of the pandemic. Things have changed a lot for all of us, but not the potential to expand your skill set and become a better and more diverse artist.  

Tamron's team is taking full advantage of that time and not slowing down in their support for photographers all over the country - they've just moved to cyberspace. Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some terrific contests to share your work. 
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And while Dan may live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country - when it comes to critters to photograph, they're all around us - no matter where you live. To see more of Chef Dan's work, just click on any of his images in this post.

by Skip Cohen

​As the year winds down, it's hard to believe this Tamron Recipes post is the 23rd in the series. With support from Tamron USA, my co-host Chamira Young and I have shared some great content, thanks to some remarkable artists' insight. Each backstory about their favorite photograph has been unique, and then a week later, our podcast conversation with the "chef" has introduced you to even more of their work. 

The chef analogy came into play right from the beginning. While every good photographer knows the basics, each one has a unique style and often vision for the final image. Like enjoying a great meal at your favorite restaurant, each Tamron Chef has shared their recipes, as well as their passion for the craft and continued growth as an artist. 

Dan Walters joins us in the Tamron Kitchen this month. The timing is perfect for sharing his favorite cuisine, outdoor wildlife. The pandemic has changed so much in all of our lives, especially as more photographers head to the safety of outdoor shooting. 

Near the beginning of this series, I started searching for a special quote that seemed to describe some aspect of the enthusiasm and love for the craft brought out in the conversations with each chef. In regards to Dan, I loved two quotes that, after getting to know him better, seem to fit:  

 “Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”
Don McCullin

​“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.”
Robert Lind

About "Chef" Dan: In Dan's short bio on his website, he has a statement that sets the stage for his photography and fits perfectly with those two quotes above:

When I capture an image, I try not just to document what I saw but try to engage the viewer with the subject. I do this by combining light, eye contact, and a clean background. 

Dan's passion as an artist, photographer, and educator clearly comes through in the upcoming podcast. Living in Colorado, he doesn't have to travel very far to find new subjects, often just a short bike ride, and he's found plenty to photograph.

About one of his favorite images above, he wrote:

These egrets can be very territorial in regards to their favorite fishing areas. This egret saw another egret that was a little too close and promptly chased it off...What I like about using this zoom is that I was able to zoom out a little and include the whole bird without clipping the wings.
 
Please take the time to visit Chef Dan's website.  And, if you're in Florida in the spring of next year, Dan will be teaching at the Birding and Photofest in St. Augustine. Click on the banner below for more information. ​

​Downtime has allowed so many photographers to expand their skill set and what's in their camera bag. Well, Tamron never slows down on manufacturing top of the line optics to help you expand your creativity, as well as the quality of your images. Right to the point - they make great glass!

While we all miss the conferences and conventions we'd attend in the past; the pandemic also hasn't slowed down Tamron USA's continued presence with workshops around the country. Check out their listing of local events, all within safety and physical distancing guidelines.

​And, take the time to visit Tamron's website, always loaded with great content, as well as their YouTube channel.  
 
One of Dan's favorite lenses is also featured in the current Tamron rebate program. Click on the banner below for information on their current promotion.  
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And I know I've written the same thing almost every month - Hunkering down is about your health, NOT about growing as an artist and expanding your skill set. You still need to maintain a strong presence in your business, build relationships, and remind your target audience you're a photographer and available to help them with their imaging needs.

by Skip Cohen
 
We all know the expression, time flies when you're having a good time. Even through the pandemic's challenges, working with the "chefs" in the Tamron Kitchen has been a kick. I find it hard to believe this is our tenth installment for the year. Each chef has shared their love for the craft, along with Tamron lenses. And through the pandemic, these creative tools have been critical elements allowing them to continue to capture and create important memories for their clients. 

Vanessa Guzzo is in the spotlight for this new episode of Tamron Recipes. Vanessa is all about family, children, and capturing joy. The quote I found above is perfect in describing her love for photography and working with her clients.

Chef Vanessa's recipe is a click away if you missed it when it was posted last week. For more information on Tamron's 24-70 mm F/2.8 lens, click on the banner below. And check out Vanessa's website. What I pulled for today's post are just a few of my favorites. (Click on any image to view in the SCU Light Box) As you look through her images, you'll notice a common theme...love.
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As a result of the pandemic and everyone being hunkered down, I share the same comments so often in posts. We're all in this together, and everybody has the same frustrations. But as Vanessa talks about in her podcast, it's still important to keep in touch with your clients. Being hunkered down doesn't mean from your business or your clients.

This is also the perfect time to keep expanding your skill set and take a look at adding a new lens to your gear. Tamron's team isn't slowing down in their support for photographers all over the country - they've just moved to cyberspace. Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some terrific contests to share your work.  ​
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by Skip Cohen

​October marks our tenth episode of Tamron Recipes for the year. Thanks to support from Tamron USA, it's been a kick for Chamira Young and me to help showcase the work from some very talented artists. But more than just their images, have been their backstories and insight to an industry they each love dearly. We always share one of their favorite photos to start and then follow a week later with the podcast interview.

When we started to build the concept, the idea of the chef analogy came into play. We had no idea how relevant that comparison would become. Like a fine chef at your favorite restaurant, each artist has their unique style, favorite cuisines, and their kitchen is home to hundreds of recipes, each demonstrating their passion for the craft and dedication to their clientele!

Vanessa Guzzo joins us in the Tamron Kitchen this month. Her favorite cuisine is about kids and family. She's all about people and couldn't love the craft more than she does.

At the beginning of this series, I started searching for quotes that seemed to match what I felt following my first conversation with each chef and looking at their work. It wasn't hard to find one that seemed to fit Vanessa. When her podcast airs next week, you'll definitely pick up on how much she loves the craft and her clients!

Doing what you love is freedom.
​Loving what you do is happiness.
Lana Del Ray

About "Chef" Vanessa: Vanessa is all about families, lifestyle, and capturing memories. And as often as we all hear expressions about the importance of capturing those special moments, Vanessa makes it a point to stay in touch with her clients. She's the "palace guard" for every family she works with, guarding the gate making sure those special moments don't just disappear.

There's a statement on her website that describes it all:

Vanessa's stunning portfolio captures love, laughter, and joy, through an artist's eye with a keen attention to detail that only she can provide. Consistently going beyond creating images to making memories that last, it's no wonder so many families turn to her again and again for the most important moments in their lives.
 
I hope you'll take the time to visit Chef Vanessa's website. You'll notice a couple of common denominators in her images - JOY and style. And while I usually don't share more photographs than the first one in the Recipes series, her headers on her portfolio caught my eye. It doesn't get more appealing to "Mom" than this one.  ​

About the Image:   A well known photographer in our industry, when I asked him once to send a couple of his most favorite images replied, "Wow- that's almost impossible. It's like asking me which one of my kids I love the most." Well, It wasn't easy for Vanessa, but what she wrote about the image for today's recipe explains why it's a favorite.

This image was taken in Long Island City, NY. The inspiration for this image was “I LOVE NY”. Being a native New Yorker I always feel so alive and inspired by the glitz of the Big Apple. I also wanted to relay the feeling of being on top of the world. 

by Skip Cohen

There are two primary common-denominators between all the chefs who have joined us in the Tamron Kitchen. First, is they obviously love working with Tamron gear. However, the relationship with Tamron USA started for each of them; it's in full swing because of the quality of their lenses and the members of the Tamron team. Second is their love for the craft. There's nothing they'd rather be doing than be out with a camera in their hands.

Ian Jones joins us in this new episode, and his love for the craft is right up there with the most recognized artists. And, along with his passion for the craft comes his trademark of listening to his clients and then working hard to exceed their expectations. He's also a DIY guy, preferring to experiment, practice, and then experiment and practice some more. He's not a fan of structured education but instead likes to learn things on his own.

Chef Ian's recipe is a click away if you missed it when it was posted last week. And for more information on Tamron's 17-28 mm F/2.8 lens, click on the banner below. You can also see more of Ian's work on his website, rr click on any of his images in this post.
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We all share many of the same frustrations today, dealing with downtime and the challenges of the pandemic. So, as you're hunkered down, spend some time thinking about your skill set and your portfolio. Things are starting to open up a little as business slowly improves, and you want your skills to be as strong and diverse as possible. Just remember that being hunkered down doesn't mean from your business or your clients.

This is the perfect time to follow Ian's lead and make it a point to be out regularly with your camera. Work on expanding your skill set and building new relationships while reinforcing older ones. When the pandemic is behind us, your clients will know just who to call when they think about photography! Ian's not slowing down in continuing to grow as an artist, and neither should you.
 
Tamron's support team doesn't slow down either - they've just moved to cyberspace. Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some terrific contests to share your work.  ​