Hanging Out with Great Photographers
I grew up playing tennis, and being a bit obsessed with it, I was always trying to improve. I ran, lifted weights, did drills for specific muscles, played countless practice matches, and entered tournaments. It was all I thought about - I poured time and effort into getting better.
Though I don’t play tennis anymore (these days all my free time goes into photography), the habits I built back then still show up in how I approach my craft. I want to improve, so I seek out ways to do that. I read about photography, study techniques, shoot constantly, and edit just as much. I also spend time analyzing photos I admire, imagining the creative and technical choices that went into them.
Another thing I love - though I don’t get to do it often - is spending time with other photographers whose work I respect. Since I usually travel and shoot alone, I rarely get that kind of inspiration or connection. Honestly, I miss it.
Meeting other photographers, even when we’re not shooting, is incredibly motivating. I love the energy and conversation, and walking away feeling recharged - ready to grow, learn, and create stronger images.
Recently, while I was in Colorado (a hotspot that time of year), I was fortunate to connect with several photographers I admire. Some meetings were planned, others pure coincidence - but each one left a mark.
Albert Dros
I’ve met Albert several times - we’ve both been guides on Luminar Photo Tours in Iceland - but on those trips, the guests naturally get most of his time and attention. This time, it was just the two of us. We spent a couple of hours in a coffee shop between shoots, catching up on life, photography, and the industry.
If you’ve ever seen Albert’s work, you know he’s among the best. When I saw on Instagram that he was nearby, I reached out right away. Getting to sit down and have a real conversation, without the busyness of a tour around us, was a genuine treat. It reminded me how valuable it is to share thoughts with people operating at such a high level in the field.
Website: https://www.albertdros.com/
Albert and I in Ouray, CO
Ryan Smith and Mark Denney
Ryan and Mark were running a workshop in the area during my trip. I’d met Ryan before - he hosted a landscape photography conference I spoke at a few years ago in Utah - so I reached out to see if we could connect without interrupting their group. Luckily, timing and location aligned and he was kind enough to invite me to meet them during a coffee break. I also got to chat with a few of their workshop attendees, which is always fun.
I hadn’t met Mark before, though we’ve exchanged a few messages online. I’ve followed his YouTube channel for years and really admire what he’s built. Both Ryan and Mark are exceptional photographers, but they’ve each carved out their own slightly different paths in the industry: Ryan runs a thriving fine art print shop and workshop/tour business, while Mark focuses on YouTube, courses, and workshops. Two different models - both clearly working well (this is just my view of their businesses as an outsider).
We didn’t get deep into industry talk, but it was great simply hanging out with such talented, down-to-earth people and getting to know them better. I walked away inspired for sure.
Ryan’s website: https://www.ryansmithfineart.com/
Ryan’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryansmithfineart/
Mark’s website: https://markdenneyphotography.com/
Mark’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/markdenneyphoto/
Ryan, me, and Mark in Silverton, CO
Tom Kingsford
Meeting Tom was pure chance. One morning, while driving a dirt road looking for a good mountain view, I spotted him with his tripod already set up. The light was changing quickly, and I figured that was as good a spot as any - so I pulled over, grabbed my gear, and wandered over.
We started chatting (fellow Sony shooters always find common ground), and I took a few frames from the same area - sorry for the comp stomp, Tom! 😂
I later discovered Tom’s work on Instagram - he’s an incredible photographer with a fantastic eye. We connected there the next day, and I’m really glad we did. It’s always a pleasure to meet talented people, especially by accident. We did not take a picture together, so no “usie” to share here.
Parting Thoughts
It was an incredible week of photography, but also a week of inspiration - largely thanks to the people I met. Since I usually shoot alone, spending time with photographers like these felt like a creative recharge.
Going forward, I want to make more of an effort to connect with others when I travel. Photography will probably always be a mostly solitary pursuit for me, but these encounters add meaning and depth beyond the photos themselves. They remind me that creativity doesn’t exist in isolation - it grows through connection.
The images from Colorado are special to me - but it’s the conversations and connections that linger. Great photos capture light; great people spark it. And I’m grateful for both. I came home with memory cards full of images and a heart full of inspiration. It’s funny how a week in the mountains can remind you that progress isn’t just about technique - it’s also about community.
How are you engaging with the photography community?
