My Top 10 of 2025

As I sit here reflecting on the past year, I’m filled with gratitude and a bit of disbelief at how quickly it flew by. This past year was eventful. There were challenges, but nothing tragic, for which I’m incredibly thankful. There were also many wins, and two unforgettable trips, one of them a bucket list adventure to Scotland.

At the end of each year, I like to take a walk down memory lane through my photo library and revisit the moments that shaped the year. During a recent coaching session, someone asked me how they could better remember everything I’ve shared and taught. My best answer? Take more photos. For me, pictures are how I remember places, people, and events.

Looking back through my 2025 images, it was no small task to narrow them down to just 10 (especially with that incredible trip to Scotland). But here they are, ten of my favorite photos from the year, shared in the order they were captured. I couldn’t possibly rank them…they’re all special in their own way.

1. Welcome to the Fun Zone

This one was captured at the abandoned Lake Dolores Waterpark off I-15 in California. I was driving back from Las Vegas and couldn’t resist the urge to stop and explore. I’ve always been drawn to abandoned places, and this one was an absolute playground for the imagination. If you’d like to see more from this adventure, I wrote about it here.

2. The Plumage Paradox

One May morning at Santee Lakes, I met up with friends in search of some rumored visitors—Black Swans passing through on migration. They were surrounded by bird photography paparazzi, so getting a clean shot was tricky. But zooming in, I captured this detail—and I love how it shows the intricate texture of the feathers.

3. Landing Gear Activated

In June, during a visit to the Central Coast to see my parents, my mom and I headed to Avila Beach early one foggy morning. We had the place nearly to ourselves, and this beautiful Great Blue Heron became the subject of many frames.

4. Fish & Chips, Hold the Chips

Back at Santee Lakes in August, I spent time watching a Snowy Egret fishing in a little corner of a lake where the water runs just enough to attract snacks. It’s always a treat to watch them work. While I don’t consider myself a “bird photographer,” I completely understand why people get hooked. Watching nature in motion like this is mesmerizing.

5. The Ancient One

September marked the first of two big trips. The first was a solo getaway to the Eastern Sierras. I rented a cozy condo for a week in Mammoth Lakes, worked half-days, and explored with my camera the rest of the time. It was magic. This photo was taken at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Bishop, CA, home to some of the oldest living trees in the world.

6. Revealed by Time

Also from the Sierra trip, this image was taken during a serene evening at Mono Lake. I arrived in the late afternoon and stayed well past sunset. I chatted with fellow photographers, watched birds swoop over the water, listened to the soft waves, and felt fully immersed in the timeless beauty of the place.

7. Peeking Through

One morning, friends and I headed to the Minaret Vista near Mammoth for sunrise. I’ve photographed this grove of trees many times, and they always inspire me. I especially love the shift from warm to cool tones in this image and how the sun bursts through the branches just so.

8. Light on the Edge of the Storm

On my last day in the Sierras, friends and I took off on some back roads north of Mono Lake. A storm was rolling in, and the light changed dramatically as clouds gathered. The fall colors were absolutely stunning. I love the tension in this photo; the warm, gold autumn colors in the foreground contrast with the cool storm building in the distance.

9. Angles of Old Town

In October, I had the joy of traveling to Scotland with my mom. Choosing just one or two photos from that trip was a challenge, but this shot from Edinburgh is a favorite. We ducked into a close off the Royal Mile and found ourselves in a quiet courtyard full of character. The walls and buildings felt like they held centuries of stories.

10. Enduring Grace

The remains of the abbey at Holyrood Palace were one of my favorite places to photograph in Scotland. At the far end of the Royal Mile, this place is full of atmosphere and history. Like the courtyard above, it sparked my imagination and gave me that familiar sense of awe that comes with exploring ruins. If you want to see more from Scotland, here are Part One, Part Two, and Part Three. More coming soon.

As 2026 begins, I’m excited to see where my camera will take me next. I don’t have a set itinerary, but I know there will be photos. Wishing you a joyful and peaceful New Year. I hope 2025 brought you moments of beauty and wonder, and that 2026 brings even more.