In the Beginning

This is the shot that started it all.

I took this shot at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, alone on a cold February morning in 2010. I was living in Las Vegas with my mother, after retiring on disability from a very stressful job in Washington, DC.

Red Rock Canyon was my favorite place to go in Sin City to find peace and solitude amongst the fragrant creosote and majestic mountains of the Nevada desert landscape. The scenic drive there always filled my soul.

Fast forward to May 2010, when I learned of Red Rock Canyon’s annual photography contest. I wanted to enter this photo because I knew it was something special, but I had no idea how to edit it or how to even open Photoshop.

I happened to mention my dilemma to my new friend, Mark, who I had bumped into from time to time at my mother’s office parties. I remember how excited he was as he offered to help me edit my work.

With this shot, Mark and I discovered our mutual love of nature and photography. With this shot, we fell in love.

This city girl from D.C., who was just beginning to explore the landscapes of the West with her new camera, and the retired Air Force Pararescueman, turned network administrator, who grew up taking pictures in his hometown of Santa Barbara, began a journey of creating art together.

Through the years, despite many health challenges (more about that in future blog posts), we have managed to travel across the country, most recently with our new camper van that we affectionately call PeeWee, taking pictures and illustrating.

Making nature’s art. That’s what we do, that’s what we share with you, and we love it.

Oh, and my shot won third place in the monochromatic category in Red Rock Canyon’s 2010 Photography contest.