How to Photograph Meteors

How to Photograph Meteors

Everything You Need to Know to Photograph the Prolific 2016 Perseid Meteor Shower

The 2016 Perseid Meteor shower peaks this weekend and astronomers believe it could be a shower for the ages with rates up to 200 meteors per hour. Perseid meteors are small pieces of debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. Usually Earth grazes the edge of this debris, but thanks to the gravitational pull of Jupiter, this year we will plow straight through the middle of it. 

Severe Weather Safety in the Lone Star State

Severe Weather Safety in the Lone Star State

As April wears on we are getting deeper into the heart of severe weather season in the state of Texas. This state is no stranger to violent weather systems causing scores of fatalities. In 2015, 24 Texans perished during the Memorial Day Floods, while 11 lost their lives in tornadoes on December 26th (8 in Garland alone). 

Twelve Tips for Taking Perfect Bluebonnet Pictures

Twelve Tips for Taking Perfect Bluebonnet Pictures

Bluebonnet season is here and the roadsides and fields are quickly filling in with wildflowers! Whether you decide to make your own images or hire a professional (ahem,) these tips will help you be sure your bluebonnet family photos will be the best they can be. 

When History Dies

When History Dies

One thing about photography that I find interesting is its ability to cause us to become emotionally invested in places that we would otherwise have no connection to. Locations where we take images become important to us through the resulting photography.

The Ten Best Stargazing Spots in Texas

The Ten Best Stargazing Spots in Texas

The stars at night, shine big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas. But where do they shine the biggest and brightest? Here is my list of the top spots in the state to take in the night sky. 

The Complete Guide to Shooting the Milky Way

The galactic center of the Milky Way is beginning to be visible in the Northern Hemisphere before dawn, as it rises on the southeast horizon. It will retroactively be visible for longer durations as the year wears on through October, when it aligns closer with the sun and is no longer visible.

Shooting the Milky Way can be very challenging, yet rewarding. The following will teach you everything you need to know to go out and capture your own view of our galaxy. 

The Ten Best Spots in Texas to See Bluebonnets in 2016.

The Ten Best Spots in Texas to See Bluebonnets in 2016.

During Spring, fields of bluebonnets can be spotted throughout central, southeast and east Texas. Many of the state's major highways are lined with bluebonnets and other wildflowers during this time of year, making for some incredibly scenic drives. Over the years, the wild population has been supplemented with planted parcels of bluebonnets. So, if you're looking to see blooming bluebonnets in Texas, what's the best spot to look?

RAW vs. JPEG. Why your photos NEED to be shot in RAW.

RAW vs. JPEG. Why your photos NEED to be shot in RAW.

New photographers often question which shooting format better fits their needs. There are a ton of articles out there that delve deep into the technical aspects of the two, but I have found that photographers learn best by seeing actual examples of subjects they are interested in shooting. 

Yes, As a Matter of Fact, You ARE in My Shot

Yes, As a Matter of Fact, You ARE in My Shot

I'm a pretty easy going guy. I see people do really stupid things all the time, but I usually just let it go. One thing has been irritating me for years though and I'm finally about to go off on it: people walking into my frame while I'm shooting. This is an incredibly rude and inconsiderate thing to do. There's nothing quite as infuriating as somebody walking straight in front of my camera and it happens constantly.

Win a FREE signed, first edition of The Anatomy of Severe Weather

Win a FREE signed, first edition of The Anatomy of Severe Weather

2,000 copies are currently being unloaded from a cargo ship in Los Angeles. First shipments of the book will be rolling out beginning mid February. You can order from Weathersnapshot. It retails for $99.99 (plus tax and shipping, but you can win your very own FREE signed, first edition copy right here! Simply follow the two steps below and you're registered. The winner will be announced Monday, February 1st at 7pm CST. 

Tom Brady is Going to Steal Your Pictures.

Tom Brady is Going to Steal Your Pictures.

With social media being the primary outlet for photographers, it has become common practice for pages, accounts, and websites with large followings to post photographer's images without permission. If an image of yours goes viral it is basically guaranteed it's going to be used in some form without your permission.

Somewhere Beyond the Rainbow. Are You Oversaturating Your Work?

Somewhere Beyond the Rainbow. Are You Oversaturating Your Work?

I encourage people to experiment with their editing. Post processing software is essential in bringing life to digital images. One thing I see way too much of from people though is oversaturating the heck out of their pictures. 

Photography is art and colors are pretty. I get it. When first learning photography I had a brief period where my images were way over edited. It can be tempting to slide those vibrance and saturation levels up, but at what point is it too much?

Our Journey Through the NICU.

Our Journey Through the NICU.

Having a baby early is the most frightening experience I have been through . Nothing else has even come close.

August 22, 2015 felt like a normal day. Savannah, Chase, and I were at the grocery store that evening when Savannah felt a "pop", her water broke. I feared we had lost our daughter, she wasn't due for 10 more weeks.

The Ghost and the Darkness

The Ghost and the Darkness

I feel pretty stupid. I guess I got tunnel vision. I've always thought seeing twin tornadoes would be incredible. I never imagined it would happen in the month of December. I especially never imagined I wouldn't realize it until 14 days after seeing them, while writing this blog post. 

Dissecting Severe Weather

Dissecting Severe Weather

Storm chasers Zach Roberts, Savannah Williams, and Jason Weingart launched a Kickstarter at the beginning of January in an attempt to help fund their new book, which breaks down the dynamics that drive severe weather. With 3 days remaining in the 30 day campaign, the trio has managed to raise just under $40,000. 

Step by Step Guide to Stacking Lightning Images

Step by Step Guide to Stacking Lightning Images

We've all seen the pictures that look like the sky is short circuiting. Some people hate them, but I get a crazy response when I create these. It seems like every time I post one, I get several messages from people asking how to do this process. I've been promising to put this tutorial together forever, so here goes. 

The Ultimate Guide to Photographing Lightning

The Ultimate Guide to Photographing Lightning

Ever wonder how to get that perfect image of lightning exploding from the sky? Read this comprehensive guide to photographing lightning, and you will be ready to take shocking images of lightning in no time. 

I Want to Believe. Mysterious, Marfa, Texas.

I Want to Believe. Mysterious, Marfa, Texas.

In May 2014, Savannah and I decided to spend the weekend in Marfa, Texas. She had always wanted to visit the town, and I was curious about the Marfa Mystery Lights. Coincidentally, the only chance for decent storms that weekend happened to be in southwest Texas. We got up in the morning, packed the car, and hit the road for Marfa. 

How to Photograph Fireworks

How to Photograph Fireworks

Happy Independence Day! Taking photos of fireworks is a lot like shooting lightning. Both require a long exposure, change quickly, and are very bright. They both can also make EXTREMELY BORING images if not handled properly. There are millions of images of fireworks floating around online, what are you going to do to make yours different?

The Texas Photo Opp Massacre. Where Can You Legally Take Pictures?

The Texas Photo Opp Massacre. Where Can You Legally Take Pictures?

I've always been a big fan of horror movies, and one of my favorite series is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, so when I discovered the house from the 2003 Michael Bay film was just one county away, I had to go see it.  After a few minutes on Google, I found the exact location of the house and a few blog posts and videos from people that had already gone. The first thing that caught my attention was a sign that read, " PRIVATE PROPERTY & ROAD. KEEP OUT OR GO TO JAIL OR WORSE. REST IN PEACE"