We visited Cataloochee Valley to photograph the elk rut for the 2025 mating season. Locations we visited included Cherokee, NC and Maggie Valley in the Blue Ridge Valley. Every year, the elk rut in the late summer / early fall.

As I begin to cap of my second decade as a professional photographer, I reflect on some wisdom I have gathered over nearly 20 years in my profession. From shooting newspaper journalism to photographing weddings and real estate, I have gathered a ton of experience and am ready to share it with you.

Over the course of 20 years, I have refined my craft and worked through changes in the market, burnout, and massive life changes like getting married and starting a family. Through it all, I continued pursuing my passion of photography. Here I explore why I still shoot photos to this day.

In a world where we spend a lot of money on first impressions, buying expensive cars, clothes, and hair care routines - headshots are often overlooked. Yet, the first impression many of your clients see online these days are your headshot.