2026 Season Opener — Lessons learned over a tough winter
This was an eventful winter. I got married in October, purchased my camera and started this blog over the holidays, endured a few terrible snowstorms (including a 3-day power outage), and then recovered on a sunny honeymoon in Kauai. It has been a humbling 7 months of cold, wet, New England existence. Quickly, things collapsed into a warm spring and we’re now heading into a lush and happy summer. Memorial Day weekend has arrived, along with beach weather and my first annual sunburn. Cheers to the 2026 season!
During this great weather, the camera and I have become one. I started my outdoor photography adventures over the holidays, which was optimistic of me. I don’t know what I was thinking. Here’s a list of all my rookie mistakes and the lessons learned from them.
Lessons learned so far
Photography is only as fun or long-lasting as how prepared you are for the weather. By season, always have everything you could possibly need in the car, because you never know when brilliant landscape is going to strike.
Winters: hat/earmuffs, gloves, scarf, warm socks, waterproof boots, and a thick, warm, long coat.
Summers: baseball cap, sunnies, sunblock, comfortable walking shoes.
Always have headphones, an emergency snack and water, and something to clean your lens with.
Light, wind, and tide. Understand the map/location and how the sunrise and sunset are going to hit your landscapes. Cape Cod is a curvy peninsula with beaches and scenery facing all 4 directions; some are best shot in the morning, others midday, others in the evening. Low tide and high tide each have their benefits, depending on the beach. And bring a hair tie for the windy days.
In the winter, you lose sunlight very quickly in the evening. In the summer, the sunrise is too-often a missed opportunity. Stay ready—when the sky is brilliant and colorful, act fast.
90% of photos should be taken on a standard lens. The zoom lens is exciting and fun, but don’t get carried away.
Charming streets and picturesque houses are less aesthetically pleasing on trash day.
Before you set off on your adventure, check your lens for dirt/splashes/smudges, make sure you have a memory card with plenty of space available, and keep the battery charged.
Travel light if possible and have a comfortable, wearable bag.
Operating a camera is a two-hand job 100% of the time. Pockets are your best friend. Fanny packs, backpacks, and cross-body bags are great, too.
Park close to the center/middle of a place. Walk in one direction, back to the car, and then in the other direction. Otherwise, move the car.
Changes are all around
One of these days I’ll be paying for parking at the beach, trying to do my photography excursions among throngs of people. The great thing about learning photography in a place like this is I can pull over anywhere, any time and spend even a few minutes snapping photos. It doesn’t have to be a 3 mile ordeal every time.
Another fun revelation is the joys of backyard photography. We have incredible birds here, and a groundhog living under our shed. His name is Murphy. There’s a skunk who occasionally trudges around our fence around 9 pm. And if I’m tossing and turning in the wee hours of night, I’ll hear an owl hooting in the tree above our bedroom. Home has become a magical fairytale to me, and I wake up every morning in disbelief that we found our own little slice of heaven. We are so so lucky and grateful.
Murphy, the groundhog
The biggest lesson learned
So far, my favorite part about photography is how it brings you into the smaller, finer details of life and enriches the day. It sharpens your attention and keeps you in the present. There are millions of tiny things happening all around you, if you can take the space to notice them.
When I’m out for 2 or 3 hours trying to capture a place: I’m off the phone, being creative, taking in my surroundings, getting my steps in, getting sunshine and fresh air, and discovering my surroundings. People are so encouraging when they see me stomping around with a big camera and clunky backpack. You can almost see the thought bubble over their heads, ‘That girl is out taking pictures on this beautiful day, how nice!’ I get a lot of friendly waves and cooperative models.
Let the season begin!
This hobby is doing great things for me, and I’m excited for a nice long summer on Cape Cod. I hope to cover lots of ground this year. If you have any hidden gems, secret favorite spots, or suggestions, pop them in my suggestion box. I’ll also be doing a big blog post on my honeymoon to Kauai, and another on my upcoming trip to Maine. Subscribe to my email list for the occasional update.