Hey Reader,

How is the fall color your way? This past week, I took some time to photograph the approaching peak colors in the mountains of Pennsylvania—where I grew up. I make it a point to return each fall because being surrounded by those autumn hues brings back so many nostalgic memories. It’s the perfect way for me to recenter before all the end-of-year festivities begin.

Now that I’m back in the office, I’m excited to dive into finishing some new articles and videos to share with you over the next few months. I’m also going through all the fantastic feedback you’ve shared for this year’s Best Gifts List for Nature Photographers.

In the meantime, I wanted to remind you that a few great deals are coming to a close in the next couple of days!

Cheers,
Chrissy

A big thank you to everyone who’s already sent in their ideas for this year’s Best Gifts for Nature Photographers! If you haven't yet, this is your last chance. Is there a favorite piece of gear, an inspiring photography book, a handy travel item, or any photography-related gem you can’t live without? Your insights will help shape an incredible gift guide and giveaway coming next month!

⏰ Grab Your Discounted Ticket! ⏰
​Out of Chicago Botanic Garden Conference
August 24th-28th, 2025!

I'm beyond excited to be teaching alongside photography legends like John Barclay, Anne Belmont, Sue Bishop, Rad Drew, Donna Eaton, Stephanie Johnson, Richard Martin, Krista McCuish, Charles Needle, Alan Shapiro, Nick Sinnott, Tony Sweet, and Beth Young as we explore 285 acres of botanical bliss with 27 individual gardens!

Having taught and helped at previous Out of Chicago garden events, I can tell you - these aren't just conferences; they're creativity explosions! We all leave energized, full of new ideas and techniques to explore.

What’s truly special is the garden environment. It gives us the space to slow down, experiment, and grow as photographers—side by side with fellow attendees and world-class instructors. This is where the magic happens, where you’ll create some of your best work!

Join us for five days of pure botanical bliss, creative inspiration, and photographic adventure. Your camera—and your creative soul—will thank you!

Save $250 with code DONADI250CBG
by October 15th, 2024, midnight CT.

P.S. Want a sneak peak? See some of the Garden Botanic instructors
in action during the Pushing Creative Boundaries Webinar replay.

✅ Wow, the response to the ​2024 Photography Bundle​ has been incredible! Thanks to your support, we’ve already raised over $40,000 for charity! ​ ✅ In case you missed it, this bundle features 30 photographers who’ve come together to offer their tools, training, and inspiration at an unbeatable price—all while supporting some fantastic causes. ​ ✅ But time’s almost up! With only two days left, this is your final chance to grab a wide range of photography resources at a huge discount. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into new genres, discover fresh editing techniques, and fuel your creative spark.

Sale Ends October 11th at noon PDT/3 PM EDT

October marks a pivotal moment in the annual cycle of bird migration. As daylight hours decrease and temperatures drop, millions of birds embark on their southward journey. This mass movement is one of nature's most impressive phenomena, with some species traveling thousands of miles.

During this time, you might notice changes in your local bird populations. Summer residents begin to leave, while winter visitors make their arrival. Birds like the Dark-eyed Junco suddenly reappear in backyards after a summer-long absence, while species like the Yellow-rumped Warbler can be spotted refueling during their long-distance flights.

What’s fascinating is the variety of migration strategies. The Broad-winged Hawk, for instance, travels in large, dramatic flocks known as “kettles,” swirling through the sky in mesmerizing formations. Meanwhile, many songbirds take a different route—literally—flying under the cover of night, guided by the stars.

October’s migration is a unique opportunity to witness the diversity of birdlife in motion. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just a casual observer, taking a moment to tune in to these seasonal changes can deepen your connection to the natural world and the remarkable journeys of our feathered friends.

Need an excuse to get outside this weekend? Join the October Big Day on Saturday, October 12th. This global citizen science event invites birders around the world to share their observations, helping scientists track migration patterns and bird distributions. Whether you spend 20 minutes or a full day birding, your observations do some good and contribute to our growing understanding of bird migration.

1.) Ann Morgan discusses her thoughts on "To Title or Not to Title?" in her latest Musings Article.

2.) Catch the replay of the "Pushing Creative Boundaries" Webinar on the Out of Chicago blog.

3.) Sean Bagshaw recently released two new video courses: Luminosity Masks: Basics and Luminosity Masks: Advanced.

4.) Richard Bernabe interviewed the legendary documentary photographer Sam Abell on his Beyond The Lens Podcast.

5.) Nigel Danson will be hosting a "Free Woodland Editing Webinar" on October 12th, 2024 at 2:30 PM EDT on his YouTube channel. There's no registration - just hit the bell to be notified when it starts.

6.) Catch Mark Denney "Talking All Things Composition" on the Learn Landscape Photography Podcast by Austin James Jackson.

7.) Rad Drew is the featured Artist Spotlight in his free webinar "How I Did It: Getting the Best and Most from your iPhone Camera" which will be held on October 17, 2024.

8.) PetaPixel shared their picks for the "Best Prime Day Deals for Photographers".

Pro Tip: The Amazon Prime Day sales are a perfect time to purchase
memory cards and portable hard drives if they are due to be replaced.