Hey Reader,

How has your photography been shaping up this season? November turned my world upside down—but in the best way possible! My husband and I welcomed a little girl into our family. She arrived a few weeks early, so last month's photography plans had to pause as we focused on family.

But good news! I’ve caught up on enough sleep this past week to finish curating this year’s list of Best Gifts for Nature Photographers. And guess what? We're still doing the giveaway, though we've rebranded it since the American Thanksgiving has passed.

So, without further ado 🥁, let me introduce the Season of Giving Giveaway! Don’t miss the details below on how you can grab yourself an extra entry in the giveaway.

Cheers,
Chrissy

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It's that time of year again— I've rounded up my favorite photography discoveries of 2024. Many items celebrate the art of photography while supporting the talented artists and small businesses behind them. Explore the list and treat yourself—or find the perfect gift for the landscape photographers in your life!

As a to for being part of my community, I'm excited to host another annual giveaway featuring items from the Best Gifts for Nature Photographers list.

As a valued subscriber to the newsletter, here's an insider bonus: you get not one, but two entries for the giveaway! Click the button below to submit your entries and learn more about the contest.

As autumn fades and winter approaches, you might notice some trees stubbornly clinging to their brown leaves long after their neighbors have gone bare. This phenomenon, known as marcescence, offers unique opportunities for late-season landscape photography.

Marcescence occurs primarily in certain oak and beech species. These trees form an abscission layer at the base of their leaf stems in autumn, but it doesn't completely separate the leaf from the branch. The result? Leaves that hang on through winter, creating a rustic tapestry against snowy backdrops or misty mornings.

For photographers, marcescent trees add texture and interest to winter landscapes. They're particularly striking when backlit, creating a warm glow against cool, wintry scenes. Look for them in young forests or at the edges of woodlands.

Next time you're out photographing in late fall or winter, keep an eye out for these persistent leaves. They might just be the element that elevates your composition from good to great, adding a touch of autumn's warmth to the stark beauty of winter.

1.) In case you missed this opportunity in May, some of my favorite friends over at Learn Nature Photography are offering their Workflow Collection tutorial for sale one last time for Cyber Week. It's only available until December 8th.

2.) Paul Caponigro Tribute: One of America’s foremost landscape photographers, passed away this month, leaving behind a legacy of images to the art of photography. Read the New York Time's tribute to his life and impactful legacy: “Nature was really my teacher.”

3.) Don't miss Jennifer Renwick's second free ebook, Beneath a Dancing Sky, A Night Under the Aurora in Glacier National Park. And while you're at it, sign up for her newsletter.

4.) Join Beth Ruggiero York for a free webinar on Getting Started with Night Photography on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 PM Eastern.

5.) Out of Chicago is hosting a free webinar, Photographic Olympic's Coastlines and Forests, on Friday, December 6th at 1:00 PM Eastern.

6.) Join Joe Rossbach for his webinar, Capturing the Colors of Big Cypress Bayou – A Photographer's Journey on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 PM Eastern.

7.) In this conversation, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the philosophy of a “gift economy” in her latest book The Serviceberry.

8.) Do you bracket your photos? Read this insightful piece on why Josh Cripps started bracketing his exposures in 2024.

9.) Stamp Collection Spotlight: Congratulations to Denise Ippolito! The United States Postal Service will release her second stamp series, Dahlia Forever, in 2025. The issue date is to be announced. Her first set of stamps were the 2023 Tulip Blossom Forever stamps.

10.) On December 20th, at 8:00 PM Eastern, Michael Gordon and Guy Tal present Finding Meaning in Photography webinar to benefit the Animal Rescue Efforts of Color Country Animal Welfare.

11.) Is the Sony A1 II the Ultimate Flagship Camera? Watch Albert Dros' take in his latest YouTube video.

12.) Wild Eye Magazine Launch: Check out the debut issue of Wild Eye Magazine by publisher Jason Bradley and his team focused on nature, wildlife, and underwater photography. See the first issue for free.