With a dedication to the natural world, contemplative practice in nature, and conservation photography, I’ve begun to unite my passions through my work with “Mindfulness & Photography” where I guide my students in how to deepen their relationship with nature through meditation and photographic expression. I bring over 25 years of experience in the fields of informal learning, conservation messaging, program management, and mindfulness practice to my guidance for those who are dedicated to deepening their connection to themselves and the natural world.

While serving as a manager in the education division at the California Academy of Science in San Francisco, I created several successful programs focused on exploring people’s passion for the natural world. My conservation photography program was very popular and led to the launch of several successful public programs. In 2012, I founded an international nature photography competition called BigPicture, which is recognized as one of the most prestigious competitions of any genre anywhere in the world. That project also seeded a popular online magazine featuring the work of these photographers and their subjects, while raising awareness of the research conducted by the Academy’s robust research division.

In March 2012, I piloted one of the very first ever uses of iNaturalist, a top-rated photography-based community science app that provides research-quality data to scientists and governments around the world, for a community-based public program enabling anyone with a camera to participate directly in science for biodiversity research. That pilot workshop led to the creation of a robust community science program at the Academy based on data collection through photography and to the eventual purchase of iNaturalist by the Academy in 2014.

In addition to leading programs through Mindfulness and Photography, I direct programs for Awake in the Wild, where I am also part of a teaching sangha (community) dedicated to teaching people about nature-based mindfulness practices. I also serve as the operations manager for Mindful of Nature, a non-profit dedicated to offering programs where people access a natural sense of well-being, healing, joy and peace through meditation in nature.

I’ve worked as a professional photographer and taught photography since 2004. You can join me out on the trails to learn more about how you can combine your passion for mindfulness and photography to give voice to the natural world. I spend most of my time venturing the natural world near my home in northern New Mexico.