Hey friends,

If you're reading this, you're part of something new that I'm very excited about. I know it's been a while since you've heard from me - life, travel, and honestly some trial and error on my end - but I'm back with a new rhythm: every week, in your inbox, with the good stuff.

This is The Weekly Frame, where I'm sharing what's actually working in my photography journey, stories from the road, and the kind of insider insights I'd want if I were in your shoes.

Every week you'll get:

I've tried the "send emails whenever inspiration strikes" approach before (spoiler: it didn't work). So this time, I'm keeping it simple and consistent.

My goal is to give you the most helpful content that actually moves the needle for you as a creator, wherever you are on your journey.

I'm writing this from my couch in Utah, still processing everything that happened in Colorado this past month.

My friend Kelsey (@heykelseyj) and I spent our time chasing fall colors around Crested Butte and Telluride. It felt like everywhere we went was somehow better than the last - like someone came through and painted all the trees yellow overnight.

We hit peak foliage right on time, which came earlier than usual this year. The conditions were honestly pretty perfect: crisp mornings, clear skies, and light that seemed to glow from inside every aspen grove.

If you’ve never been to Colorado during fall, put at the top of the list. The mountains with the fall colors makes it such a unique spot vs some of the popular east coast locations.

My favorite towns you should check out: Telluride, Crested Butte, and Silverton. All three have iconic spots within an hour's drive, letting you maximize your time shooting the most stunning fall scenes.

Here's something many photographers get wrong: they leave their UV or protective filter on 24/7, then wonder why their sun flares look muddy and lack definition.

Filters are great for vibe effects or protection, but when you're intentionally shooting into the sun for quality sun flares, that extra piece of glass can actually be working against you.

Why this matters: Every additional glass element creates more surfaces for light to refract, scatter, and create unwanted artifacts. When shooting sun flares, you want clean, defined rays - not hazy, washed-out glow.

Here's my workflow:

While in Colorado, I used a PolarPro Everyday filter for the majority of my shots to get the vibe I really want. But when I spotted a moment with a pristine solar flare opportunity, I'd remember to take it off. Later, I could layer the photos or integrate them however looked best.

The difference is huge: cleaner rays, better contrast, more defined star patterns (especially at f/16-f/22), and no weird ghosting or color shifts.

The key is being intentional:

This isn't about filters being good or bad—it's about knowing when an extra element helps versus when it hurts your photo.

Pro tip: Clean your front element obsessively when shooting sun flares. A single smudge or dust particle creates way more artifacts when backlit.

Instagram just leveled the playing field for small creators. The platform rolled out four major algorithm changes this fall: boosting reach for smaller accounts, replacing reposts with original content in recommendations, adding labels to reposted content, and removing content aggregators (accounts that repost 10+ times in 30 days) from recommendations. Translation: Original content from creators like us now (theoretically) has a better shot at reaching new audiences, regardless of follower count.

Sony's gearing up for a big launch. The long-rumored Sony A7V is expected to drop in November/December with a new sensor, plus three new lenses including a 100-400mm f/4 GM II. If you're in the Sony ecosystem, this could be the hybrid camera update of the year.

I want to highlight something that really resonated with me recently: travel filmmaker Sam Newton (@samnewton) and his 7-day #MyVoice challenge.

Being a content creator is tough in so many ways - the pressure to constantly perform, the comparison game, the algorithm anxiety. But it's also incredibly powerful when we create authentically and use our platforms to encourage others to find their voice.

Sam's challenge encouraged creators to share their genuine perspectives for 7 consecutive days. No polished perfection or overthinking.. just honest, authentic creation.

This kind of initiative reminds me why I love this community. We're not just taking pretty pictures or chasing views - we're storytelling, we’re making, we're connecting, and when done right, we're inspiring others to do the same.

Check out Sam's work if you haven't already—his cinematic travel films and creative approach to content are top-tier.

I literally just (re)bought one because I lost it in Canada last month, so I HAVE to talk about the Peak Design Travel Tripod in Carbon Fiber.

This is the tripod I personally use for all my landscape work, and it's earned its spot in my pack for good reason. It packs down to the size of a water bottle -seriously, it fits in my backpack's side pocket - but once you set it up, it's rock solid. Even with my full-frame setup and a 70-200mm, it didn't budge during long exposures on windy ridgelines.

The setup is insanely fast. The legs snap open smoothly with quick locks, and the ball head is precise without being fiddly. When you're chasing golden hour light and every second counts, that speed matters.

The carbon fiber construction keeps it under 3 pounds, which is a game-changer when you're hiking to remote locations.

It is a bit pricier than aluminum tripods, but if you travel often or do a lot of backcountry shooting, the weight savings alone justify it.

I've hiked this thing through Europe, Central America, Pakistan, and now through Colorado's high country - it's never let me down (until I lost it of course).

(Full transparency: I earn a small commission if you grab one through this link. It helps keep this newsletter free and my coffee mug full. Thanks for supporting!)

Standing in an aspen grove at sunrise is one of those experiences that's hard to put into words. The way the light filters through. The sound of leaves in the breeze. The cold air on your face and the warmth of your camera in your hands.

It reminded me why I do this. Not for the post or the content, but for the moment itself.. being somewhere beautiful and just living fully in that moment.

What's next for me? I'm literally packing my bags right now for Socotra, Yemen - one of the most alien-looking islands on Earth. Think dragon blood trees (straight out of a Dr. Seuss book), turquoise water with huge untouched sandy beaches, and landscapes that look like they're from another planet. I'm so excited to capture this place and share it with you.

What about you? What's a place you're dying to visit one day? That bucket-list destination that keeps you scrolling Instagram at 2am, that place you've had pinned on Google Maps for years? Hit reply and tell me - I want to know what’s calling you and I’ll be responding to every email.

See you next Thursday,
Paige

P.S. This first edition is landing on a Sunday, but from now on, you can expect The Weekly Frame every Thursday morning.

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