Stop Walking Past Reflections…
The Weekly Frame #15: February 19th, 2026
Hi friends,
Saturday is my birthday (one year older and wiser too!), and I think the universe decided to give me the best possible gift: back-to-back trips that I've been dreaming about.
I head to DC on Sunday for one of my most exciting brand partnerships (I’ve been teasing it the last couple weeks). I can’t wait to tell you more about it, I’ll be posting stories on my Instagram as well.
Right after that, I'm flying to Taiwan with the Taiwan Tourism Administration to experience the lantern festival firsthand. Thousands of sky lanterns, night markets, temples, and some of the most photogenic culture… I’m so excited for this one!
Birthday cake can wait. The camera bag is packed.
This week I posted some fun reels (most recent post above), and a carousel of some of my most popular photos over the years. I’ll add them throughout this week’s newsletter as usual, so be sure to check them out!
Now, let me share a tip this week that I think will instantly change how you approach your next shoot...
Tip of the Week: Stop Walking Past Reflections
Here's something that took me way too long to start doing intentionally: looking for reflections.
I used to walk right past puddles, glass buildings, calm water, and polished surfaces without thinking twice. Now they're some of the first things I look for when I arrive somewhere new.
Reflections do something powerful to a composition - they create natural symmetry, add depth, and often turn an ordinary scene into something that makes people stop scrolling.
Where to find them:
Water (lakes, rivers, rain puddles, even a thin sheet of water on pavement after rain)
Glass and windows (buildings, storefronts, car windows)
Polished surfaces (marble floors, countertops, wet rocks)
Sunglasses and mirrors (great for creative portrait work)
A few things that make reflections work better…
Get low. The lower your camera angle, the more prominent the reflection becomes. I've laid flat on wet pavement more times than I'd like to admit.
Calm conditions matter for water. Even a slight breeze will break up a perfect reflection. Early morning is usually your best bet for still water.
Use a polarizing filter to control reflections. A CPL filter lets you dial reflections in or out. Fully rotated one way, you see straight through the water. Rotated the other way, the reflection is crisp and vivid. It gives you creative control over how much reflection appears in your frame.
Look for color contrast. A reflection of a warm sunset in cool blue water? That's the kind of contrast that makes an image feel alive.
Don't always center the horizon line. Play with placing it slightly above or below center depending on whether you want to emphasize the scene or the reflection.
Next time you're out shooting, especially after rain or near any body of water, pause and look down. Some of my favorite images started by noticing something I almost walked right past.
What's Happening in Photography Right Now
Instagram announced "Rings," a new award recognizing creators making an impact on the platform. Selected by a panel of judges, winners receive both a physical ring and a digital badge on their profile. It's Instagram's latest move to keep top creators engaged and loyal to the platform. No word yet on how creators are nominated or what the criteria are, but it signals that Instagram is taking creator recognition more seriously beyond just follower counts.
Tamron is reportedly about to announce a 35-100mm f/2.8 lens for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts. Expected around February 19th (basically right now), the lens would weigh roughly 560 grams and cost around $900. That's a really appealing mid-range zoom for travel photographers who want something lighter than the typical 70-200mm but still fast. If this ends up being as sharp and compact as rumored, it could be a serious option for anyone tired of lugging heavy glass on trips.
Creator Highlight: Elsa Garrison (Getty Images)
Getty Images photographer Elsa Garrison recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at her gear kit for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
What stood out to me wasn't the specific equipment (though it's impressive), but her approach to preparation: she scouts every venue months in advance, studies the sport's movements to anticipate peak action, and builds redundancy into her setup because there are no second chances at the Olympics.
The takeaway for the rest of us? The best photographers don't just show up and react. They research, plan, and prepare so that when the moment happens, they're already in position. Sound familiar? (If you've been reading for a while, you know how much I preach preparation.)
Gear Worth Mentioning: Peak Design Tech Pouch
This one isn't a camera or a lens, but it's such a convenient bag to have…
All those little accessories that used to float around my bag when I’m traveling (cables, adapters, memory cards, lens wipes, portable drives) now live in one organized pouch. Before I had this, I'd spend way too long digging through the bottom of my backpack trying to find an SD card reader or a charging cable while golden hour was happening right in front of me.
The inside has these stretchy, expandable pockets that fit whatever you throw in, and the whole thing stands upright when you unzip it so you can actually see everything at a glance. It's one of those purchases where you don't realize how much time you were wasting until you stop wasting it.
It fits perfectly inside my camera bag and keeps all the small stuff from becoming a tangled mess. If your gear organization system is currently "everything loose in the main compartment," this will change your life.
(Full transparency: I earn a small commission through this link. It helps keep this newsletter free and my coffee mug full. Thanks for supporting!)
One More Thing…
Birthdays always make me a little reflective (no pun intended with this week's tip). Looking at where I was a year ago versus now - the places I've been, the images I've captured, the fact that I get to do this as my actual life - it's a lot to take in.
Thank you for being here and opening these emails every week. It means more than you probably realize.
The next couple weeks are going to be packed with content from DC and Taiwan, so stick around. It's going to be good.
This week's question: What's the most unexpected place you've found a great reflection for a photo? Puddle? Building? Someone's sunglasses? I love the weird ones.
Hit reply and tell me, I’m looking for a fun one in my travels and always looking for some new inspiration.
See you next week,
Paige
P.S. Curious how I edit my photos? These are the exact presets I use for almost every travel & landscape shoot (designed for both mobile and desktop).