Hey friends,

I've spent this week going through all my content from Socotra, and I'm continuously blown away at how much incredible stuff there is… in the best way possible!

I'm so excited about what I was able to capture - from those surreal dragon blood trees to beaches that don't look real. It really felt like I was on another planet.

I'm going to share some of my favorite shots throughout this email, with links to the full posts if you want to see more (thank you for liking and commenting, it’s always more helpful than you know 🙂 )

Stick around til the end, because I’m so excited to share where I’m headed next… I’ve been wanting to go for YEARS.

Everyone says "golden hour or bust”, but when you're traveling you can't always wait for perfect light. Sometimes you're standing in front of something incredible at noon, and you need to make it work.

Here's what I learned shooting in Socotra's brutal midday sun…

Stop fighting it. Start using it.

Harsh light isn't always bad light - it's just different light. Here's what midday sun actually does really well:

Creates dramatic contrast - When you have harsh shadows try to use them as part of your composition. You can also get creative about your angles. During bright hours of the day, I shot directly under the dragon blood trees looking upward. Because of how bright it was, the light bounces off the ground and illuminates the bottom of the tress making them look really beautiful.

Makes colors POP - That turquoise Socotra water looked absolutely insane in direct sunlight. In fact, it looks leaps and bounds better during the day than it does during sunrise and sunset. Saturated colors can really thrive in midday light.

Perfect for details - Close-up shots of textures, patterns, and small subjects look incredible with that crisp, direct light.

My technical approach:

Next time you're stuck shooting at noon, try these techniques instead of waiting around.

Canon R6 Mark III officially launched (Nov 6). Canon's new hybrid workhorse packs a 32.5MP sensor, 40fps burst with pre-capture mode (captures 0.5 seconds BEFORE you press the shutter), and 7K RAW video. Body-only at $2,799. They also dropped the surprisingly affordable RF 45mm f/1.2 STM at just $470 - Canon's first budget f/1.2 prime.

Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 winners announced. Norwegian photographer Åsmund Keilen won top honors with an ethereal shot of a bird against the sun. The winning gallery showcases incredible technical skill and creativity - worth scrolling for inspiration on what's pushing boundaries in nature photography right now.

Adobe MAX 2025 announced AI features across Creative Cloud. Adobe's annual conference showcased AI integration in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere. The "Distraction Removal" tool in Photoshop is particularly impressive - one-click removal of power lines, tourists, and clutter. Available now in latest updates.

I need to talk about Billy Dinh (@billydeee).

His street photography captures human moments in a way that feels completely raw and authentic - and honestly, I don't know how he does it. Every image looks like a still from a film you desperately want to watch.

Based in NYC, Billy turns everyday life into cinematic moments. His work has this moody-yet-vibrant quality that makes you stop scrolling and actually feel something. He won 1st place in the 2023 People Photography Award, and if you scroll his feed, you'll understand why.

What I love most: He makes street photography feel intimate rather than intrusive. Like he's documenting life, not just taking pictures of strangers.

Alright, this isn't gear - but it's a tool I use constantly and it's been incredibly helpful, especially when working with brands or creating content that needs to feel polished.

Musicbed is where I get all my music for video projects.

If you're creating any video content (Reels, YouTube, brand partnerships, travel films), you need music that doesn't sound like generic stock audio. Musicbed has real songs from real artists - the kind of tracks that actually elevate your work instead of just filling silence.

Why it matters:

Here's the thing: Good music is the difference between someone scrolling past your video and actually watching it. When I'm editing videos for brands or even just personal travel content, using professional music makes everything look and feel more intentional. It's the audio equivalent of shooting RAW versus JPEG.

If you use the link below, you’ll get a 14-day free trial - no credit card required. Just browse the library and hear the difference.

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

So... remember when I said I'm headed somewhere I've been wanting to visit for years?

I'm going to Japan. We leave this Saturday.

Two weeks exploring Fujikawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji views if there are good conditions, cross your fingers for me), Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo. Ryokans, onsens, fall colors at their peak, and some of the most photogenic locations on Earth.

I've been dreaming about shooting Japan since I first picked up a camera, and it's finally happening.

Here's where I need your help: We're planning pretty last-minute, so if you've been - hit reply with your best recommendations.

Hidden photo spots? Best food? Travel tips? That one thing you wish you'd known before going? I’m reading every email and would genuinely love your insider knowledge.

See you next Thursday,
Paige

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P.S. Interested in Lightroom Presets? Check out my Preset Packs below, made specifically for travel, landscape, & nature.