to be seen

Desert Landscapes

The beauty of the desert is not often seen. In conversations, I get the question, "What do you possibly see in that barren landscape?" There is so much more to the desert than meets the casual eye; I see intricate layers, rich textures, and a constant, silent invitation to wander and explore its depths. Across the vast expanse, clouds drift and shift, storms move in, and light falls on the surfaces, bringing out the textures with deep contrast of shadows at play, crafting an image to be seen. The howling wind moves across the dunes, etching mesmerizing streaks of beauty throughout the terrain, leaving a reminder of nature's sovereign artistry. I invite you to immerse yourself in these images, to discover the profound beauty I witness, and to experience the enduring energy an original piece of nature's artistry can bring to your space.

Sand dunes transition from falling to organized pattern of sand.
Black and white close-up of rippled sand dune texture with bright sun flare over the ridge.
Black and white fine art photo of a wind-sculpted sand dune with dramatic ridges.
Black-and-white desert sand dunes, with a dramatic dust stream backlit, creating a striking contrast of light and shadow.
San dunes in Death Valley, backlit dust in the distance, creating a unique layered feel.
Black-and0white desert landscape with a large sand dune, sparse shrubs, and mountain range in the background.
Black-and-white desert landscape with sweeping sand dunes, sparse shrubs, and misty mountains in the background.
Wide black and white panoramic landscape of desert sand dunes and mountain range under dramatic clouds.
Black and white panoramic view of massive sand dunes and rugged mountains under cloudy skies.
Lone figure stands atop golden sand dunes at sunset with misty mountain range in background.
Golden sand dunes with rippled texture against a mountain range at sunset in Death Valley.
Sand dunes glow at dusk with layered mountain silhouettes under purple stormy sky.
Purple dusk sky over illuminated sand dunes and silhouetted mountains in Death Valley desert.
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Black and white photo of tall saguaro cacti standing in a sandy desert landscape.

PRICKLY GIANTS

The Mexican giant cardon or elephant cactus lines the roads. These beautiful giants stand 10-15 ft tall towering over the other cacti in the fields. While adventuring through Baja Sur, I photographed the giants in black and white. Ansel Adams had inspired me to photograph these beauties.

Swirling red sandstone formations inside a narrow slot canyon with warm glowing light.

sandstone SWIRLS

The sandstone walls offer stories of storms and flash flooding by leaving their mark behind. The eddy of mud left behind is a mark of environmental history. I wanted to show the beauty and unique features of the sandstone walls. This image makes for a beautiful statement piece to hang on your walls.

Two cows stand beneath a massive cardon cactus in a desert landscape under cloudy skies.

CACTUS AND COWS

On a trip to Baja, I was able to drive the NORRA off-road course with my Husband. We started in Cabo and worked our way back home to Nevada. Driving through the forest, I noticed the Cows snacking on the buds of the cactus flowers. I reached out through the window and snapped the photo. I fell in love with the cute cows and knew I needed to print this photo.

whispering oaks

Hiking with friends is an excellent way to spend the day outside. On this day, my wonderful friends invited me to join them on one of their favorite hikes in Utah. We meandered up the canyon, stopping often to explore the cliffs' stories. To enjoy the scrub oaks that sit on the canyon's shelves. The oaks grow and spread out similarly to a banyan tree. This tree called to me, the sage green grey color contrasted against the red cliff. I snapped the shot without a plan to print. But when I got home to edit the photo, I could not resist. I knew that it would be a beautiful print. The dark vignettes highlight the beauty of the tree against its background. This wise tree whispers the history of the canyons, legends are told, and stories are passed down from generation to generation, while the canyons listen with intent.

Twisted desert shrub tree grows against towering red sandstone rock cliff face.
Dramatic panoramic view of snow-covered mountain range beneath billowing storm clouds.

White mountains

Their name says it all, the White Mountains are a beautiful range in Nevada that wraps the desert floor in a winter wonderland. On this day in February, the clouds came in and blew the fresh layer of snow across the peaks. In the distance, a lone homestead sits. What a view!!!

fading moon


As the sun rises in the east, kissing the tops of the mountains, the moon gracefully fades away. Bishop, CA, provides some of the most beautiful mountain views in America.

Black and white moonrise over snow-capped mountain range under dark dramatic night sky.

rising moon

When I think about Death Valley, I often think about its raw power, how truly brutal it can be. The mountains, in particular, bear the indelible marks of that force, their rugged faces scarred with eons of hardship. But it's in those very scars that I find an astonishing, breathtaking beauty. It's a beauty that whispers of resilience, of untold stories etched into the very rock.

This particular image was captured during a deep hike into the dunes, just as dusk was settling. I remember turning eastward, my gaze drawn to the towering peaks. As the last vestiges of daylight faded, the moon began its slow, majestic ascent over the mountains. Its gentle glow became my guide, painting the landscape in shades of silver and shadow, illuminating my path back through the soft, shifting sands. In that moment, the seemingly harsh environment transformed into a sanctuary of quiet awe, and I felt a profound connection to the enduring spirit of this magnificent place.

Full moon rising over dramatic desert mountain range above sand dunes in black and white.
Vivid rainbow emerges from dark storm clouds over arid desert valley landscape.

desert storms

The rain comes in with full force, dropping a rainbow like a rapper drops a beat.

Modern minimalist living room with white sofas, wood coffee table, and landscape artwork.

lake manly

The lowest point in North America, ~282 ft below sea level filled with water in 2023 after 10,000 years of being a dry lake bed. Late in 2023, I hiked out onto the lake in rubber boots and captured the serene landscape of the mountains on the valley's north end. The water was almost perfectly still, yet still mirror-like, with a slight ripple from the winds picking up speed from the approaching storm. The sun hiding behind the clouds and quickly dropping for the evening, allowing me to capture the contrast of the mountain peaks and valleys. Mounted back to back on the wall, this image makes you feel as if you were there, standing in the water of Lake Manly in your rubber boots.


Serene mountain reflection on still lake water under soft pastel cloudy sky at dusk.
Rocky desert mountain range under clear blue sky with sparse desert vegetation foreground.
Black and white aerial view of rugged desert canyon landscape under dramatic cloudy sky.
Silhouettes of birds flock over a reflective wetland at dramatic sunset with dark storm clouds.
Person standing on rocky desert cliff overlooking vast arid badlands landscape at sunset.
Black and white photo of off-road vehicle speeding across dusty desert with mountain backdrop.
Black and white desert landscape with dramatic clouds over rugged mountains and sparse shrubs.
Black and white desert landscape with dramatic sun rays breaking through storm clouds over mountain range.
Dramatic arid mountain landscape featuring layered rock formations beneath large white cumulus clouds.
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