There’s something about waking up at 4:00 a.m.  that makes you question how committed you really are to your craft. Spoiler: I am very  committed — or possibly unhinged. But when you’re chasing that perfect Adirondack sunrise, you do what you have to do. So, with a thermos full of ambition (and coffee that could strip paint), I drove two hours north into the fog-drenched wonderland that is Old Forge, New York , the beating heart of the western Adirondack Mountains , where mir

When the Galaxy Photo-bombs a Tree Ireland has castles, cliffs, Guinness, and apparently, trees that look like they’re auditioning for a Tim Burton film. Add a sky full of stars, a galaxy flexing its muscles, and a long exposure, and suddenly you’re that person who won’t shut up about aperture sizes at the pub. The Setup: You, a Tripod, and Judgy Sheep First things first: shooting star trails or galaxies in Ireland means finding a spot dark enough that your camera doesn’t thi

Sunset on Canandaigua Lake There are sunsets you stumble into, and then there are sunsets you chase. This one, over Canandaigua Lake, was worth the chase. The sky lit up in a fiery wash of pinks and reds, painting the water and the lake houses in a glow that felt more dream than reality. The Technical Side of Shooting a Sunset Sunsets are both the easiest and trickiest subjects for a photographer. They’re easy because the sky does the heavy lifting—you just have to be there.

Silent Keys, Forgotten Stories (Abandoned Photography at the Allegany County Poor House, Angelica, NY) Abandoned places have a way of pulling you in—not with noise, but with silence that hums louder than words. The Allegany County Poor House in Angelica, NY is one of those places. Its walls sag with the weight of stories, its air thick with dust that feels like memory itself. And then there’s the piano. A Sterling Concert Grand, left behind as though its last player simply wa

Aurora at the Bluffs: Why I’m the Crazy Artist Who Went Out at 2 AM for This You know those photos you see on Instagram where people are under magical northern lights, sipping coffee, looking perfectly composed? Yeah, this isn’t that. This is me, stumbling around at 2 AM  like a raccoon with a camera, muttering to myself, “It’ll be worth it, it’ll be worth it,”  while my tripod tries to blow away into Lake Ontario. But spoiler alert: it was worth it . Because what you’re look

"Electric Stallion" - to date one of my best selling photographs When Nature Throws a Dare There are moments as a photographer when Mother Nature throws you a dare. On this particular evening, she handed me lightning, a storm front, and a very opinionated Arabian stallion named Major —and then told me to figure it out before I got fried. Major, true to his dramatic nature, decided he was not going into the barn. Nope. Storm or no storm, he was determined to put on a runway sh

They don’t call it the "Grand Canyon of the East"  for nothing. With massive waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, scenic overlooks, and more foliage than a Bob Ross painting, Letchworth State Park  is a dream for landscape photographers—especially those with decent leg strength and a high tolerance for mist on their lenses. I’ve shot Letchworth in all seasons, all weather, and yes, once while being chased by a very ambitious chipmunk. If you're ready to tackle one of New York’s most

If you've never been to Watkins Glen State Park  (aka nature’s flex), let me paint you a picture: imagine Mother Nature showing off. Now add 19 waterfalls, moss-covered stone trails, dizzying drops, and the kind of light that makes photographers cry tears of joy (and also frustration, because exposure is hard, okay?). I’ve photographed Watkins Glen more times than I can count, and it still  makes me giddy every time I step onto the Gorge Trail. Whether you’re a seasoned photo

Becoming a street art festival artist seems romantic in theory. You imagine sipping iced coffee in a breezy white tent, casually chatting with patrons who hand you stacks of money while exclaiming, “You’re a genius!” Let me stop you right there. Being an art festival artist is like camping, vending, public speaking, mild gambling, and amateur meteorology—all rolled into one stress-induced weekend where you pray your canopy doesn’t become a parasail. But hey, I did it for 20+

After 20+ years of weddings, wandering, weirdos, and white tents, I’ve reached a point in my career where I’ve earned the right to overshare. So if you're here for polished portfolio talk, keep scrolling. If you're here for what it's actually  like being a wedding photographer-turned-festival artist who’s sold in art shows in eight states—welcome to the inner circle. Grab a granola bar. Let’s get uncomfortable. 👰 Yes, I’ve Shot a Wedding in a Dress and Hiking Boots Because w

People often ask if I consider myself a photographer or  a graphic artist—as if I have to pick one. The truth is, I stopped seeing a line between the two a long time ago. Photography is how I see. Digital art is how I respond . Graphic design is how I shape the story . And honestly, they’re all just tools I use to make sense of the world—one image, one layer, one digital brushstroke at a time. 🎞️ Photography: The Foundation of Everything Let’s start at the lens. Every photo

After two decades of hauling gear, chasing light, and accidentally falling into a pond or two, I’ve collected more than just a terabyte of files—I’ve picked up a few solid lessons (and a mild caffeine addiction). Whether you're just starting or have your own trail of dusty lenses and memory card graveyards, here’s what 20+ years in the field have taught me—funny, technical, and occasionally painful. 🔋 1. Always Bring More Batteries Than You Think You’ll Need Yes, even if the

Let’s be real: most photography “tips” online are either so technical they require a translator, or so vague they might as well say, “Just follow your heart and adjust your shutter speed based on the emotional temperature of the moment.”  🙄 What you actually need are tips that work in the wild—where you're sweating through your shirt at a midday wedding, trying not to trip over a toddler or your own insecurities. So here it is. No fluff. No gear shaming. No “bokehlicious.” J

Let’s get one thing out of the way: I have zero formal photographic education. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Never sat in a classroom with a professor who wore a turtleneck and talked about "leading lines" while projecting a photo of a chair in dramatic lighting. I didn’t learn to shoot by reading manuals or taking notes—I learned by breaking every rule the photo world holds sacred… and honestly? I’d do it all again. 📸 Age 4: First Contact I picked up a camera for the first time when I

Let’s get one thing clear: I’m not here to start a brand war. If you’re a die-hard Canon lover, Sony shooter, or Fujifilm hipster, you do you. But as for me? I bleed Nikon. So... Why Nikon? The simple answer? Because it feels like home. The technical answer? Because Nikon gear just works —the way my brain works. It's intuitive, reliable, and built like a tank. Their ergonomics are unmatched, their colors feel more true-to-life, and their dynamic range has saved my butt more t

So, Who’s Miley Jade? Let’s start with the almost obvious: Miley Jade  is not a real person. She’s my artsy alter ego. You know, the kind of name that looks good on a gallery wall or sounds cool when someone says, “Oh wow, I love your work!” and I can respond without cringing at my own birth certificate. I’m Emily J.—a professional photographer, digital artist, chaos manager (aka mom of four boys), and full-time explorer of things most people consider junk. 20+ Years, One Cam