Reframing my photography identity
Explore Landscapes #109: I was, and still think of myself as, a landscape photography workshop instructor. But I’m not. Because I stopped doing that 3 months ago.
The ‘landscape’ I’ve seen the most of so far in 2026 | © 2026 Jon Norris
It’s been a couple of months since I last posted on Substack, and I’m trying to get myself back into writing mode.
This writing hiatus was triggered by, 1) having way too much day-job work competing for time on my schedule, but probably more attributed to 2), losing my photography mojo.
I’d like to talk a bit about the latter. I have been leading landscape photography workshops in Joshua Tree National Park since January 2021. This was my passion project, my side-gig, and something that I hoped would grow and develop into something that I could transition to from my corporate day job. I would then have this ‘bridge’ into a delayed retirement while I continued to run workshops. Sadly, due to the changes that the NPS have made to the rules (restrictions) placed on running workshops in Joshua Tree National Park, I made the difficult decision to cancel all of my workshops scheduled in 2026 and have not renewed my NPS workshop CUA permit. I wrote about these restrictions recently in a post.
What I wasn’t expecting was how hard stopping the workshops would hit me. After 5 years of workshops (that I truly enjoyed) I ‘identified’ as a landscape photography workshop instructor. It was who I was. It was what I did.
For the last few years I had been spending 3 weekends a month in Joshua Tree leading workshops and/or volunteering for the Desert Institute. My life revolved around spending a lot of time in JT, teaching landscape photography, and hiking and backpacking.
Some of my wonderful landscape photography workshop participants | © 2021-2025 Jon Norris
Identity, and by that I mean what I see myself as, i.e. what I do for a living, is something that’s deeply rooted. I was, and still think of myself as, a landscape photography workshop instructor. But I’m not. Because I stopped doing that 3 months ago.
Switching off that identity so suddenly, like a lightbulb switch, was abrupt. There was no easing myself into it. It was a matter of just a few weeks from marketing/booking workshops to stopping. As a consequence, my photography motivation fell of a cliff. So far in 2026, time spent on photography has been zero. Nothing. Nada.
I’ve realized that I need to reframe my photography identity. Reinvent myself. Reignite my photography mojo and start photographing for myself again.
It’s not the first time that I’ve reinvented myself. I spent 25 years working as an aeronautical engineer and program manager before pivoting to become the publisher of an aviation industry magazine. After that I pivoted again to get into aviation B2B marketing (a field that I still work in today).
I’m volunteering next weekend in JT for a weekend geology class (I’ll be writing about that I’m sure), and am hoping that will get me motivated again. I’m going to be taking my cameras with me (of course).
I’m looking forward to a healthy dose of desert silence, space, and solitude.
I have some ideas for a personal photography project (especially using the Mamiya RZ67 for B&W), and will carve out some time to shoot some film.
Another positive is that I’m delighted to be leading the Capturing the Desert: Landscape Photography Weekend Workshop on behalf of the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park Association in April. You’ll find details about the workshop below.
Thanks for being part of my photography community. I appreciate you!
Capturing the Desert: Landscape Photography Weekend Workshop - Friday, April 24th to Sunday, April 26th, 2026
I’m delighted to be leading this landscape photography weekend workshop on behalf of the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park Association.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this workshop’s friendly atmosphere encourages creativity and collaboration. Discover the beauty of photography in a supportive setting, and leave with fresh techniques and new friends.
The workshop will cover shooting in manual mode, the exposure triangle, using the histogram to ensure optimum exposure, exposure bracketing, focus bracketing, panoramas, shooting in RAW, white balance and color temperature, understanding focus and depth of field, and composition techniques.
This field workshop takes place at the private NPS Lost Horse Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.
The workshop is ideal for photographers looking to hone their landscape photography skills.
Entry to Joshua Tree National Park is not included in the cost of enrollment. Visit recreation.gov or a visitor center to purchase your pass ahead of time.
No meals or equipment are provided. Participants are responsible for bringing appropriate photography and camping equipment.
Participants and DI Volunteers from the 2023 weekend workshop | © 2023 Jon Norris
For full details (including lists of recommended photography, hiking, and camping equipment for the weekend), please click this link, and book your spot.
