River trips are full of special moments. Exciting rapids, stunning landscapes, cherished time spent with loved ones. Scenes can be magical, but what you see in front of you doesn’t always translate to a photo. Have you ever gotten home from a trip and been disappointed in your images? You aren’t alone.

It can be easy to blame bad images on gear, but there's more to it than that. A little bit of knowledge can go a long way. Learning what to look for can help you get good photos in any condition.

As I arrived at the put-in, the sun streamed down into the valley. I stepped out of the car and the gravel crunched beneath my feet. A slight breeze carried the scent of the river by my nose. Everything was perfect. It was… unexpected.

As the pandemic raged on, I found myself stuck at home and in need of adventure. After years of thinking about ordering a raft, I decided it was time. Months later it arrived and I was ready to get on the water.