There’s a lot of excellent content and support out there to help you DO photography; it’s a bit harder to find support on how to BE a photographer. It’s an exploration that benefits from time, patience, and community. And it’s the key to making art that reflects your distinct vision. 

Your creative development is the focus of The NPC Creativity Mastermind Group. Every month, you and your colleagues will engage with one another to share your work and discuss the development of your vision and voice as a photographer. 

I’m excited to be a speaker at the inaugural Horizons Fall Photography Conference, October 2-5, 2025 in Durango, Colorado

Ready to elevate your photography?Embark on a multi-day adventure with fellow nature photographers, learn from world-class instructors, capture jaw-dropping landscapes, and unleash your creative potential. Don’t just take photos-live the experience!

Use code BETH100 at checkout for $100 discount on your registration.

Nature Photography Collective is planning to host a photography/creativity retreat in the Midwest in 2026, co-led by Iowa-based Stephanie Johnson and Michigan-based Beth Buelow. The focus will be on making personally meaningful images in off-the-beaten-path locations; challenging ourselves to see with an abstract, non-literal approach; and clarifying our creative vision. We'd like your feedback on possible locations and what you'd like to experience from the retreat. [Time of year for retreat depends on best time to be at a particular location; for most, that means late spring/early summer or fall.] Thanks in advance for your input!

I’m delighted to be presenting to several camera clubs and photography groups in 2025:

• Nature Photography Collective

• Nature Photographers Network

• Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour

• Twin City (MI) Camera Club

• Seacoast Camera Club

• The Woodlands (TX) Camera Club

• Grand Rapids (MI) Camera Club

• Club Camera Tucson

Is your group or club looking for an engaging, out-of-the-box presentation? I’d love to hear from you!

Presented for the Nature Photography Collective North American Speaker Series

There's a drive nature photographers share to seek out and capture the iconic landmarks and vistas. After all, those scenes are likely part of what drew us to landscape photography in the first place. But as popular locations become more crowded and vulnerable, we're challenged to temper that drive and seek out new horizons. Instead of relying on photographing iconic locations, what if we focused on creating more personally iconic images? We'll turn a few definitions on their head and look at how to release "epic location FOMO" in service to creating a body of work that reflects your distinct vision.