This year saw the extensive renovation of our back garden with addition of elegant stone walls, a water feature, and many specimen plants. I made two extended photography trips to Japan (one in the spring, and one in the autumn). Photographically, I grew into my new tools-of-choice: a Leica M11P and a Leica M11 Monochrom, with a wide variety of subject matter including Japan, flowers, and even some models.

I’ve been making my “personal choice” best-of selections for many years, going back to 2013. These annual selections can be found here. My choices are idiosyncratic, based on no discernible criteria whatsoever, and simply are my personal taste. These selections are by no means complete. A more thorough catalog of my work can be found on Flickr, Instagram, and on my blog (but many of my images never get blogged even if I like them and they are widely reproduced).

Please enjoy my photographic journey for 2025 as we come to the changing of the years.

Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy, and creative 2026!

Serpentine Sunflower Tree

Yesterday I decided that my Serpentine Sunflower (Helianthus bolanderi) was getting a bit “long in the tooth” (insert favorite joke about serpents and teeth here). Indoors, I deconstructed the sunflower bush, then reconstructed it on my light box in the shape of a tree. Read more.

Maple Leaves and Moss

Succulent

Yearning (Vase with Tulips)

As the tulips settled into my arrangement in the vase they reached out, curved, and seemed to combine the wisdom of aging with continued vitality. Read more.

Hellebores

Hellebores are small shade plants in the Ranunculus family. You may have to get down on the ground to view this gorgeous perennial, which blooms early in the spring. Read more.

Garden Path

Tulips of Yesteryear

Poppies Galore

My garden is in full bloom, and the new enchanted garden is exciting. The whole ensemble is so peaceful and serene…Read more here and here.

My Prickly Heart

The cactus was bulging out of its pot, and looked vaguely heart shaped. I worked in Photoshop to expand the visual resemblance to a Valentine’s Day heart, with the results you see here. Read more.

Elemental

I spent a few days on the Oregon coast in a model photography workshop. I primarily worked in black and white with my Leica Monochrom M11 using an orange filter. Read more.

Lovely

Socks with Mini

Red Velvet

The poppies I planted in my garden in the autumn are blooming wonderfully. I’ve been enjoying photographing them, this year focusing on the core of the flower. Read more.

Celebration of Poppies

I am traveling in Japan through the end of the month, and by the time I get back most of the poppies in my garden will have bloomed and faded. The cycle of life when it comes to flowers can be short, but always sweet. Read more.

Miyajima

Pine Tree, Ritsurin Garden

Magnolia

For this black and white image made with my Leica Monochrom M11 I experimented with different color filters. Read more.

Rose

To make these images, I turned the center column of my tripod upside down. Safely getting my camera into the now-upside-down ARCA-style clamp took a measure of care and dexterity. Read more.

Autumn Sunset at Koun-ji 

Autumn Red

Gazania

The Gazania, commonly known as the African Daisy, is a highly heliotropic flower. This means that it opens in direct sunshine, and closes back up in the evening (or on very cloudy days). Read more.

Sword Fern Frond

To make these portraits of an up-close-and-personal Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) frond beginning to unfurl, I used my 135mm lens on a bellows. Read more.

Raindrops on a Rose

I had great fun yesterday photographing a rose in my garden after an overnight shower. In the morning, the rose had wonderful, small water drops on its petals. Read more.

Mandala 101 Inversion

The other day I set out to create a mandala using flower petals on my light box. Read more.

Windows on Autumn

Portals

I hope you’ve enjoyed this overview of my 2025 photography adventures. This year has been not without challenges for myself, our family, and the world, but I have enjoyed traveling, spending time with my family and in my garden, being creative, and growing as an artist! 

Most of my images are available as prints. If you are interested, please let us know.

Check out my self-selected bests from previous years in Best Images Annuals!