Colleen J. Miniuk-Sperry's Blog

The saying goes: “The two most important days of a man’s life are the day on which you were born and the day on which you find out why.” ~Anonymous (often attributed incorrectly to Mark Twain)

I was born almost 47 years ago in April; I found out why—and decided to do something about it—on February 28, 2007. Fifteen years ago today, I walked out of my safe, secure job as a project manager at Intel Corporation and into the uncertain world of outdoor photography. I’ve considered February 28 my per...

Join me and a host of special guests on August 18 from 7-9 pm Eastern Time to celebrate the release of my newest book, the updated 2nd edition of  “Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How.”

I normally host a small book release get-together at my house once the book arrives. It’s always a fun time, but since it’s a local event, I’m not able to get all my friends across the world together…The pandemic has taught me how to use technology (Zoom) to bring peop...

Looking for a creative boost for your photography? Super excited for you to hear this brand new podcast interview with Brenda Petrella with the Outdoor Photography Podcast. Have a listen to “Visual Perception and Cultivating Creativity” at www.outdoorphotographyschool.com/episode19.

Here’s what Brenda had to say about our chat:

“Today, I sit down with Arizona-based landscape photographer, avid writer, and educator, Colleen Miniuk, to chat about the value of following your curiosity, letting go ...

Had a lovely chat recently with Howard Fox with the Success InSights podcast where I shared my thoughts about my journey with photography, following your passion, and valuing transformation over time.

We’re all making up our own way in this life–here’s a bit about how I’m piecing mine together using “I wonder what would happen if…” You only get one chance through, make it count!

Have a listen at https://www.successinsightpodcast.com/2021/06/colleen-miniuk.html.

Thanks for the great discussion,...

Last February, I presented at the Out of Yosemite conference. I had turned down the offer to be an instructor there twice. I had only visited Yosemite once before (for a dear friend’s wedding) and had never photographed there before. I didn’t feel like I belonged. After some cajoling by the Out of Chicago staff, I finally agreed. And my life, unknowingly at the time, was forever changed.

(Let the remainder of this story be a lesson in saying YES!)

While there, I happened to meet Jeanne Falk Ada...

I had the chance to speak with Marci Nault at E2T Adventures about stand-up paddleboarding, facing fears, and living life on your own terms on our individual rivers of life.

This was one of my first podcast interviews not about photography specifically (although the topic does come up in the discussion). You’ll hear some of the backstories I write about in my forthcoming adventure travel memoir called “Going with the Flow” (Yes, I’m STILL working on it…my latest draft went to one of my editors ...

Thanks to many of you, I have SOLD OUT of my first edition of the guidebook “Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How.” I continue to get requests for copies (that I don’t have) and many of you sent in great suggestions for new locations and other revisions.

So I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into the updated 2nd edition! I’ve packed all I’ve learned into this 224-page book from my 450+ days in Acadia since 2009 as a three-time Artist-in-Residence, fre...

Like many young kids, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I thought maybe a doctor or a lawyer. Whatever it was, I intended to pick one path and stay with it until I retired, make a lot of money, and then live happily ever after…

Out of college, I landed what many would call a dream job at a dream company. One year of long hours and stress became 2, 2 became 3, 3 became almost 10—and I couldn’t sit in a windowless, grey-walled cube anymore. On February 28, 2007, I walked out of In...

About a week ago, I went camping with Jeanne Adams (Ansel Adams’ daughter-in-law). She came to Arizona to pick up a new camper van and my 16 prints for my “The Current Flow: Water in the Arid West” exhibit this June. Before she drove home, I offered to help her break in her new rig (while following all COVID social-distancing guidelines). We ended up spending a delightful three days in Marble Canyon along my beloved Colorado River. I photographed. She painted. I watched her. She suggested I sho...

Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s hoping your 2021 is off to a bright start.

I certainly don’t need to remind anyone that 2020 wasn’t the year we had all planned. Yet, as I kept in touch with people across our virtual communications lines, I’ve heard so many stories about how we each still found moments of peace, of hope and joy, of awe and wonder. Those are the memories worth packing along with us as we move into a new year of opportunities–so I offer these images of mine, none of which were exp...