Behind the Lens: The Power of an Image

As I was walking around my parents house this holiday season, I came across an image of myself as a wee little lad. Not only did I do a double take, but I had to run and grab my son so that I could take this photo to show the similarities between my son Jack and I as little babies.

Son and his Father — A son and his father

It got me thinking about the nostalgic feeling that childhood images have for both the parent and the child when they grow up. Living in the digital age, Jack, and subsequently my wife and I, will never have to deal with converting film images into digital as my parents are currently in the process of. Printed images only last for so long but digital images have the potential to last forever as little 1 and 0’s on our hard drives and the cloud computers of the future.

Lets hope he gets more of my wife’s features as he gets older….she is much better looking then I am 🙂

About the Author

Colby Brown

Colby Brown is a photographer, photo educator and author that specializes in landscape, travel and wildlife photography. His photographic portfolio spans the four corners of the globe and all 7 continents. He has worked as a photo instructor for National Geographic and founded The Giving Lens, an organization that blends photo education with support for various non-governmental organizations (NGO) and causes around the world, such as child education, clean drinking water projects, and women’s rights.

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Upcoming Photo Workshop Adventures...

Discover Cuba

February 1st – 8th, 2026

With this adventure, our focus will be on capturing the beauty of the Cuban people, culture, and architecture throughout the Island of Cuba. From the classic cars and ocean side highways in Havana to the cobblestone streets of Trinidad and everything in between. With so much uncertainty in the US/Cuban relationship, NOW is the time to go!

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Workshop

January 7th – 15th, 2026

Join me next January in one of the most biologically diverse countries on the planet, Costa Rica, where we will spend 9 days photographing toucans, macaws, rare frogs, snakes, sloths, anteaters and much more.

Bolivia Astro Photography Workshop

February 18th – 24th, 2026

Join me in Bolivia for an incredible adventure focuses on astro, landscape and wildlife photography as we explore the famous Salar de Uyuni with its glass like reflections as well as the high-altitude lagunas full of a variety of different species of Flamingos.

Leknes Northern Lights Lofoten Islands Norway Photo Workshop

Norway Photo Workshop – Lofoten Islands

February 22nd – March 1st, 2025

Join us this February as we explore this impressive series of Islands located above the Arctic Circle. While we will work hard to get you in the right spot for both sunrise and sunset, with over half the day steeped in darkness, we will make sure to chase any and all Aurora activity that presents itself throughout our time in the Lofoten Islands.