Great photography captures the heart, soul and unique personality of a community. Our staff photographers highlight North America's most livable cities.

Camp Hoblitzelle-Midlothian, Texas

 Two weeks ago I photographed the Hoblitzelle Camp and Conference Center in Midlothian, Texas. It offers a beautiful setting for  spiritual and marriage enrichment retreats, training conferences, youth rallies and team-building events. There were no events going on while I was there so I spent a couple of hours photographing the ranchers working with the horses and longhorn cattle. The animals watched me carefully, especially when I would get near their babies.

Portraits of Elmer T. Lee and Jimmy Russell, Kentucky

This week I had the pleasure of photographing two very interesting men, both legends in the world of bourbon-making. Elmer T. Lee, the 91 year old Master Distiller Emeritus at Buffalo Trace Distillery and Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller at Wild Turkey since 1954. They have been competitors for decades and each of them hold secret recipes that make their bourbon unique and their company successful. They are also great friends with the utmost respect for one another.

Skiing in Flagstaff, AZ

The Arizona Snowbowl is located about 7 miles north of Flagstaff on Highway 180. They offer 4 lifts servicing 32 trails for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. The Arizona Snowbowl is located on the San Francisco Peaks and has been in operation for 70 years. Flagstaff is just one of many communities that will soon be added to www.livability.com.

Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Last Wednesday I photographed the Sixers vs. Suns at US Airways Center in Phoenix. It was only the second NBA game I had shot, so I was ready for a challenge. Shooting any professional sport is tough because the game moves so quickly while looking through a viewfinder. 

As soon the first quarter began Steve Nash started to dominate the game. Even coming off a couple of injuries, he made something happen every time he touched the ball. He scored 20 points and handed out 13 assists as the Suns won 106-95 for their fourth straight victory. 

A snow day in Crockett Park, Brentwood, TN

I've lived in Tennessee my entire life and I don't remember ever seeing it snow as much as it has this year. It seems like every time it starts to warm up, we're hit with another snowstorm. I woke up early last week to another snowy day, only this time it was also sunny. I grabbed my camera, locked my Jeep in 4 wheel drive and headed out. I was shooting at Crockett Park in Brentwood when I saw this guy walking his 2 dogs down a nature trail. It happened so quickly that I only got a couple of shots before he and his dogs disappeared into the woods.

South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX

South Congress Avenue (SoHo) in Austin, Texas has been revitalized into a hip, trendy area lined with vintage shops, funky galleries and cool restaurants. It's a great spot to get a glimpse of true Austin character. This is a view of the Texas State Capitol from SoHo.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Every time I've gone to Albuquerque I've tried to get the perfect angle for a nice skyline shot that would show the Sandia Mountains in the background. I was lucky enough on my last trip to meet a desk clerk at a condominium complex who risked her job to take me to the roof and then to an empty condo to get my shot.

White Sands National Monument, NM

Encompassing 275 square miles of desert, White Sands National Monument is the world's largest gypsum dune field.

Mount Cristo Rey, Sunland Park, NM

Atop Mount Cristo Rey is a monumental statue of Jesus, sculpted by Spanish-born American sculptor Urbici Soler. The mountain is 800 feet tall and is the site of an annual pilgrimage on Easter Sunday.

Elk at Kendrick Park, Sheridan, WY

A large male elk stands in a field at Kendrick Park in Sheridan, Wyoming.  At the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains and at the gateway to Yellowstone, Sheridan County is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Sheridan ranks No. 3 on the Outdoor Living list of communities and has been voted the No. 1 Western Town in America.