The past couple of years have been quieter for my photography. My creative energy has been focused on teaching and building our family’s new home in the mountains—a project I’ve come to think of as “the single biggest creative endeavor of my life.”
When I look back on 2024, I see yet another shift in my focus. Wildlife photography played a bigger role than usual, with birds and animals popping up more frequently in my work. Photographing wildlife has always been a joy for me, but this year I made a more deliberate effort to seek out these experiences, and I loved every moment.
Yosemite National Park continued to inspire me in ways that never fail to surprise me. It’s a muse I’ll never tire of, constantly pushing me to do better. I was honored to exhibit again at The Ansel Adams Gallery in the spring, and I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support the show received.
Teaching also brought some wonderful experiences this year. I had the privilege of working with Out of Chicago at their Big Sur and Grand Tetons conferences. However, I’ve decided to cut back to teaching only two conferences in 2025 to focus on personal projects—and, perhaps most exciting of all, to prepare for becoming grandparents!
Another big milestone ahead is the completion of our Wawona home, which we’re hopeful will be finished by the end of 2025. My fondest wish is to celebrate next year’s holidays there, in the heart of Yosemite National Park. If you’d like to follow along with the progress, I’ve created a dedicated Instagram account for the project: @wawonadiaries.
Wishing you and your loved ones all the best in the coming year!
“Tears From Heaven” — Ribbon Fall, nestled on the western face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, stands as the tallest single-drop waterfall in North America at an impressive 1,612 feet. Fed by melting snow, this seasonal cascade springs to life in late winter and early spring, offering a fleeting but breathtaking display before drying up for much of the year. Captured here after a late spring snowfall.“Sky Waltz” — While Horsetail Fall typically attracts throngs of visitors in mid-February for its fiery light show, I’ve chosen to embrace its quieter beauty in spring. During peak runoff, it reveals a graceful charm that feels just as magical, if not more serene.“A Tale of Two Seasons” — A fleeting spring storm in Yosemite Valley dusts the towering granite cliffs with fresh snow, while the valley floor remains vibrant with the greens of awakening meadows and budding trees.“Spring Rapture” — I’m astonished by how many of my waterfall photographs feature Bridalveil Fall. Of all the waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, this one continuously captures my imagination. It is moody, bright, approachable and always enrapturing. Here it is in Spring, doing its thing that it does in the Spring.“Spring Snow on Oaks” — During a May visit to Yosemite Valley, a brief snowstorm softly draped the vibrant spring greens in a delicate layer of white. I was captivated by the striking contrast between the fresh, emerging life of the oaks and the austere granite cliffs towering behind them.“Geese in Flight” — Snow geese undertake one of the most remarkable migrations in the avian world, traveling thousands of miles between their Arctic breeding grounds and wintering sites in the southern United States and Mexico. The San Joaquin Valley is a vital stopover along the Pacific Flyway, providing essential habitat for resting and feeding.“Sanctuary” — California’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary provides habitat for at least 36 species of marine mammals, 94 species of seabirds, 525 species of fish, four species of sea turtles, 31 phyla of marine invertebrates, and 450 species of marine algae. It also rich in photographic opportunity. This was made early one morning as the Bay was just beginning to awake.“Big Sur Colors” — Big Sur’s unique beauty lies in the meeting of land and sea, a place where nature remains wild and breathtakingly untouched.“Tetons and Pond” — Arriving a few days early for the Out of Tetons Photography Conference gave me time to scout and prepare before teaching for the week. One morning, a group of instructors gathered at this spot to witness the sunrise together. The Tetons never fail to captivate—rising abruptly from the valley floor, they seem almost untethered from any surrounding formations, their sheer presence dominating the landscape.“Grizzly 1063 and Her Triplets” — During my visit to the Tetons last June, I joined the ranks of photographers eagerly hoping for a chance to see a Grizzly bear. Fortune was on my side. I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Grizzly 399 and her cub, as well as this remarkable mother bear, Grizzly 1063, with her triplets!“Red Fox, Tetons” — Wildlife often follows predictable behavior patterns, much like we do. On the way back to the lodge after a morning field session, our workshop group spotted this Red Fox near the road. We pulled over, cameras ready, and watched as it hunted for small rodents, entirely unfazed by our presence. The next day, at the same time and place, we spotted the fox again. Anticipating its direction, we positioned ourselves ahead of its path, set up our gear, and waited for it to pass.“Black-Billed Magpie” — This striking bird features a black-and-white plumage, with its wings and tail adorned by black sections that shimmer with iridescent hues of blue and blue-green. This parent was busily tending to its very vocal nestlings, tucked into a barn at Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park.“Water and Light Ripples” — Even the most unassuming places can reveal captivating scenes. I made this photograph while peering into an irrigation ditch.“Tetons Sunrise” — Jackson Lake, a natural lake enhanced by the construction of the Jackson Lake Dam, is primarily fed by the Snake River, which enters from the north and flows out at the dam. Situated at an elevation of 6,772 feet, it is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the United States. Here it is bathed in the pink hues of sunrise, as seen from my vantage point atop the dam.“High Water” — In June, a combination of storms and snowmelt caused the water levels at String Lake to rise, submerging the bases of the shoreline trees. This created a serene scene, perfect for crafting minimalist compositions.“Golden-Eye and Chicks” — While scouting locations, we stumbled upon this dedicated mother, who had her hands full with 12 lively chicks. Somehow, she managed to keep them all in check. Their charm was irresistible, and they undoubtedly played a big role in filling up my memory card that day!“Calliope Hummingbird” — This was a “life bird” for me, a term birders use to describe the first time they ever spot a particular species. Perched gracefully atop a nearby shrub, it flashed its vivid crimson feathers with confidence, likely hoping to impress any nearby females.“Aspen and Serviceberry” — I first encountered the Serviceberry shrub during a trip to the Tetons, where it thrives abundantly along the waterways. This photograph was captured on a pre-conference scouting excursion. Just a few days later, when we returned to this spot with the workshop group, a sudden cold snap had caused most of the flowers to fade.“Moose!” — Hoping for a glimpse of one, we hiked to a small lake near Jenny Lake, Grand Tetons National Park, where a moose had been spotted the day before. To our delight, there were three—two wading and feeding on the rich underwater plants, and one near the shore. This big guy was the closest, so I grabbed my longest lens and got to work capturing the moment.“Merganser and Her Chick” — This summer seemed to pass in a blur, with Yosemite experiencing some of the highest temperatures I can recall. Nearly every day in July saw the mercury climb into the high 90s. To escape the heat, we often spent afternoons cooling off in the river near our place in Wawona. One such day, we were fortunate to share the swimming hole with this graceful female Merganser and her chick.Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) — Autumn brought drama to the night skies. Depending on where you were in October, you might have seen the aurora borealis, or Comet C/2023 A3, which was bright in the sky in October.“Rising” — Nestled in the Eastern Sierra, Mono Lake is a fascinating ecological marvel, nearly a million years old, and home to brine shrimp and alkali flies that sustain a population of migratory birds, including the second largest nesting population of California gulls. It’s a surreal and ancient landscape with many enduring mysteries. Here it is one Autumn morning as golden sunrise light filters through the mists rising over its waters.“A Blue Day” — As a storm swept over Mono Lake, it treated the landscape to a dazzling light show of rainbows and God-beams. I set up my Hasselblad camera with my longest lens, a 135mm, dialed in a one-minute exposure, and then stepped back to marvel at the unfolding spectacle.“Warmth” — The first rays of light makes its way across the lake on a crisp Autumn morning.“Fleeting” — One November afternoon, as we arrived in Yosemite on our way to our place in Wawona, the car was packed to the brim with supplies for the week. Glancing to my left, I saw Dogwoods illuminated by the golden glow of late-afternoon sunlight, snowflakes still drifting down from a recent storm. The scene was irresistible. I pulled over to a nearby pullout and asked Gary if he minded me grabbing my camera to capture it. His expression said it all—my camera bag and tripod were buried deep in the avalanche of supplies. Without hesitation, and because he’s the good and patient man he is, Gary set to work excavating through the packed car to retrieve my gear. Grateful, I promised him I’d create something truly special to make his effort worthwhile. Moments like these remind me how fleeting beauty can be, and how much sweeter it is to share it with someone who understands its pull.“End of Summer” — This small cascade does not even earn a name by Yosemite standards. It is just called “that cascade up the creek” by locals. In spring, it roars down the boulders, a 60-foot tumble that soaks you in mist within seconds. By late Autumn, as the seasons shift, it flows softly, quietly threading its way down the ravine.“Arching” — Autumn in Yosemite Valley unfolds with a long and captivating display. It begins with the Maple trees, their brilliant yellow leaves and broad canopies forming elegant arches over roadways and waterways, setting a graceful tone for the season.“Autumn Zen” — Willows contribute their unique charm to Yosemite’s vibrant Autumn display. I’ve always been drawn to these shrubs for their intricate texture and warm colors, offering a striking contrast to the serene waterways they call home.“Young Pine” — This modest pine captured my eye as it stood resiliently in front of a recently controlled burn area in Yosemite Valley. The gentle snowfall enhanced the atmosphere, creating a serene and fleeting moment. This image is the result of a dozen layered exposures.
Charlotte Gibb is a contemporary fine art photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in landscapes of the Western United States. Her images are often taken in familiar places for the well-versed landscape photographer, but she prides herself on her keen eye toward the subtle and sometimes overlooked beauty of the natural world. Growing up among the beautiful mountains of Northern California, she considers herself a student of life, learning about people, nature, music, and photography along the way. But always, her life-long passion for the wilderness shines through it all.
Charlotte earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has exhibited her work in several solo shows throughout California. Her darkroom, long gone now, has been replaced with digital darkroom tools, and her style has evolved from a somewhat journalistic approach, to one that pays tribute to the natural world.
Incredible captures for 2024. Hope 2025 is even better. Your last pic of the lone pine looks like a Christmas card but even that concept seems to be fading with current culture. Alas. Wishing you a Happy New Photographic Year!
Thank you, Karl! The Lone Pine photograph was meant to be a Christmas message, so I’m glad to know that you recognized the concept. I hope you have a great year as well, both personally and photographically!
A truly inspiring collection! Among many favorintes, I was struck by “A Blue Day” of Mono Lake. I love the drama and softness. Thanks for sharing your work.
Your photographs are beautiful. The inclusion of more wildlife makes the nature connection even more real. We love all of them, especially the moose and hummingbird. You are clearly one of the best photographers out there. Thank you for sharing your work with us. It is very inspiring. Somehow, I hear soft guitar music in my head as I appreciate nature through your lens 🙂
Thank you, Ace! I’m glad you are enjoying my wildlife pics. I’m also glad to hear you are still picking up your guitar! I need to do the same and get my chops back up to speed!!!
Thank you, Garry! Comet and Young Pine are two of my favs as well. The night I made the comet photo is one I’ll never forget. I should write something up about it some day.
I’m so glad to see “Warmth” on your list—it’s one I love as well. My husband suggested I remove it from the collection, but I couldn’t let it go. The simplicity of the composition speaks to me on so many levels: light versus dark, warm versus cool, the interplay of rocks, water, and life, and the quiet triumph of morning light breaking through the night. Thanks for taking the time to view them and comment, Larry!
Thank you, my friend! Each year, as I look back through my collection of photos, I’m reminded of the stories behind them—and so often, those stories include you and Claudia. The photos are a wonderful bonus, but the memories are truly priceless!
14 Comments
Karl Chiang
Incredible captures for 2024. Hope 2025 is even better. Your last pic of the lone pine looks like a Christmas card but even that concept seems to be fading with current culture. Alas. Wishing you a Happy New Photographic Year!
charlottegibb
Thank you, Karl! The Lone Pine photograph was meant to be a Christmas message, so I’m glad to know that you recognized the concept. I hope you have a great year as well, both personally and photographically!
Michael White
Love your collection. Great job!
charlottegibb
Thank you, Michael!
Don Mohr
A truly inspiring collection! Among many favorintes, I was struck by “A Blue Day” of Mono Lake. I love the drama and softness. Thanks for sharing your work.
charlottegibb
Thank you, Don! Look forward to seeing more of you in 2025!
Ace Batacan
Your photographs are beautiful. The inclusion of more wildlife makes the nature connection even more real. We love all of them, especially the moose and hummingbird. You are clearly one of the best photographers out there. Thank you for sharing your work with us. It is very inspiring. Somehow, I hear soft guitar music in my head as I appreciate nature through your lens 🙂
charlottegibb
Thank you, Ace! I’m glad you are enjoying my wildlife pics. I’m also glad to hear you are still picking up your guitar! I need to do the same and get my chops back up to speed!!!
Garry Fritz
I love all of your wrok. My favorites for 2024 are the Comet and Young Pine. I always look forward to see your photos. Keep up the great work.
charlottegibb
Thank you, Garry! Comet and Young Pine are two of my favs as well. The night I made the comet photo is one I’ll never forget. I should write something up about it some day.
Larry D. White
Hi Charlotte, Sanctuary, Big Sur Colors, Water & Light Ripples, Warmth, End of Summer and Arching are my favorites, all are beautiful though!
charlottegibb
I’m so glad to see “Warmth” on your list—it’s one I love as well. My husband suggested I remove it from the collection, but I couldn’t let it go. The simplicity of the composition speaks to me on so many levels: light versus dark, warm versus cool, the interplay of rocks, water, and life, and the quiet triumph of morning light breaking through the night. Thanks for taking the time to view them and comment, Larry!
Michael
Wonderful selection Charlotte – as always!
charlottegibb
Thank you, my friend! Each year, as I look back through my collection of photos, I’m reminded of the stories behind them—and so often, those stories include you and Claudia. The photos are a wonderful bonus, but the memories are truly priceless!