Brendan Reeves

Nikon Z8 Ski Photography Settings (My Real Setup Explained) I often get asked what gear I use and how I set up my camera for ski photography, so I thought I’d put together a proper breakdown of how I use my Nikon Z8 in real conditions. This isn’t a generic settings guide — it’s the […]

Hokkaido Photography Locations: A Wildlife & Landscape Itinerary Hokkaido feels like a different side of Japan—quieter, wilder, and far less developed than the mainland. Shaped by a relatively recent frontier history and the heritage of the Ainu, it’s a place defined by open landscapes, harsh winters, and strong seasonal change. Deep snow blankets the island

Nikon Z8 Review After 18 Months: Real-World Wildlife, Landscape & Ski Photography This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I’ve been using the Nikon Z8 for about 18 months now. I use it for landscape photography, wildlife, ski photography, and

Hokkaido Winter Photography – Forests, Wildlife and Quiet Places Winter in Hokkaido is not gentle. Weeks can pass without a clear sky. Snow falls constantly, wind cuts through layers, and temperatures drop well below freezing. It would be easy to stay inside. But this is exactly why Hokkaido winter photography is so compelling. I’ve spent

Mindful Photography: How Slowing Down Improves the Way You See Mindful photography isn’t about taking better photos.It’s about slowing down enough to actually see what’s around you. For me, slowing down isn’t just a nice idea — it’s often necessary. With an ADHD mind, switching from one thing to another can be surprisingly difficult. My

Wildlife and Nature Photography Near Sapporo Sapporo is often seen as a base for travelling elsewhere in Hokkaido — a city you pass through on the way to mountains, wetlands, or more remote wildlife destinations. Even short visits can offer real opportunities for wildlife and nature photography near Sapporo, without needing to travel far from

My Camera Gear Story — and Why There’s No “Best” System Affiliate DisclosureSome links on this page are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’ve used myself or genuinely believe is good value. I’m often asked

Summer in Daisetsuzan National Park: Hiking and Photography in Hokkaido Summer in the Belly of Hokkaido In the summer of 2025, I travelled to the Daisetsuzan range in central Hokkaido to hike and photograph several routes through Daisetsuzan National Park on assignment for Wild Magazine in Australia. I’d been here many times in winter —

How I Work as a Photographer With ADHD: One Year of Hard Lessons and Small Wins It’s been one year since my ADHD diagnosis, and in that time I’ve realised something important:
I don’t want to build a photography business shooting things I don’t care about.
Nature is what inspires me.
It’s where my brain settles, where I

Nikon 180–600mm Real World Review: 1.5 Years of Wildlife Photography I don’t do technical reviews. I don’t sit in a studio photographing ISO charts or brick walls.
I spend my time in forests, snowstorms, rivers, and beaches—with cold fingers and wildlife that never does what you want. This is my real-world Nikon 180–600mm review, based on

Lake Onuma Photography Guide: Islands, Reflections, and Mt. Komagatake A Calm Lake, 100 Islands, and Endless Compositions in Southern Hokkaido Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support this blog and the work

Landscape Photography Guide to Niseko – Mt Yotei, Volcanoes & Wildlife Niseko offers so much more than just world-class skiing. It’s an incredible region for both landscape and wildlife photography, shaped by volcanoes, forests, and deep snow. Shaped by volcanoes, forests, and deep snow, Niseko’s scenery changes dramatically with the seasons. Whether you’re capturing Mount

Photographing in Hokkaido Through the Seasons I’ve spent the last few years photographing in Hokkaido through all four seasons, but I’ve been coming here — Japan’s wild north — on and off for around 15 years. Most of that time was for winter, chasing snow and skiing. Only recently did I start exploring it beyond

Ski Photography Tips: How to Photograph Skiing with Best Gear, Settings, and Techniques Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support this blog and the work I put into creating these guides. I

How I Discovered My Photography Style For a long time, I wasn’t sure if I had a photography style. My work felt too varied. I shoot skiing, wildlife, landscapes, and sometimes other things entirely. I enjoy the challenge of trying new subjects, and I used to think that variety meant I couldn’t possibly have a

Otago Peninsula Wildlife Photography Guide Otago Peninsula wildlife ranges from New Zealand sea lions resting on remote sandy beaches to rare seabirds nesting on cliff edges and wetlands alive with spoonbills, shags, and kingfishers. Set on the southern edge of New Zealand’s South Island, the peninsula is one of the country’s top wildlife photography locations.

Winter Photography Tips: How to Shoot Stunning Photos in Cold Weather Winter photography opens up incredible opportunities — especially here in Hokkaido, Japan, where I’m based. From minimalist snowy landscapes to action sports like skiing and unique wildlife, the possibilities are endless. But winter photography also brings real challenges: extreme cold, heavy snow, and the