While I enjoy experiencing and photographing new locations as much as the next person, there's also much to be said for places that are frequently visited - like those closer to home. (Given the current situation, close to home may be all you've got to work with right now. And let's face it, even if things were "normal" constantly traveling to find the next exciting locale can be costly and time consuming.)

As mentioned in a recent post, when I lived in New Hampshire I spent countless mornings working at the seacoast for the better part of five years. My husband once asked whether that didn't get boring.

I'll bet you can guess my answer!

Going to the same area over and over again is the only way to truly get to know it. You see it in different types of light. In a variety of conditions. During different times of the year. You can see how it changes over time, and you'll learn what to expect from Mother Nature. You learn to look deeper; there are many intimate shots to be found within the bigger landscape.

Shooting a location repeatedly encourages creativity. Nothing appears exactly the same from one visit to the next. What catches the eye today may be something that appeared plain or nondescript yesterday.

In a few days I'll be back again in the Tetons - my "local" park - where I've worked many, many times. My assignment will be to photograph "green season." What that means in terms of images, I don't yet know. Avoiding preconceived notions about specifically what I'm going to shoot creates more opportunities.

If you're feeling like you're in a rut with a location, remove expectations, keep an open mind, and slow down to give yourself a chance to notice things. The photographs will follow.