My first taste of photography was in sixth grade: One of my teachers -- time has long since erased his name from my memory! -- offered an after-school photography class. We were each given a small, disposable camera with a roll of black & white film in it and a few days to go shoot photos. When we were done, our teacher developed the film, printed a contact sheet from the negatives, and allowed us to choose one shot to enlarge into an 8x10 print. Fifty years on, I only wish I could reach out and let that teacher know what a lasting impact he made on me. He opened a door to an entire universe of creative possibilities, which was absolutely exhilarating!

Fast forward to retirement after a life full of schooling, family, and career, and I've finally found the time to reignite that sense of creative joy.

I live and play in Colorado, at the intersection of the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains.

All photographs Copyright by Mike Estes.