Hi, There!
My Friends Call Me Houdsta
Arch Rock State Park, Oregon Coast
I'm a landscape, & aerial photographer, content creator, & workshop leader
I guide aspiring photographers through the technical and creative aspects of landscape photography, I like to combine in-field instruction with classroom learning to help participants elevate their craft.
My YouTube channel provides tutorials, and content emphasizing the importance of connecting with nature through the lens. At the heart of my work is a desire to inspire others to spend more time outdoors, using photography as a means to experience nature's wonders.
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Mark Houde - the Houdsta
Wallingford, CT
True survivors. The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine is the world's oldest non-clonal tree!
This beautiful species resides at Spectra Point, Cedar Breaks, Utah, and is considered young at approximately 1,600 years old.
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At over 10,000 feet, harsh winters, gale winds, and more, these amazing trees know how to survive.
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THE HOUDSTA?
Occasionally I'm asked where the name Houdsta was derived from. The story while quite simple, is personally meaningful. Sometime ago my daughter's friend began calling me "the Houdsta" (as in Hood-sta) in a humorous way. I found this quite amusing. Before long, my daughter and her two best friends were all calling me the houdsta.
I've watched these girls grow-up together from their earliest days of school. Always an Arts family, dancing was a big part of their lives from pre-teen to 18 and through dance, they remained friends.
They bloomed into beautiful young, intelligent women and as they ventured off to different colleges starting new lives, I urged them to make a pact with each other to always remain like sisters and to create an arrangement to stay connected throughout their lives regardless of the space between them or life's busy fast pace.
When considering a name for my photography, it was quite simple: The Houdsta was the obvious choice further enabling the promise they've made to each other and hopefully to me - to support each other throughout their lives and celebrate all that is good.
To Nina, Taylor & Sarah, may your friendship commitment's remain as beautiful as your hearts and may you not forget the promises to each other.
- The Houdsta
Senior Trio: Last Dance