Artist Statement
A photograph is a powerful thing and as a photographer the ultimate goal is to bring life, to evoke emotion and to initiate a spark; a spark that can flourish even in the darkest of times. Each and every exposure has meaning, be it symbolic, raw or natural. My goal is to create imagery that resonates with the viewer and inspires them. That being said I think it’s important to understand the impact that photographs can have. It’s important that photographers, and the visitors that they inspire, take care of the lands that we are so passionate about through sustainable photographic principles. I work hard to ensure that the places that I photograph will be there for future generations to enjoy, and I encourage everyone whom visits these areas to do the same.
Landscapes are in a constant ebb and flow, be it from naturally occurring events, or human impact. My number one goal is to take the human element out of the equation. Sustainable landscape photography principles and leave no trace practices are the cornerstone to my teaching methods and my thoughts on moving the field forward in positive direction. Our connection with nature couldn’t be more important than it is now, and my hope is that these photographs inspire others to learn, explore and to respect the lands that we are lucky enough to call home.
About Me
I’m a 34 year old writer and award winning Seattle area based landscape photographer with a serious passion for the outdoors, specializing in Pacific Northwest and Desert Southwest Landscape photography. Whether it’s climbing, hiking or snowboarding, you can always find me in the mountains or on the water. I’ve always loved to share my experiences and stories with others, but sometimes words fail to describe some of the breathtaking scenery I’ve had the privilege to see in Washington, Utah and abroad. That’s where the photographs come in. Landscape photography has allowed me to share some amazing experiences and stunning landscapes with others and gives me a sort of satisfaction that is second to none.
Nature has always been a huge part of my life. My parents instilled an early love for the outdoors in me from about the time I could walk. We had a small piece of land over in the Hood Canal area, namely Lake Cushman, WA. I would get lost for hours on the small trails behind our lot. Something about the swaying trees and the damp ferns drew me into the unknown. I can still remember the smell of the forest floor rich with moss and dew crunching beneath my feet; memories like that greatly influenced my love for the outdoors later in life and had a huge impact on me at a young age.
My dad actually dabbled in photography a lot in his early 20’s and we had a few of his landscape images hanging in our house. In thinking about it now it definitely had an impact on me from an artistic perspective. He was also very much into watercolors and pastels and he actually sold a few of his pieces when I was younger. Watching him work on his art pieces; how he played with light, texture and lines really has influenced how I visualize and conceptualize my work today. My workflow has definitely been impacted by his work as well as the work of the Hudson River School painters such as Albert Bierstadt.
My parents gave me my first point and shoot; an old Fuji film camera, when I was fairly young and I could honestly completely lose track of time in the forests or even in my backyard taking photos of anything that piqued my interest. As a teen I took a step back from art and nature as I was heavily involved in sports and I was honestly so busy I didn’t make time for those things. It wasn’t until my early 20’s that I found myself back in my hiking boots. I picked up a Canon point and shoot just to document my various hiking trips and soon found myself trading in my boots and trekking poles for crampons and ice axes.
The mountains were calling my name and I quickly found myself yearning for summit bids and epic adventure. It was then that I realized it was time to get back into photography. I had seen some amazing things and had so many stories but sometimes the words and descriptions wouldn’t suffice; the camera was the answer. I picked up my first DSLR ten years ago and I’ve never looked back.
Photography has opened my eyes in ways I never could have imagined. I now see the world from a completely different perspective; one of sweeping lines, changing light, beautiful foregrounds and endless possibilities. When you’re behind the lens the world is really what you make it, you’re the artist and nature is your canvas. There’s simply nothing like it.
Contact Information: cwexplorationphotography@gmail.com
