It’s happened. With my recent visit to Sequoia I have officially visited and photographed the personalities of the first 16 parks to enter the National Park System, thus completing the content gathering stage of Volume 1. This inaugural volume will treat you to a buffet of familiar and fresh. From the heights of Denali to the depths of the Grand Canyon, the far reaches of Hawai’i to the coastline of Maine. Beginning with Yellowstone, the park that started it all, Park Portraits: Volume 1 is a feast for the eyes and the soul as we explore the origins of our nation’s blossoming park system and beyond.
Yellowstone | Sequoia | Yosemite | Mount Rainier | Crater Lake | Wind Cave | Mesa verde | Glacier | Rocky mountain | Hawai’i Volcanoes | Lassen Volcanic | Denali | Acadia | Grand Canyon | Zion | Hot Springs
National Treasures
Photographing the most iconic and recognizable features in the country is both an breeze and a challenge. Everywhere you turn eyecatching scenes dominate the imagination. And yet, everyone it seems has a take on these timeless landscapes, so finding fresh interpretations is a puzzle. However, I’ve come to realize as with any medium, the possibilities are endless in nature. Like a paint palette, the time of day, season, weather, wildlife all play a part in putting a fresh spin on age old landmarks. The trick then is to find a comfortable balance between timeless and fresh. For instance, visiting Yosemite in winter was a convenient strategy for this volume. Not only did it make travel arrangements cheaper and easier, it cast a whole new light on the park scene. Suddenly Half Dome wasn’t old hat anymore. Under a blanket of snow it remained familiar but carried new personality. Similarly grabbing a bird’s eye view of Grand Canyon from a flightseeing tour or capturing astrophotography above Old Faithful brings new life to these highly photographed destinations. Our nation’s treasures can never grow stale as long as nature and our relationship with it keeps evolving.
Stuff of Dreams
Looking back at this collection of parks has me dreaming about revisiting. Each park it seems is inexhaustible. Even now, in compiling this collection of images I am learning there are sites and opportunities in these parks I wish I had known before traveling. Like hearing of Kilauea fountaining lava, not merely smoldering. Or realizing there is a spectacular overlook in Yellowstone that peers down on Grand Prismatic that I walked right past. Or if I had visited Denali just a week later, I would have seen an explosion of spring foliage. But that’s the beauty of the National Park System—we must all take the trip we are dealt and respect the opportunity to come away hungry for more. And really, that’s the heart of Parks Quest and this book: to whet your appetite to explore these gorgeous lands yourself and witness things I could only dream about. In all my travels, I truly want you to have the better park experience. If you are able to catch Kilauea’s eruption or take that overlooked overlook, then I’ve succeeded. So join me and explore the wild world in your backyard.
On to the Hidden Gems
In relation to Volume 1, Volume 2 is a cast of supporting roles. While Yellowstone, Yosemite, Denali, Acadia and others take center stage, we take the chance to probe into lesser-known parks like Haleakala in Hawaii and Utah’s Canyonlands, or perhaps the underground passageways of Carlsbad Caverns. These parks offer not just respite from the crowds, but secrets only those willing to search them out will find.
To follow along on this Park Quest, subscribe to our updates below.
Get up to date on the latest Park Portraits progress.
The quest for all national parks
Come along as we photograph the heart and soul of all 63 U.S. National Parks and use our firsthand experience to plan your very own expedition across America. Stay up to date on trip reports, book releases and top park content.
By submitting your information, you’re giving me permission to email you. You may unsubscribe at any time.
