I was born to be an artist and a photographer. I got my first good 35mm interchangeable lens camera, a GAF-branded Chinon, with paperboy money when I was a kid. I learned the technique of film exposure and developing and printing in the traditional darkroom in the late 1970's. It wasn't until quite a bit later in life that I began to spend so much time exploring the great outdoors. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I suppose I took it for granted until I roamed and saw more of the world. Traveling, hiking, backpacking, climbing in the late '80s and early '90s, I became serious about capturing the rare moments I'd witness in the wilderness when light and weather combine with other natural elements to inspire capture of a transformative image. It became my life's greatest pleasure to seek out and photograph strange and beautiful moments, alien landscapes on Earth, to bring back and share. I try to do justice to nature's incredible gifts by diligently doing the work to render what is offered respectfully, elegantly and, at times, dramatically.

During my lifetime I've witnessed an incredible evolution in the art of photography. The greater controls in processing of raw material, evolving from chemical processes to scanning film, then full digital capture, and the ability to produce high quality, long-lasting prints, have been watersheds.

After many years, I've developed a certain way of approaching a subject and some very definite ways of processing my images. I try to capture beautiful locations composed in my own way, always with attention to unsettled weather, fantastic light, atmosphere and timing. I use many of the same processes digitally that were first pioneered with film, paper and chemicals. Some will find my processing excessive while others say it appears restrained. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle. I do not add anything that was not present at the time of capture, notably colors or natural elements. I only aim to make the most of what I was given. My philosophy on making an image is that you can't get something from nothing, and doing justice to what you get requires work and not just a little bit of obsessive compulsive disorder. I have spent a crazy amount of time and effort pursuing my passion.

I travel mostly within the western US and Canada, and I have a particular connection to Korea, where I lived and worked many years ago. I return to visit and photograph there frequently.

Since 2006, I've been happily producing and selling my own prints and framed pieces to clients through this website, at art shows and events, and in gift stores, mostly in my home state of Washington.

I license the rights to use my work. I've been published worldwide, including in Outdoor Photographer, National Geographic and Time/Life print and digital publications. I have won awards ranging from First Place in Outdoor Photographer magazine's Great Outdoors competition to placing in juried showcases like Colorado Audubon's Share The View for multiple years. Above all, I'm most proud to have received respectful comments from great photographers I admire.

I also have the unintended distinction of having many of my images appear without my authorization all over the world. That said, I hold the exclusive copyrights to all of my images. You need to contact me to license the rights or otherwise use any of my work for anything. I often allow use for educational purposes or for causes I believe in, but please do me the consideration of asking permission and attributing the work to me. I'm reasonable, but I've been burned plenty. I will pursue my rights aggressively if needed.

I don't belong to many professional organizations, but I was a member of the North American Nature Photography Association, NANPA, until recently. My images can be found at various award levels in every NANPA Showcase competition and annual Expressions publication from 2008 to 2024.

I believe conservation of our natural heritage should be the priority of everyone who loves it and relies on it to do what they love. Please help preserve our wild natural lands. Support artists you admire because they need your help to continue to do work of value. And please leave the wilderness pristine for everyone and everything that depends on it.

-Geoff Schmid, Washington State, USA