Our Mission: To make you feel happier and more connected, by looking at a picture.
Our mission is to give people unique connections to our world by freezing split-seconds in time and space.
What do we do, and why are we different?: Natural connections photographs are designed to be therapeutic, and to reveal the consciousness of our subjects. Our images are made with the intention to cultivate emotional connection between viewer and subject, and to bring the sense of excitement present in natural ecosystems into reach for those who (for whatever reason) can't experience it firsthand. We go beyond the literal scenery to convey the feeling of a scene, or the state of a subject, as one would experience it in life.
When we capture the light from incredible moments, whether exciting or relaxing, we use photographic techniques to convey the sensation of these moments in the manner that photography does not normally facilitate; providing a connection between viewer and subject that is enhanced relative to simply documenting a subject through photography.
Top of the crop: We select Natural Connections' photographs from our broader artistic portfolio; choosing only those that have the highest likelihood of giving you the aforementioned effects (revealing the consciousness of subjects, and offering a connection between viewer and subject). We believe images are capable of eliciting a vast array of emotions. These images are crafted to elicit empowering emotions that combat or diffuse emotional states of dread, isolation and disconnection. No image will have the same reaction in every viewer, but every image is designed to elicit an uplifting, exciting, cathartic or soothing reaction.
Our Background: Our work is influenced by Ansel Adams' groundbreaking conceptual method of photographic visualization; and his technical method of the "zone system" of lighting analysis. Our images apply both of these concepts to various extents. Georgia O' Keefe, Edward Weston, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, and Albert Bierstadt (among others) are also creative influences.
We find nothing offers greater opportunity than patience: by observing a subject at length, but capturing only the most revealing instant of a subject's activity, we make conscious, careful use of light, form, color, and perspective to maximize our images' capacity to resonate with the human mind and body. We aim to show that humanity is not alone in our experience on earth, but part of a beautiful diversity of species consciously and passionately engaging in life on our planet.
Our images find distinction from beautiful images one finds elsewhere because while beautiful scenery and subject matter are part of our strategy, they are only a part of it: Increasing awareness of humanity's emotional connection with other life is an essential goal in all we do. Natural connections images are highly influenced by philosophies demonstrating that our experience of the world is more similar to other life than most of us would tend to think. We attempt to evince this belief by immersing viewers into the consciousness of our subjects, so we can feel emotional connection between viewers and subject.
We use many techniques; some modern, others ancient, to reach this goal. Our images are made to uplift the soul by marshaling the technical forces of lighting, color, depth of field, perspective, and intuition alongside basic ethological practices of regarding nature with curiosity and respect; all of which are essential for developing a Natural Connections image.
Improvement: We are always aiming higher; trying to improve our capacity to share the story of our subjects and improve the lives of our viewers. Continuous improvement will be part of our enterprise as we continue along this journey.