Hey there!
I'm a landscape and night photographer from Des Moines, IA, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
After nearly a decade working in politics and government, I made the leap into the creative world to spend more time finding – and chronicling – the things that inspired me to pursue policy in the first place.
I bought my first camera to try to photograph the Comet NEOWISE in 2020. The camera arrived too late, but I have been active ever since. As a self-taught photographer, I now specialize in landscapes, wildlife, and nighttime photography.
The diverse wildlife and rugged environment in Colorado provide endless inspiration for my photos and keep me motivated to continue working toward their preservation.
My work has been featured in galleries in Colorado and Vermont, archived in the Bruce Murray Space Image Library, and published in the international magazine, The Planetary Report.
Say hi if you get a chance!
-Zaak
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My mission.
Authenticity in creative arts is intrinsically valuable. Ever since the world was introduced to generative Artificial Intelligence in 2023, this cornerstone of expression has been relentlessly attacked and stolen - often at immense social and environmental cost.
All of the pictures I publish are real photos taken from real places. Real thought and substantial effort go into capturing images of wild animals, protected lands, and the night sky.
All of my photographs are taken from publicly accessible areas. Pictures of wildlife are ethically taken at distance and without interference, and I take great care to minimize my impact on the dark when shooting during the night.
