Meet Scott Kemper | Landscape and Travel Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Kemper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking measured risks throughout my life has enhanced my journey and played a part in where I am today. I’m not talking “crazy” things, but things that took me out of my comfort zone. I don’t think you can grow or advance if you hold back all the time. Has it all worked out like I planned? Definitely not, but I am much further along than if I hadn’t taken the risks that I have.

Looking back, I see that taking on personal challenges like traveling to remote areas around the world, climbing and mountaineering gave me the confidence to push harder in other aspects of my life. In some ways my original career became easier after taking on other challenges in my free time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Landscape or travel photography is a crowded niche so uniqueness and perspective are important factors to me when creating. I went for years (part-time) trying to understand my style. I wasn’t one to take a lot of photos as I was very particular about what and when I would create. As time went on and I developed a larger body of work certain characteristics began to appear. Today I would describe my best work as creatively composed, simple and elegant, quiet yet strong.

There are few, if any, shortcuts to working out your style. It’s not hard work, it just takes time for it to emerge. I chose to create what inspires me, which normally means I need to travel to get away from the easily accessible and familiar. That makes what I do more difficult and expensive, but that’s what helps me create the way I do and feeds my sense of adventure. I am always working with what nature gives me and against time when I travel. When you look at one of my prints I want you to not only feel like you are there, but also that what you are seeing you may never again see in that way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Prescott, AZ which lays claim to the oldest rodeo in the world. As the first official capitol of the State and a pioneering and mining history the old west flavor is still alive in the fabric of the community. Courthouse Square is bounded on one side by “Whiskey Row” with shops, art galleries and local restaurants filling in the remaining boundary. It’s a lively place and a must visit. Sharlot Hall Museum does a good job presenting local history and the Phippen Museum is known for its excellent western art. I’d then pay a visit to Watson Lake with its beautiful granite surrounding the water and hike Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain for great views and fresh air. Most of these outings would be capped by refreshments and dinner at one of a growing number of craft beer pubs (Lazy G’s, Prescott Brewing) or some grub at Colt, Bills Grill, or The Raven. The number of things to do and restaurants to experience is extensive (sorry to the many I have not named).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A good deal of my photography skill was self-taught through countless mistakes along the way, however there have been so many people that inspired me and that kept me moving forward on the path I have been cutting. Nevada Wier was an early influencer when I attended one of her workshops. Nevada is an accomplished editorial photographer that often finds herself on the back-roads just about anywhere in the world. Her sensitivities around culture, light and finding the right moment were truly inspiring along with her sense of adventure. Lewis Kemper (no relation) spent time learning his craft in Yosemite and was strongly influenced by Ansel Adams. He is responsible for the acceleration my photo editing skills as digital photography became mainstream. I could go on, but I continue to be inspired by many talented outdoor photographers, young and older, whose work I see today.

Website: https://www.kemperimagery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottkemperimagery/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scottkemperimagery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kemperimagery

Image Credits
Copyright Scott Kemper, all rights reserved.