Welcome to The Clarkin Collection, and thank you for exploring my eight years of landscape photography. The question is often asked, what inspired me to get involved in landscape photography. Surprisingly, it wasn't a passion for photography itself at first, but rather a desire to share and communicate the spiritual and awe-inspiring scenes I encountered throughout my travels.

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Growing up, I spent a great deal of time in the mountains and lakes, of the Adirondacks, in upstate New York and while New York City is one of the most beautiful cities, those less familiar with the state wouldn’t realize the spectacular settings the Adirondacks and upper regions of New York have to offer. This exposure, combined with a deep sense of adventure, likely spurred the desire for capturing such remarkable scenery.

Pinpointing when the intrest in landscape photography truly began is difficult, but one clear memory stands out. During a high school trip across Europe visiting many of the major historical landmarks and only yielding, roughly, 100 images of the Swiss Alps, was likely a good indicator. The look on my Father's face as he quickly sifted through so many pictures, with almost no variation from one to the next, said it all. Apparently, I failed to realize that once you've seen two or three glacier shots, the other 97 don't exactly come across as unique. That moment made me realize the imptance of variety and story telling in photography.

While some shots were the result of intense planning, challenging hikes and tremendous patience, others came down to being in the right place at the right time. More often than not, I'd spend 4 to 7 days at a location waiting for the optimal weather conditions and extraordinary lighting we all chase, in hopes of capturing that perfect shot. 

When I reflect on earlier travels to - Europe, the Swiss Alps, and Bali, Indonesia - I sometimes regret not having the appropriate equipment to have captured such amazing scenery in the way it deserved. Fortunately, many places are worth revisiting and some scenes demand multiple attempts before feeling truly satisfied with the results. 

Among all the incredible locations I’ve had the fortune to explore, I’ve found the majestic and iconic landscapes of the Western U.S., Hawaii and Canadian Rockies to be virtually unparalleled. The landscape diversity you find in these regions is truly unlike anywhere in the world and while Upstate New York offers some magnificent landscapes, of it's own, it wasn’t until a move out west that the true inspiration for capturing such compelling imagery evolved.

I invite you to browse through the collection - a reflection of some of the breathtaking places I’ve had the fortune to experience and capture over the years.

Chad M. Clarkin