What is Environmental Analog Photography?
I’m often asked “Why do you shoot with film?” and “What does ‘Environmental Analog Photography’ mean?”
Whether you have been to a certain place or you’re only dreaming of it, my work aims to take you away and bring you back to yourself.
I started Meander to document my winding journey and share the West with you through the lens of my film camera.
“Environmental Analog Photography” is the vision I hold for my work that goes beyond typical landscape photography prints.
I’m excited to share my vision for artwork that elevates your space and inspires heartfelt emotion.
Double exposure portrait of Kristen holding her Pentax 67II, shot on the Pentax K1000 using Kodak Portra 400 film in Colorado. This portrait comes from the same roll as these pieces:
Head in the Clouds, 18×24 print
Levity, 18×24 print
Fireworks, 12×16 print
It’s about embracing the unmatched beauty of film with a fresh perspective and creating a sense of belonging and connection.
My approach involves transmuting qualities that would traditionally be considered “mistakes” or throwaway shots – treasuring shots with light leaks and double exposures that feel like a dream. I prefer warm grain over pixels, and favor bright ideas over tech specs and the latest gear.
When I say “All Film, No Filters” I really mean it.
The prints you see contain very minimal edits. The composition, multiple exposure overlays, and light leaks were created where I stood; in camera and on location. I’ve been actively developing my vision and voice as an artist over the past decade through tons of practice, experimentation, and trial and error, and I hope the journey never ends.
Kristen taking a selfie with her Pentax 67II in Joshua Tree just after sunrise, scoping out the shot for Play On, 20×24 print
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by Earth and big picture thinking. The power of geologic process captured my heart and I earned a degree in Geology. I loved studying rock formations through both microscopes and field work, learning to interpret the messages from an ancient time. The Earth lives on a timescale I can’t comprehend. I’m grateful to witness the magnitude of its beauty through travel and then to share my experience and vision through fine art prints.
The tangible and mechanical process of film photography allows me to focus on slowing down and intuitively approach soaking in the moment. Choosing film stock based on the time of day, what the light looks like, and how I want to share the story. Physically loading the film and turning knobs to dial in settings. Using a timeless camera that has seen decades of memories beyond my own. Taking longer to observe the personality of a location, to find and frame the perfect shot.
Working with film in this way grants me more precious time to experience the world while eliminating time spent behind a computer screen sifting through rapid-fire shots that demand a lengthy edit process, like you might with shooting digitally.
Each time I press the shutter button, I hold the intention of allowing a collaboration with my surroundings and tools. I love experimenting and inviting magical results. Because of this, I’m often stunned by the one-of-a-kind result that appears after developing the negatives. It’s a welcome practice in patience and the pieces that emerge can be abstract and mind-bending like something you’ve never seen before.
Kristen photographing with her Pentax K1000 on a windy day at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, CA.
Environmental Analog Photography is all about bringing fleeting moments from the West to you.
It’s the conscious process of crafting a unique piece that inspires a sense of love and nostalgia for one of your favorite places, or maybe for somewhere you haven’t been yet.
