Today we’d like to introduce you to Hunter Page.
Hunter, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first picked up the camera when I was in 11th grade. Since that moment of a bird flying out of a tree, I have become hooked. I sold my video camera, a VX1000, as myself and my friends were quite serious skateboarders.
Once I bought a camera, I mainly used it to photograph skateboarding on the streets of Salt Lake City, Utah. Apart from the streets, I photographed natural landscapes in the Wasatch Mountains, usually during long and strenuous hikes with friends.
After a while, I decided to become a better artist. I read books and watched videos to broaden my knowledge base, year after year. I became a landscape photography guide/instructor, working under a great guy named Seth Hamel, who owns Enlighten Photography Excursions. This changed everything because I loved it so deeply.
I began guiding and getting out of my comfort zone. I became a backpacking guide, leading groups into the vast wilderness of Glacier National Park, Montana. This was a stressful and work-intensive job. I learned a lot about myself, which ultimately made me more confident and resilient.
I moved back to Southern Utah, outside of Capitol Reef National Park. I noticed a gap in the guiding industry here and I started Capitol Reef Photography Tours. The sole photography guide around. I have loved this landscape, beyond words, and have made dozens of trips to this area and now, I live here and guide here full time. Because of all of my experience, I was able to make an educated and professional decision to leap to start this pursuit. I am operating daily photography tours and seasonal workshops.
The backbone of this operation is based on doing what I love, that I am passionate about, and that I am good at. As well as giving a great learning experience for every participant and student. I will take your current base of knowledge and build upon it during each trip, so in return, you leave a better and more well-rounded photographer.
Each student has given 5-star reviews because of this and I guarantee you all have a great time!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was not a smooth and easy transition at all. I attempted to get into product photography for years. I made some money and it was a good step in the right direction. I kept at the craft and eventually landed a job teaching landscape photography, my main passion, in Zion National Park with my friend Seth Hamel, who owns Enlighten Photography Excursions.
Before that, though, I spent all of my free time photographing and learning. I wanted to become a full-time photographer, which is extremely bad. But, in all honesty, I was not good enough. I didn’t have my unique style or the confidence to do so. It wasn’t until six or so years later that I would leap to become full-time.
I am grateful to not have become a full-time photographer early on. It would have stunted my growth, my art, and my confidence.
When I started the guiding job in Zion, this began a life change. I lived in a trailer on BLM land from early spring through late fall. It was brutal. Extremely hot days, no internet, no running water, showers, etc etc. But I was dedicated. At the end of the season, I moved and continued to become a better version of myself.
I began guiding and getting out of my comfort zone. I became a backpacking guide, leading groups into the vast wilderness of Glacier National Park, Montana. This was a stressful and work-intensive job. I learned a lot about myself, which ultimately made me more confident and resilient.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Through years of guiding, many more years of photographing, getting out of my comfort zone, etc., I slowly morphed into the person I am today. I am, without sounding pretentious, a good-hearted, loving person who enjoys interacting with new people!
I am a great teacher and instructor, one who can explain complex thoughts and feelings to a swath of unique personalities. I also know that I am not the best at anything, so I am humble about my skill set and knowledge. I do not create conflict; I solve it. Overall, I am a good person who knows I can be better and that is something I am constantly working toward.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
For a podcast, I enjoy Joe Rogan. He gets a bad rep from the mass media, though; he is a free-thinker, not controlled, and therefore has very interesting guests who speak their minds. This podcast has helped me become a more empathic individual, seeing more than my, own or one side of a conversation.
Here are a couple of great books.
- Guy Tal: More Than a Rock. This is about photography, but even more so about philosophy and the love of the earth.
- Eckhart Tolle: A New Earth. This will change your life.
- Paulo Coelho: The Alchemist
Adventure:
- Buddy Levy: Labyrinth of Ice
- W.L Rusho: Everett Ruess
Pricing:
- $249.99 Astro/Night
- $950.00 Full-Day Private
- $249.99 Slot Canyons & more
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hunterpagephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterpagephotography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapitolReefPhotographyTours
