Ahahaha! I love how you included the 'cliff notes' tag after I geeked out about cameras! 🤣 Honestly though, thank you SO much for this opportunity. I had a blast!!
I actually really appreciated that you expanded SO much and then had the forethought to also include the cliff note part. I think there's a lot of value in learning how to just take better photos with your cell phone or a basic camera as well. Photography is an expensive craft...it's one of the reasons I've never explored it further than my phone.
I have so much respect for all that goes into professional work!
Oh wow, Gwen! Thank you! Honestly, I wasn't sure how this would be received considering it's my first interview. So I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it enough to call it epic! 😁
Eric's photos are glorious. If I had a magic wand (or, just, a lot more money) I would transport him to the coast to see the giant sequoias because they need him: it's incredibly hard to take a good pic of a tree THAT big, but I believe he's the guy.
Indeed! I would LOVE to pack up and do one of his wilderness sessions with him, just to see things how he sees them. Also, I want to see your giant Sequoias!!
Funny what you miss when you no longer have it. I remember when I lived in BC for a couple years. Their rainforest type parks are gorgeous!! Gigantic trees covered in moss made it look like such a fantasy land. We have plenty of forests in Alberta but none quite as stunning as BC greenery!
They're astounding. I was lucky to see them as a very little girl -- and it's always amazing to me that I can still go visit those very same trees, to whom my 70 years are just a narrow collection of their outermost rings.
Those trees obviously aren't native to the southeast US, but my neighbor actually has one growing in front of his house! He was a botany professor with the University of Georgia. This one is only the size of a regular pine tree, but still very striking!
I don't think so but is he on FB. There is guy on there that does same thing. I need to look him up. I do need to subscribe to his page. Love it. My neck of the woods.
That's cool! I've connected with a few others from this region. It's a wild thought to see a digital persona, but also know that they're really out there in the world not far away!
Haha! Kristi's questions were both insightful and fun! I enjoyed coming up with the answers.
The good side of having a career separate from photography is that I get to do what I enjoy and not worry about fulfilling what a client wants. There are up sides to everything!
Right you are, Erik. Same with writing. That is why I stay away from the social media / Notes side of Substack. I don't want to be led astray and caught up in numbers. Art is not about that, is it? I am with you, and I have to say again that I find your photos are absolutely remarkable!
Kristi, this is a beautiful interview....almost as colorful as Erik's photos! Thank you for sharing this with us.
There's a photographer in Prescott, AZ (where I live half the year) named Bob Larson. Some of his work reminds me of what Erik is doing. Erik might enjoy enjoy looking at his website. It has taken Bob some time to gain traction...he now has. Maybe they could connect....who knows! https://boblarsonphotography.zenfolio.com/about.html
Thank you Kristi and Erik. Wow the images you share here are amazing! I live in the mountains and there are a few local nature photographers here who are excellent and l, all this time enjoying their work, I never thought of the sleep part of the job! The danger of needing to sleep and how real that is. I appreciate you sharing the nuts and bolts of getting it done.
Erik is a true class act and someone I've had the pleasure of knowing personally for several years now. Kristi, you captured who he is perfectly and honestly. His work is amazing and I see it getting the recognition it deserves. My husband and I will go places and say "I bet Erik's work will be here one day." Such a great write-up!
Natalie! I'm thrilled to hear that Erik has fans/friends as great as you sound. I've really appreciated his work since the first time I find him. Thank you for reading and giving your stamp of approval 😊
Great interview!
Ahahaha! I love how you included the 'cliff notes' tag after I geeked out about cameras! 🤣 Honestly though, thank you SO much for this opportunity. I had a blast!!
Lol well I had to be inclusive of all the people like me who glaze over as soon as I see numbers associated with cameras. 🤣
But seriously, there is a LOT to know about taking pictures! I suppose that's why we're not all photographers.
I just wanted to answer the question with anything more than 'it depends!' 😆
I actually really appreciated that you expanded SO much and then had the forethought to also include the cliff note part. I think there's a lot of value in learning how to just take better photos with your cell phone or a basic camera as well. Photography is an expensive craft...it's one of the reasons I've never explored it further than my phone.
I have so much respect for all that goes into professional work!
Two words: absolutely. Epic. Both Erik’s work and this delightful interview 😍☕️🌋🌄📸 thank you both for sharing this!!
Oh wow, Gwen! Thank you! Honestly, I wasn't sure how this would be received considering it's my first interview. So I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it enough to call it epic! 😁
Wow, epic?! I'm blown away! Thanks! 🙏
Eric's photos are glorious. If I had a magic wand (or, just, a lot more money) I would transport him to the coast to see the giant sequoias because they need him: it's incredibly hard to take a good pic of a tree THAT big, but I believe he's the guy.
Indeed! I would LOVE to pack up and do one of his wilderness sessions with him, just to see things how he sees them. Also, I want to see your giant Sequoias!!
I miss them since moving to Idaho -- they're strictly a California Sierra Nevada thing.
Funny what you miss when you no longer have it. I remember when I lived in BC for a couple years. Their rainforest type parks are gorgeous!! Gigantic trees covered in moss made it look like such a fantasy land. We have plenty of forests in Alberta but none quite as stunning as BC greenery!
So true. No redwoods or eucalyptus here in Idaho. But it has its own charms!
They USED to come up all the way to BC and beyond, but not since different environmental events cut their range.
I haven't seen the sequoias in person! One day!!!
They're astounding. I was lucky to see them as a very little girl -- and it's always amazing to me that I can still go visit those very same trees, to whom my 70 years are just a narrow collection of their outermost rings.
Those trees obviously aren't native to the southeast US, but my neighbor actually has one growing in front of his house! He was a botany professor with the University of Georgia. This one is only the size of a regular pine tree, but still very striking!
Wow! I didn't know there were any growing outside their native range. Cool.
He is from my neck of the woods. Lol
That's awesome Jean. Do you subscribe to his Substack?
I don't think so but is he on FB. There is guy on there that does same thing. I need to look him up. I do need to subscribe to his page. Love it. My neck of the woods.
That's cool! I've connected with a few others from this region. It's a wild thought to see a digital persona, but also know that they're really out there in the world not far away!
Phenomenal photos. That he can't make a living through his art is tragic. Good questions, Kristi! I enjoyed this so much.
I'm glad you enjoyed! I tried to come up with UNcommon questions...I don't do boring lol.
Haha! Kristi's questions were both insightful and fun! I enjoyed coming up with the answers.
The good side of having a career separate from photography is that I get to do what I enjoy and not worry about fulfilling what a client wants. There are up sides to everything!
Right you are, Erik. Same with writing. That is why I stay away from the social media / Notes side of Substack. I don't want to be led astray and caught up in numbers. Art is not about that, is it? I am with you, and I have to say again that I find your photos are absolutely remarkable!
That really means a lot, Sharron! Thank you!
Kristi, this is a beautiful interview....almost as colorful as Erik's photos! Thank you for sharing this with us.
There's a photographer in Prescott, AZ (where I live half the year) named Bob Larson. Some of his work reminds me of what Erik is doing. Erik might enjoy enjoy looking at his website. It has taken Bob some time to gain traction...he now has. Maybe they could connect....who knows! https://boblarsonphotography.zenfolio.com/about.html
I'm so glad you enjoyed Heather! And thank you for the link to Bob Larson. I'll give Erik a heads up and see if he knows of him.
I'm not familiar with Bob, but I'm checking out his work now! Thank you for the recommendation!
I admire both your work and your pursuit of beauty.
I loved your questions!
Hahaha thank you! I just couldn't do the, "So tell me about yourself." I know Erik can be a goof at times so I needed to make him get creative!
Haha! You succeeded! Great questions! 😆
Thank you Kristi and Erik. Wow the images you share here are amazing! I live in the mountains and there are a few local nature photographers here who are excellent and l, all this time enjoying their work, I never thought of the sleep part of the job! The danger of needing to sleep and how real that is. I appreciate you sharing the nuts and bolts of getting it done.
It is all very challenging, but there's honestly a part of me that wouldn't be interested if it wasn't.
Wonderful interview. Beautiful pics. ❤️❤️❤️
The thanks all goes to Kristi for hosting this and coming up with the questions! 🙏
Erik is a true class act and someone I've had the pleasure of knowing personally for several years now. Kristi, you captured who he is perfectly and honestly. His work is amazing and I see it getting the recognition it deserves. My husband and I will go places and say "I bet Erik's work will be here one day." Such a great write-up!
Natalie! I'm thrilled to hear that Erik has fans/friends as great as you sound. I've really appreciated his work since the first time I find him. Thank you for reading and giving your stamp of approval 😊