I'm an analog nature photographer.
I shoot (almost) entirely on film. It's a medium that was nearly extinct, but is now making a resurgence that I'm very excited to be a part of.
Photographing nature and wildlife on film presents interesting but extremely fun challenges. This site is a showcase of my analog work, including my 35mm and medium format portfolio, 16mm films, and a journal dedicated to diving into the process behind capturing nature on celluloid.
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Shooting 16mm motion picture film in Saint John
About Ross
I've loved nature and wildlife for as long as I can remember. If I really think about it - it's either from the many animal books my mom read to me as a child, or the countless hours I spent catching Pokémon.
My actual photography journey started in college while I was studying engineering. I remember walking around campus filming squirrels, birds, and insects on my iPhone. The squirrels were practically tame from being around so many people, so with enough patience, you could get sort of close.
But it was still a very involved process. I’d sit and watch them, learning which squirrels lived in which trees. I’d try to anticipate when one would run up a tree and then I'd place my phone at the base, hoping for perfect timing and the right angle. (That's right - I didn’t have many friends freshman year.)
Eventually, I got a “real” camera and started collecting the latest and greatest digital gear. I learned everything I could about nature and wildlife photography, and the engineer in me was especially drawn to camera trapping, where remote cameras are set up in the wilderness to capture elusive and nocturnal species.
Setting up a camera trap on a fallen tree in Georgia
Over time, taking photos of squirrels became easy - almost too easy. I was getting better images with fancier gear, but I felt like I was drifting away from the original feeling I had. For me personally, with my new autofocus and autoexposure systems, I couldn't shake the thought that my camera was doing all of the work.
(TRIGGER WARNING: I'm about to talk about why I shoot on film)
Around that time, my girlfriend (now wife!) had been using an old 35mm film camera on the trips we went on. I loved the colors and grain that those photos had. There was just a different feeling to them, which resonated with me greater than my digital photos, in that I'd find myself thinking about the images days later. Film seemed to be the most epic medium for recording memories of time. But, on the other hand, everything I’d learned about becoming a better nature photographer said digital was the only way forward—more gear, more features.
One day, I decided to start experimenting with the 35mm format myself. I instantly fell in love with it. It brought back the original joy I felt from the photographic process, in an entirely new way. I learned how to meter light, focus manually, and most importantly - be intentional with each frame. My photography strategy up until this point - the "spray and pray" - was no longer possible. I only had 36 frames, and each one counted. This process made me a better photographer, and it kept me coming back to the art. I spent less time editing on a screen and more time out in the wild, making the real photographs. Today, 99% of my photographs are shot on film. 1% are the squirrels I still try to get on my iPhone.
Please enjoy my portfolio on this website. I'm continuing to work on fun new analog nature projects, including some 16mm motion picture films. You can stay up to date with my work by joining my monthly newsletter, or on social media (links below). If you wish to support me, you can do so through my Print Store or on Patreon.
Awards & Achievements
SNAP Suwanee - 2024
Winner, Best Wildlife Photo - Suwanee Creek Bandit
Bird Photographer of the Year - 2024
Finalist - Pelican's Gaze
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