While road tripping down the Pacific Coast Highway, just north of Santa Cruz, CA, I asked Kristin Riegel if she would be open modeling for a spec shoot for Blundstone while we stopped at Sharkfin Cove for sunset. She looked at me with a smile, “I’m ugly right now, but of course I will.” For the past three years, Kristin has always been there for me and the building of my career. For this, I am forever grateful ❤️

For a couple of years I was the go to photographer for water bottle companies. While you can say what you want about photographing outdoor lifestyle campaigns around water bottles, it was rad. Right now, I am smiling as I look through my archive at the countless photoshoots I did for brands like MiiR and Klean Kanteen but something is off!

Before the sun rose, we had our shorts on, bags packed, and towels slung over our shoulder. Andrew has the behemoth Muse Roamer that allows for a very plush life on the road, meanwhile I have modest comforts with a converted van. So, I crawled out of the van and headed into the heated Muse Roamer to enjoy coffee to wait for the best lighting.

Getting a start as a creative is no easy task, especially when you don’t have a clue as to what you want to do, create, or, most importantly, enjoy. As a kid, I always thought I would be an author, which I became about a month ago with my first book, but the idea of “becoming a photographer” never crossed my mind. Becoming a filmmaker was not something I ever talked about with my family growing up, but my first documentary won a few awards at film festivals last year. So, what the heck did I do as a kid?

Consistency is not frequency, yet many creatives think these words are synonymous. Heck, I used to think this was the case until a few years ago, which lead to me leaving all social media platforms for about 2.5 years, but that is a story for another time. To debunk the consistency vs frequency argument, I’m starting with the fundamentals…

Here are 16 tips for budding photographers looking for quick advice on getting started in the career of adventure photography. After 10 years in the career, adventure photographer Dalton Johnson shares his experience to becoming the go to content partner for brands with adventurous clients.

Photographing Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park is an overcrowded tourist experience I pretty much never pass up. While I have been to this spot roughly 20 times, each stop is different, so I always bring my camera. With its sweeping views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, and Clouds Rest, this spot is a favorite among landscape photographers. Equipped with a Sony A7R IV and a Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lens, you can make the most of this location's photographic potential.​

At the end of 2016, I dropped out of the teaching program I was in and moved into a car to pursue a career of storytelling. I always wanted to tell stories via writing, but I couldn't figure out the economic model, so I pursued storytelling with a camera.

Tucked away along the Oak Creek in Sedona, AZ is L’Auberge de Sedona. This four star resort should be on everyone’s bucket “must-stay” list if you are looking for luxurious stays. If you are a Sunday brunch kind of human, well, they also have the best Sunday brunch in town. But, good luck getting a room, this spot is almost always booked out, so get on your reservations now.

As a kid, I dreamed of visiting all seven continents. I’m proud to say, after this trip to Egypt, my 12 year-old-self would greet me with a smile and say, “Good job, Dalton, you did it. Now, were else else are we going to go? You’re only 31.” Laughing to myself as I write this, I understand my younger self was never satisfied. I’m still kind of like that, but, for now, it’s time to sit back and process this privilege I’ve been blessed to enjoy.

From 2016 to 2022, my focus was strictly on adventure content. I chased swells towering 50 feet above my head as I snapped images from the water, dangled from ropes 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley’s floor, and all the things in between that stroke an adventurer’s ego.

Tucked away in Halibut Cove, Alaska is a hidden series of cabins with waterfront views belonging to a two key Michelin adventure lodge; Stillpoint Lodge. Getting there might spike your cortisol levels if you are not keen on boat rides or plane flights, but once you’re standing on your front porch staring out at the water, all your stress will fade away.

For two months, the Peak Design Outdoor 45L Pack sat on my shelf. Its design intimidated me: no traditional clips, a roll-top, and an array of dangling cords. I’ve packed hundreds of bags, but I couldn’t figure out where to start with this one. I shelved it for "later," waiting for the right opportunity. That opportunity finally arrived. I was heading to Loreto, Baja California Sur, for a quick trip to photograph whales. Carry-on only, no room for error.

When I drove to Alaska with my dad and later returned with my girlfriend Kristin, one thing remained constant: the Tamron 150-500mm lens was always attached to my camera. If there’s one thing you learn quickly on a road trip to Alaska, it’s that wildlife can appear at any moment. Whether it’s a bear lumbering along the roadside, an eagle soaring overhead, or a moose grazing in a meadow, you’re constantly surrounded by incredible opportunities for wildlife photography. Having the Tamron 150-500mm on my camera ensured I was always ready to capture those fleeting moments, no matter when or where they happened.

My passion for stargazing started on a 30-day backpacking trip with friends through Escalante National Monument. Each night, after long days of hiking through the desert, we’d pull out a night sky book and try to identify new stars and constellations. Lying in our sleeping bags, we watched the stars slowly move across the sky, talking and pondering the vastness of space. Those late nights sparked my love for the night sky that has stayed with me for over a decade. Since then, stargazing has become a way for me to connect with nature, friends, and the immense beauty of the universe.

Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park is a photographer's paradise, offering breathtaking vistas that beckon camera enthusiasts from around the world. However, the eternal debate among photographers remains: sunrise or sunset at Glacier Point? 

Both options have their unique charm, and the choice depends on your photography goals and style. In this blog, we'll explore the merits of both sunrise and sunset photography at Glacier Point to help you make an informed decision.

As passionate photography enthusiasts, we had delved into the works of modern greats who had immortalized Yosemite's breathtaking vistas. However, we aimed to add our own unique twist to this iconic location. Surveying our array of gear and props, we hatched an ambitious plan: to capture a skateboarding photograph careening down the serpentine road leading to Glacier Point. Join us on this journey as we blend the adrenaline of skateboarding with the tranquil majesty of Glacier Point's sunrise, creating a photographic masterpiece of our own.

Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Among its many renowned viewpoints, Tunnel View stands out as one of the most awe-inspiring locations to take in the park's grandeur.