A Conversation with Photographer Lance Wilson
Lance Wilson is a photographer based in the Central Coast of California. In this interview with Worthwhile Magazine Co-Editor Sarah Reeder, Lance shares his creative inspirations and journey as an artist.
Lance Wilson, “Flaming Gorge,” photography courtesy of and copyright Lance Wilson
The Conversation:
Worthwhile Magazine (WM): Lance, thank you so much for speaking with us! To start off, what initiated your journey to becoming a photographer?
Lance Wilson (LW): Thank you so much for having me! My journey with photography really began just at the start of the pandemic, when the world first shut down. My dad has been an avid wildlife and landscape photographer his whole life, but up until that point, I never took a particular interest in it. At that moment, I remember just feeling really bored and lonely. I needed some way to express myself, and my dad picked up on that. We started going out early in the morning and photographing anything we could find; sunrises, birds, waves, you name it.
Photography gave me this sense of excitement I had really been lacking, and I quickly got hooked. So although the pandemic was horrible in so many ways, it was really a blessing in disguise for me. Without it, I doubt I would have taken an interest in photography at all, so I’m really thankful things lined up the way they did.
WM: Many of your photographs engage with the natural world as their subject. What does nature mean to you, and what do you hope to communicate about it in your photographs?
LW: To me, nature means disconnecting from the chaos of the modern world, connecting with our roots, and embracing our planet’s beauty. The world today is incredibly busy, and our phones and computers have only exacerbated that problem. By unplugging and experiencing the wonder our world has to offer, you can have amazing experiences that most people take for granted. In my photographs, my main goal is to communicate the sheer beauty our planet holds and that it is worth protecting. So many people today are so far removed from the outdoors either because it isn’t easily accessible to them or because they simply aren't interested in exploring it. The outdoors has significantly improved my life, and I want to inspire others to start enjoying it.
“By unplugging and experiencing the wonder our world has to offer, you can have amazing experiences that most people take for granted. In my photographs, my main goal is to communicate the sheer beauty our planet holds and that it is worth protecting. ”
WM: We’d love to know the story behind the creation of your film “Land of the Redwoods.” The video medium is a powerful expansion of your portfolio and for the viewers it feels like walking straight into one of your photographs! Do you plan to create additional films in the future?
LW: I absolutely do plan on creating more films! “Lands of the Redwoods” was shot this past summer in the beautiful forests of Northern California, specifically Redwood National Park. I had wanted to attempt a video project for quite some time but found it quite daunting. With a week up in the Redwoods, I figured it would be a great place to experiment. Depicting the scale of those forests is really quite a challenge in a two-dimensional format, and I found that video really helped to give a more realistic view of the area. Stepping into the world of cinematography has been quite intimidating and humbling, but it’s something I’m very passionate about and excited to work with in the future. At the moment, I’ve got many different ideas floating around, but I’m thinking a night sky film might be my next big video endeavor.
WM: I’m intrigued by your abstract series and welcome learning more about the inspiration behind this new body of work.
LW: As a landscape photographer, I feel like I’m too often focusing on a very specific shot. Typically that is a wide angle landscape with some grand feature, topped off with beautiful golden hour light or the Milky Way. I love capturing those kinds of images, but at the same time, they can severely limit my ability to come away with something I’m happy with. Conditions have to be just right, and it makes it, so I never shoot an image mid-day. My goal with the abstract series is to try and set aside that very narrow mindset and focus on smaller details. Finding patterns in ice, rocks, and bark is really enjoyable. The best part is I can shoot those kinds of images any time of day! It's also allowed me to stay more in the moment and work creatively and spontaneously. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find something interesting, but that’s half the fun.
Lance Wilson, “Ice Patterns,” photography courtesy of and copyright Lance Wilson
WM: You are involved in a number of environmental advocacy roles including volunteering your skills as Social Media Manager of the San Luis Obispo Surfrider Chapter. (For our readers who may not know, the Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches). Do you see your photography and using your artistic eye to reveal the beauty of nature to others as a type of love letter to help protect the Earth?
LW: Absolutely. Before I picked up a camera I was always fascinated by the Earth; I remember obsessively thumbing through Nature Encyclopedias in the second grade and trying to identify every insect or amphibian I came across. I’ve always felt extremely connected to the outdoors and it's a feeling that has only grown since. By showing the beauty of our planet, I hope I can convince people that these places are special and that they are worth fighting to protect.
“By showing the beauty of our planet, I hope I can convince people that these places are special, and that they are worth fighting to protect.”
WM: At the time of this interview, you have accomplished a great deal at the age of 15. Asking this as someone who has previously received surprised reactions myself about what I’ve done in the context of my perceived age, does this cultural focus on age annoy you? What would you like to say to people who focus on age versus aptitude? And do you have any insights or encouragement for other artists in your generation to encourage them to stretch in their own artistic journey?
LW: In all honesty, I think my age is really kind of a double-edged sword. It certainly gives me an advantage and helps me to stand out amongst other photographers, and that is something I am grateful for. But at the same time, I don’t just want to be recognized because of my age. I want my art to speak for itself. Some people have said things along the lines of “wow, your work is so good for a 15-year-old,” and while I appreciate it, I want my photos to be good enough to transcend any preconceived notions and stand out amongst photos taken by people of all ages. But I also know that my age has created unique opportunities for me, and it's something that I take advantage of. So really, I have mixed feelings about it all, but overall I’m really grateful for the opportunities that my age has given me.
WM: On this theme, you are the Curator of the Youth Photographers Syndicate. Can you tell us some more about this organization?
LW: Absolutely! The Youth Photographers Syndicate is a project I’m constantly working on and expanding, and at the moment, it's a social group for young photographers. We’ve got members from around the world and have all kinds of discussions in our Discord Server, from editing tips to gear advice, to image critique and beyond! My primary goal with the group is to try and create a place for young photographers to network and socialize and to spotlight underrated artists while we’re at it. I plan on starting to really develop the project more in the next few months, and we’re always looking for new members.
WM: I’m curious how it feels when you are out in the field — does it ever feel like being in collaboration with nature? Is there an intuitive sense of when the right moment comes to take a photograph?
LW: Oh man, it really depends on the day, honestly. I’ve gone through some of my happiest moments and the five stages of grief while behind the camera. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions from frustration when a plan falls short to elation at a magical and unexpected experience. It certainly feels like being in collaboration with nature for a broad range of reasons. A lot of days, you’re just waiting for Mother Nature to pull through with whatever it is you’re looking for; a fiery sunset, low fog, perfect waves, what have you. Even though nine times out of ten, things don’t line up and you go home empty-handed, that single experience makes it all worth it.
The feelings of excitement when it all falls together are euphoric and some of the happiest moments I've ever experienced. So yes, in that sense, it absolutely feels like collaborating with nature. I’ve often found myself staring up at the sky and pleading for a gap in the clouds for the sun to poke through, and although I look like a psychopath to any onlookers, there's a sense of connection I get with the earth itself when chasing these conditions that feel quite special. But I think the deepest sense of collaboration with nature that you can get while shooting is definitely on backpacking trips. Having to trek in to get a shot really adds so much value to it in my mind and creates a stronger tie between you and the landscape. This has been something I’ve discovered quite recently, and am excited to explore more in the near future through a variety of trips in Big Sur and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
As far as when the “right moment” comes, it really depends on what I’m shooting. If it’s something brief like a colorful sunset, then yes, I tend to have a pretty good feel for when the special moment happens. But when I’m photographing a subject for a much longer period of time, I often don’t really recognize when I’ve gotten “the shot.” Oftentimes I’ll get home and find that the photo I had the least investment in turns out to be my favorite. So it can really vary depending on the scenario.
Lance Wilson, “Redwood Glow,” photography courtesy of and copyright Lance Wilson
WM: What cameras and tools are your favorite pieces of photographic equipment? Are there logistical challenges taking it all out into the field?
LW: I shoot all of my images with one camera; the Canon R5. The 45-megapixel sensor allows for massive prints and the ability to tightly crop images, which gives me a lot of flexibility. As far as lenses go, I really only shoot with three. First off, the Canon 100-500 mm which allows me to get a lot tighter shots. Secondly, there’s the Sigma Art 20 mm f/1.4 lens which I use for wide-angle landscapes. And third, there’s the Sigma Art 28 mm f/1.4 lens, which I use almost exclusively for night photography because of its incredible sharpness. I also use a star tracking device for my night images, which allows for very long exposures without any blurry stars. It works fantastically but weighs a ton which can prove quite the challenge for longer excursions. I almost always overpack my bag and end up weighed down quite a bit, but it’s always worth it to get “the shot.”
WM: Do you have any suggestions for readers who are interested in starting to take photographs or create art in nature but feel intimidated about how to start?
LW: I’ve got two main tips. First off, find a photographer you look up to. Study them carefully, and try to pay attention to what they do both in the field and in Photoshop that makes their images unique. Try and replicate their style as best you can, and go from there. It should be noted that when I say replicate, I don’t mean taking the exact same photos as them, but rather using their compositional and editorial approach to your photos. Once you’ve done this for a bit, you can grow into your own style and find what you really like.
The second tip is to shoot as much as you possibly can. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, what the lighting is like, etc. Just take as many photos as frequently as you can. Why? Because by broadening like that, you may discover a subject that you didn’t know interested you. Take me, for example; I started out shooting strictly wildlife and surfing photos. But by experimenting, I found my true favorite subject, landscapes. Feeling intimidated is normal, and now more than ever. People see so many incredible photographers on social media and are disappointed when their photos don’t look similar, but they fail to realize one crucial thing. That photographer started out at the same level as them and spent years upon years coming into their own style, learning their camera, and improving their editing techniques.
Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the process!
Lance Wilson, “Clearing Winter Storm,” photography courtesy of and copyright Lance Wilson
WM: Do you have any dream projects in mind for the future?
LW: Gosh, I think I could write an entire article about my project ideas. Some main ideas I have include trekking through the Patagonian Fjords, exploring the remote Alaskan wilderness, and photographing day-to-day life in the Himalayas. I’ve got countless dream projects that I hope to realize in the future, but for now, I’ve got some smaller-scale projects that I’ll be working on over the next few years. These include photographing untouched areas of the Big Sur Mountains, photographing and documenting the spectacularly dark skies of the High Sierra, and exploring the Northern California Coast.
WM: How can our readers see more of your photographs and purchase prints?
LW: To see more of my photos, you can check out my website, lancewilson.com. I also post frequently on my Instagram, @lancewilsonphotography. If you want to purchase prints, they’re available at lancewilson.darkroom.com. If you want an image that is not in the print shop, contact me, and I’ll help you out. Again, thank you so much for having me!
We extend our deepest gratitude to Lance Wilson for graciously sharing his insights with our readers! You can learn more about Lance at https://www.lancewilson.com/
© Worthwhile Magazine 2023