We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Meredith Fontana a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Meredith, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I first learned photography when I was a kid. My parents put me in photography classes after school and over the summers, and my mom gave me her old Canon SLR that she used in the 70s. I absolutely loved spending time in the darkroom creating images and experimenting, but as the demands of adult life took over, I rarely picked up a camera anymore.

After a decade-long hiatus, I felt a strong desire to start photographing again. I became incredibly inspired by the natural landscapes that I spent my early career working in as a paleontologist. The beauty of those wild, remote places re-ignited a creative spark in me, and I felt compelled to capture it. The problem was that a lot had changed in the photography world since my days in the darkroom, and I had no idea how to use a digital camera.
I bought my first “real” digital camera and became absolutely obsessed with landscape photography. I taught myself modern digital photography using every resource I could get my hands on. I took online classes, read so many books, watched a ridiculous number of YouTube tutorials, and attended workshops whenever I could. I also sought out mentors along the way, which also made a huge difference. I would definitely recommend finding mentors if you want to speed up the learning process, and I wish I had found mentors sooner. They helped me see things I wouldn’t have figured out on my own. But the main way that I learned was simply practice. I can’t even count how many times I went out with my camera and failed miserably. This still happens a lot, actually.

For me, the key skill that I think was most essential was developing a growth mindset. I had to get comfortable with failing and even embarrassing myself sometimes. No matter how bad I thought my photos were or how behind I felt, I learned to believe that I could get better if I just kept trying. Whether it was posting an image I wasn’t totally confident in or struggling to get the shot I had in my head, those moments taught me more than any class ever could. Believing that your skillset isn’t fixed and creativity can be developed is crucial – otherwise, you are likely to quit.

The biggest obstacle? Honestly, I was my own worst enemy. I had this habit of holding myself back – worrying about whether I was “good enough” or comparing myself to others who seemed so far ahead of me. It’s hard to put yourself out there when you’re not sure how people will respond. But once I let go of trying to be perfect and started focusing on just enjoying the process, everything shifted.

I’ve learned that there’s no magic shortcut. It’s about showing up again and again, being willing to make mistakes, and trusting that each step (even the ugly ones) is part of getting better. It’s an ongoing journey, and I think that’s what makes it so rewarding.

Meredith, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I never imagined that I would be able to do landscape photography professionally, and my professional journey has taken many twists and turns. I spent the first decade of my career working as a paleontologist in remote areas of the Southwest, searching for and studying fossils. In 2015 I was hired to work as a paleontologist in Denver, and not long after, I bought my first professional-grade camera. I had absolutely no idea how to use it, but I was so inspired by the beauty of Colorado that I was determined to figure it out.

As a professional landscape photographer, most of my work involves creating images and teaching other photographers. I spend a significant amount of my time backpacking through and photographing remote wilderness areas in Colorado. A large part of my work also involves teaching and mentoring aspiring photographers through an online school called Nature Photography Academy. I love helping others improve their craft and develop their unique voice, especially since I know how overwhelming the learning process can feel. I also sell fine art landscape photography prints for homes and businesses.

One of the things I’m most proud of is when my students and clients tell me that I have inspired them to pick up a camera and explore the outdoors. Knowing that my work helps others feel more connected to the natural world is incredibly rewarding.

For anyone getting to know me or my work, I’d want them to know that I’m passionate about capturing the beauty of the wild and sharing it in ways that inspire. My goal has always been to create something meaningful – something that makes you pause and appreciate nature a little more.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is having the freedom to make something that feels meaningful to me. When I’m out in the field, it’s such a personal experience – slowing down and connecting with the beauty of the landscape. It’s incredibly fulfilling to capture a place that I’m genuinely passionate about.

The second most rewarding aspect of my work is the connection my work creates with others. It’s always amazing to hear when someone says my photography or my courses inspired them – whether it’s to create their own art, explore nature, or just see the world a little differently.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life was when I left my job as a paleontologist. I loved the work and it was something that I had dreamed about doing since I was a little girl.

The reason I left is because I became disillusioned with the world of academia. I felt like my desire to be creative was stifled by my work as a scientist – which mainly involved collecting data and writing technical reports. I knew I needed to pursue a more creative career and photography was my medium of choice.

Leaving behind a career that I went to graduate school for was terrifying. It felt like a huge risk, especially since I had no idea what I was doing. I had to start from scratch. Not only did I have to learn the technical side of photography to an extremely high degree, but I also had to figure out how to make a living from my art. Ultimately, the pivot I made turned out to be one of the most challenging yet best decisions of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: meredithfontanaphotography.com
• Instagram: @meredith_fontana
• Facebook: Meredith Fontana Photography – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561881636872
• Other: https://www.skool.com/lpa/about

Image Credits

Tim Gillies
Meredith Fontana