We recently connected with Daniel Forster and have shared our conversation below.

Daniel, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From an early age, I felt drawn to creativity, but for many years it remained just a whisper in the back of my mind. Life had steered me along a different path – I spent years in IT consulting, focused on the corporate world. But that creative drive never really went away.

It wasn’t until about seven or eight years ago that everything aligned in a way that let me seriously explore that creative side again. I started simply, just using my phone to capture beautiful sunsets or landscapes covered in fresh snow. These weren’t artistic shots at first – they were just my way of remembering these moments and sharing them with others. But there was something special about capturing these scenes that really resonated with me.

The turning point came when I finally bought my first real camera six years ago. At that time, I didn’t have grand plans of becoming a professional photographer – I just knew I had this deep drive to create, and photography felt right in a way other creative mediums never had. I’d tried various creative outlets before – woodworking, for instance – but I was allergic to dust and working in a dark garage wasn’t ideal. Writing had always been my worst subject in school, and I couldn’t draw anything beyond stick figures.

But with photography, something clicked. Living in Colorado provided endless inspiration – from the plains to the big cities to the jagged peaks of the San Juan mountains. I could see Pikes Peak right from my balcony, and every sunset felt like an invitation to create. When people started asking if they could buy prints of my work, it opened my eyes to the possibility that this could be more than just a hobby.

What really sealed it for me was seeing how my work affected others. When someone would tell me that one of my photos brought them to tears of joy or helped them connect with nature in a new way, it touched me profoundly. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just about taking pretty pictures – it was about creating art that moved people and sharing the beauty of our natural world in a way that resonated deeply with others.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a fine art landscape and nature photographer, focusing on creating, selling, and teaching photography. At my core, I’m a creative person who has found his passion in capturing the beauty of our natural world, particularly here in Colorado. From summer wildflowers to fall colors, from dramatic mountain peaks to starlit skies, I specialize in showcasing the diverse and breathtaking landscapes that surround us.

My journey into photography wasn’t a traditional path. While I’ve always felt drawn to creativity, opportunities to embrace it were rare early in my life. For many years, I did consulting work, but about five years ago, circumstances aligned that allowed me to explore my creative side more fully. What started with simple phone photos of sunsets and snow-covered landscapes evolved into a deep passion when I bought my first real camera three years ago.

What sets my work apart is my dedication to not just capturing an image, but telling a story through my lens. Each photograph is part of a larger narrative about our natural world. I’m particularly known for my summer wildflower and fall colors landscape photography in the Colorado mountains, as well as my night sky photography. Having my work published multiple times and featured on the cover of Landscape Photography Magazine, along with being voted “Best of the Springs” Silver medalist by readers of Colorado Springs Gazette, has been incredibly affirming.

I offer several ways for people to experience and engage with my work:

– Fine art prints across different mediums, available online
– Photography mentoring online and in person, for those looking to develop their photography skills
– Annual calendars featuring my landscape work

What excites me most about what I do is the opportunity to showcase nature’s beauty in ways that inspire and move people. There’s something truly special about freezing a moment of natural beauty – whether it’s a dramatic sunset, a serene wilderness scene, or an intimate detail of nature – and sharing that with others. The fact that people want to display my photos in their homes and offices is incredibly gratifying. It’s a constant reminder that my work resonates with others and allows them to bring a piece of nature’s beauty into their daily lives.

Teaching has become an unexpected joy in my journey. Sharing my skills and knowledge with other aspiring photographers, watching them grow and develop their own unique vision, is deeply rewarding. It’s a way of paying forward the mentorship and guidance I’ve received throughout my career.

One of the aspects I’m most proud of is the emotional impact my work has on viewers. Nothing is more gratifying than hearing that my work has moved someone emotionally – whether it brings them feelings of joy, nostalgia, happiness, or excitement. I believe the earth was created for us to enjoy, and when I capture something beautiful, it’s a reminder of why we’re here.

This path has created amazing opportunities for me to continually grow as an artist, problem-solve creatively, travel to breathtaking locations, and adventure in nature. Every shoot is a new challenge, every location a new canvas, and every student a new perspective. For those interested in following my work or working with me, know that my focus is always on authenticity and passion – creating images that not only capture the beauty of our natural world but also resonate with people on an emotional level.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by multiple interconnected goals that have emerged and evolved as I’ve grown as an artist. At its heart, my mission is to showcase the profound beauty of our natural world in ways that deeply move and inspire people.

I believe the earth was created for us to enjoy, and through my photography, I aim to capture those moments that feel like a big hug from nature – like when the sky fills up with color during an amazing sunset or when you stumble upon a pristine mountain meadow filled with wildflowers. These are the moments that remind us why we’re here and connect us to something larger than ourselves.

What’s particularly meaningful to me is the impact these images have on others. When someone tells me that one of my photos brought them to tears of joy or helped them experience nature in a new way, it reinforces the power of this work. My goal isn’t just to create beautiful images, but to create emotional connections that allow people to bring a piece of nature’s beauty into their daily lives through my prints.

Teaching has also become an integral part of my mission. Through my workshops and mentoring, I’m able to help others develop their own creative vision and technical skills. It’s my way of paying forward the guidance I’ve received and building a community of artists who share a passion for capturing and preserving the beauty of our natural world.

There’s also a practical aspect to my mission – what I call ‘monetizing my fun.’ I learned early on that to continue doing what I love and avoid returning to the corporate world, I needed to build a sustainable business around my passion. This has pushed me to constantly improve my craft while finding ways to share my work that resonate with others and provide value to my clients.

But perhaps most fundamentally, my mission is to keep growing, learning, and creating. Every shoot is a new opportunity to capture something special, every workshop a chance to share knowledge, and every day a possibility to help others connect with the natural beauty that surrounds us. Through my work, I hope to remind people of the incredible world we live in and inspire them to see its beauty in new ways.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think one of the most challenging things for non-creatives to understand is the complex balance between passion and practicality in a creative career. Many people see the end result – the beautiful photos, the workshops, the print sales – but they don’t fully grasp the business acumen and strategic thinking required to make this sustainable.

From my consulting background, I understood the critical importance of cash flow and business fundamentals. I knew early on that if I wanted to continue doing what I love and not return to the corporate world, I needed to ‘monetize my fun.’ This meant approaching my creative work not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a business that required multiple revenue streams, marketing strategies, and constant adaptation to change.

Another aspect that might be hard to understand is that success in creative work isn’t linear. In my previous career, there was often a clear path forward – you learn new skills, get certifications, move up the ladder. But in the creative world, things can shift dramatically without warning. Social media exposure can fluctuate wildly, customer preferences change with the seasons, and market demands are constantly evolving.

The key challenge is maintaining artistic integrity while running a viable business. When I try to chase trends or let external pressures dictate my work, I lose the passion that drives my creativity. My most fulfilling and successful work comes from within, not from trying to conform to fleeting market demands. Finding this balance – between creating what I love and creating what sells, between artistic vision and business practicality – is a constant dance that non-creatives might find difficult to appreciate.

There’s also an emotional investment in creative work that goes beyond what many might expect. When you put your heart into creating something and share it with the world, the feedback – both positive and negative – hits differently than typical job performance reviews. It’s personal in a way that’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it.

But perhaps the biggest misconception is that creative success is just about talent or passion. In reality, it requires a complex mix of creative vision, business savvy, technical skill, marketing knowledge, and persistent dedication to improvement – all while maintaining the enthusiasm and authenticity that drew you to create in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danielforsterphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielscottphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielforsterphotos/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-forster
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DanielForsterPhotos/

Image Credits

Daniel Forster Photography