Main Street News

In honor of Photographer Appreciation Month in October, we’re highlighting some of our local photographers. Get to know more about Luke Kelly of @lukekellytravels below!

Your name and type of camera you use / prefer?

Luke Kelly / Sony Mirrorless

What type of photography do you most often do or prefer (subject matter)?

I love to take photos of my travels, hikes, and anything in the outdoors. My favorite subject is really any vast, sweeping landscape—especially with mountains. I want to capture how it feels to be there. 

How did you get into photography?

It’s funny, I kind of got into photography by accident. When I was in my 20s, all I wanted to do was travel the world. I was working on commercial fishing boats in Alaska, hitchhiking through Patagonia, climbing in New Zealand—having all these crazy, impactful experiences. I borrowed this old Kodak from my mom, and was always shooting with it just to capture the memories. And slowly, over the course of six or seven years and a lot of trips, I slowly realized that I love taking photos too, and finally decided to pursue it more seriously. I should probably give that Kodak back. 

What’s your most favorite photo you’ve ever taken and why?

I took a photo in Banff of a fading rainbow that was perfectly framing Rundle Mountain, reflected in Vermilion Lakes. That shot comes to mind as a favorite—it was just such a unique and rare moment. I saw the rainbow form over the lake as we were driving in the opposite direction, so I made a very questionable u-turn and had to drive pretty fast to get there before the rainbow disappeared. My hand was shaking from adrenaline a little bit when I took it—I’d just never seen a view that surreal. I was happy with how it came out. 

 What inspires you and your photography?

I think the driving force behind most of what I do is this innate need that I’ve always felt to go out and explore the world. So I’m really inspired by wild, unique locations. I love the solitude and flow state that comes with shooting somewhere remote. My goal with photography is to capture what these parts of the world are actually like, and hopefully to inspire people to go out and experience these places for themselves—and to care about them.  

What is your background – did you study photography or are you self-taught?

I’m totally self-taught. I’m a hands-on learner, so I really just taught myself over a number of years and a lot of trial and error. The great thing about photography is that it’s a lifelong passion, so I’m still very much learning and growing with every trip. And hopefully improving a little bit each year.

How has technology impacted your artistry and photos? 

My philosophy for nature photography is that I try to let the landscape and the light do most of the work. I’ve learned how to get to a spot when the natural light is at its most dramatic. (It takes a surprising amount of planning, and a little more hiking in the dark than you might think.) That said, technology is what makes it all possible. The camera is the tool to capture that moment, and then I’ll edit a bit in Lightroom. So I’m definitely grateful for all these advancements that allow us to freeze a moment in time, and to share it. 

Where do you photograph? What are your most common locations? Do you have a favorite place to photograph either as a subject matter or as a background?

I spend a lot of time photographing the National Parks, and then just wherever I happen to be traveling in a given year. I’ve been to Norway, Iceland, and the Azores in the past three months—all of which were awesome for photos. I have shoots in the Pacific Northwest and Patagonia in the coming weeks. But honestly, the landscapes of the Hudson Valley will always be one of my favorite places to take pictures. We’re lucky to live in such a scenic area, and each season brings something new to photograph. I take a lot of photos around Red Hook, Rhinebeck, and Millbrook. This place is home. 

How do you market yourself – do you have a website or social media that you use to promote your photography?

Yeah! I have a website (lukekellytravels.com) and social media @lukekellytravels, where I post frequently.  

 How do people find you and your photos – do you sell your photos or are you more “to hire” / commission-based?

I’d say that most people probably find me through Instagram and Facebook. I sell prints and calendars, and work for hire as well. I’ve been shooting for a number of outdoor companies, tourism boards, and travel-related expeditions. It’s gotten to the point where I’m finally getting paid to travel and take photos, which has always been a dream of mine. Locally, I recently started doing weddings, properties, engagements, and portraits. So definitely reach out if you need photos!  

Have you (your photos) won any awards?

I won the Central Hudson fall photo contest a few years ago, and a handful of other local contests with Scenic Hudson, but honestly I’m not super interested in awards or contests. The thing I love about photography is that at its heart it’s subjective. I just create according to my own vision, and never really think about how my photos compare to someone else’s. At the end of the day, photography is a great medium to explore the world, tell a story, create something new, or inspire. If your photo does any of those things, then you’ve done your job.

To learn more about Luke Kelly and his work, find him on his website here and keep up with him on Instagram @lukekellytravels and Facebook.