Meet Eugene Tapahe | Multi-Discipline/Media Artist and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eugene Tapahe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eugene, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Ten years ago, I made a life-altering decision to quit my full-time job and pursue my passion for landscape photography. With this, I became my own boss invested in my first digital camera, and started this new journey. The first few months were filled with frustration, mishaps, and errors with camera settings and unpredictable natural conditions. It was a whole new venture. I spent most of my time wandering and experimenting to get the ultimate “money shot.” After all, I did leave a paying job with benefits. One night, I was sitting in front of my computer monitor, reviewing my latest photographs— another unsuccessful photo shoot— tears ran down my face. I explained my frustration to my wife and wanted to give up. She told me, “You are trying too hard to get the money shot. You need to just shoot from your heart.” From that moment everything changed.
I listened to my heart. I focused on the spirit of the land, my ancestors, and my love for art and nature. I incorporated these experiences with the earth’s composition of contours, lights, darks, and elements. I learned a lot from nature such as patience, resilience, happiness, and sorrow.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Bridging the complexities of two worlds, I draw inspiration from my Diné (Navajo) traditions and modern experiences. My work portrays the fragility and resilience of Native American culture in these opposing realms. I unify this dual existence in my concepts and images. My visual narrative and creative agency awakens my spirit. My use of subtle contrasts, natural colors, and contours creates a soothing balance between the past and present. My presence in today’s misappropriation and disconnection from the Earth inspires my compositions while mirroring the traditional stories and philosophy of my people—to always walk in beauty.
Speaking through multiple lenses and visuals, my ideas determine the creative process, which includes photography, video, printmaking, installation, and mixed-media sculpture. My contemporary artistic continuum celebrates the identity and culture of Native Americans. The persona of my work offers unity, hope, and healing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
On an Adventure! I love going on solo fall and winter photo excursions to Yellowstone National Park. Being alone in nature is the greatest gift. Listening to the quiet sounds of the trees, the wind, and rivers is a truly peaceful experience. Witnessing the beauty of the wild and documenting it through photography is the greatest adventure and gift I could share with anyone.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As a member of the Diné community, I learned to respect, preserve, and protect the sacred elements of nature at a very young age. These elements include the land, trees, plants, water, sky, and animals. My grandma taught me the importance of nurturing this connection and relationship with the land. This philosophy has had a profound impact on both my life and my art. It has kept me grounded, humble, and grateful for all that I have. And most of all, my muse, my everything, my lifelong partner, my wife, Sharon, has always believed in my dreams and ambitions and supported me throughout my creative journey.

Website: https://www.tapahe.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapahe/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenetapahe/

Twitter: @TapaheDesign

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tapahephotography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tapahephotography3161

Image Credits
Photos by Eugene Tapahe, Tapahe Photography