Meet Jon Engele | Landscape Photographer & Engineer

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

Hi Jon, how do you think about risk?
Oh wow, where to begin? To me, risk is one of those slippery words that gets thrown around in a negative sense, when in reality I see risk as another kind of opportunity. My mom has a great story she loves to tell about when I was nine years old or so at the Grand Canyon and since I couldn’t see over the wall, I climbed on the wall and began skipping along like I didn’t have a care in the world. Now, that particular example may be more on the reckless side than I’d be willing to do now, but that’s always been how I approach things. There’s a million and one inspirational quotes about being willing to take risks in life, but the best I’ve heard is, “security is mostly a superstition. It doesn’t really exist. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

It was a certainly a risk when I quit my job as an engineer to travel the world the first time, but that risk planted the seed of an even bigger one further down the road when I quit my job again to do photography full time. And I don’t regret them for a second. Even if I know my bank account would probably be a little larger if I’d played it safe the whole time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
That’s a dangerous question! If you get me going, I could talk ramble on about photography and travel and spots all day long, but I’ll try and keep it brief. I guess before I answer the question directly, I want to say that for me, landscape photography and the location itself, the place where I am shooting are inextricably linked. Unlike other forms of photography very little is staged, very little can be controlled, and so much of the experience is tied to the travel aspect – the getting there, the being there, the energy you feel while you’re there.

What sets me apart from so many others I see is that my photographs try to recreate the emotional sensation that the locations I shoot bring up in me more than anything. I have always had a post processing style that could be described as “painterly,” and I like that because the locations I shoot so often have had this almost supernatural or surreal feeling to them, and I’m so happy to be able to recreate at least a small piece of that feeling I had when I was there shooting.

Professionally, of course, it has not been easy at all. I look back at some of the photos I took when I was first starting out only a couple of years ago and they were just awful! haha Especially in an age of social media and fierce competition, it’s so easy to get discouraged, to lose faith, or fall in the trap of comparing your work to someone you really admire and feeling like you’ll never be good enough. It takes a lot of stepping back from yourself, a lot of self reflection, a WHOLE lot of perseverance, and a love for what you do that can’t be broken even through the dry spells.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First things first, if you’re visiting, I’m going to insist we go snowboarding. It’s got to happen. Not only are places like Copper and Vail absolutely legendary for conditions, but you need to see the towns of Breck and Beaver Creek for yourself. They just have that good small town mountain vibe to them. An absolute must see. Then, of course, we’d have to hit at least one concert. Red rocks is the natural choice of venue, but I personally love the Filmore, The Gothic, and Mission Ballroom too. You really can’t go wrong, and the music scene here is incredible. Then, of course, we have more food options than you can shake a stick at. You feeling Thai food? Let’s hit Thai Pot of Colorado. Want some great Chinese? You can’t beat Hoongs Palace off Arapahoe. Feeling tacos? I’m such a sucker for Torchy’s it’s almost an addicition. Then after that, why not play some pool at Tarantulas downtown? I think you’re gonna need more than a week…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout first and foremost to my girlfriend Sophany. Even through all my travels, and my insane 3 am trips scouting spots you have always been there supporting me the whole time. You have the patience of a saint and I love you for it! I’d also like to shout out my family, every photographer in the space who continues to inspire me everyday, and The Innercircle. I’d be nothing without you all!

Website: Jonephoto.com

Instagram: @JonEngelePhotography

Other: Threads: @JonEngelePhotography