Meet Justin Key | Artist

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

Hi Justin, what are you inspired by?
It’s taken me years to truly understand the muse behind my work. I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors but it was only through my work that I was able to understand why. I’ve never been the most comfortable in social settings, I grew up shy and developed into a devoted introvert. Nature became the place to put my mind at ease and that easiness has become the driver for my work. When I’m surrounded by nature my mind can shut off and I become present in the moment. This presence heightens my experience and I find beauty in every aspect of the landscape. Science has begun studying the benefits of spending time in nature and this phenomenon is not unique to me. My work is all about harnessing the peace that awaits us in mother nature’s loving embrace. The benefits that I’ve experienced have been profound and I strive to share that serenity with the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart is my eye. I’ve always believed the photographer’s eye is the most important tool we possess and have relied on mine to drive my work. As photography has become more accessible to the general public and the landscape market has become wildly over saturated, my eye has helped me find a unique style and perspective to set me apart. By following my eye and encouraging its development I see the landscape for myself and allow my creative intuition to control the camera. This has unlocked the deeper connection to Mother Earth and the passion that drives my work. My work is meant to capture the etherial essence of nature and share the peace that awaits us in the great outdoors. By focusing on the details that make a landscape beautiful and capturing the serenity that lies within them I seek to provide a window into the healing arms of Mother Nature to hopefully inspire more to seek these types of experiences and eventually embark on their own journey to finding inner peace as I have. I’m disgusted by the habits that plague our society and think we must return to nature and the simplicities of life to make the most of our limited time here.

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?
I would take them to the mountains and let them see the world from its peak. Take them deep into an aspen forest and show them the beauty and the silence that lies within. Bring them to the sand dunes to corral the ego. If I’m in control we’re having an adventure. We’re going to push some limits, get uncomfortable, but ultimately savor the rewards of doing something difficult all while taking in the beauty of Mother Nature. To me it doesn’t matter where you live, pushing your boundaries is a great benefit we should all make time for. Colorado just has an insane catalog to choose from.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe most of the credit to my wife, Sarah. She gave me the confidence to pursue this journey and has been there to pick me up whenever I’ve gotten knocked down. She’s the type of person I think everyone needs in their corner, just a true ride or die companion that will not only serve as a compass but also challenge you to be your best self along the way.

Website: https://www.justinkeyphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinkeyphotography/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-key-photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinKeyPhotography/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel