ePixEditions.com

Photographer, Musician And The Glacier Bay National Park Ranger
 
We first noticed Jake several years ago on some photography related forums. His photography attracted our attention enough to get in touch and invite him to an exhibition sponsored by our partners at Fotosafari.hr - 16 Lakes, held at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. His work was well received by both the public and the critics.
 
ePixEditions:
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your history?
 
Jake McFee:
I grew up in New Jersey, USA. My grandparents used to take me to our National Parks in the summers when I was a kid and I´ve grown attached to them. I went to college for Education and taught secondary school for a while, but the parks always called to me and I became a park ranger 10 years ago. I´ve worked at Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and Glacier Bay National Parks. I also have a passion for music and make music with my friends under the names Connected View and Rewilding.
 
ePixEditions:
How did you get started in photography?
 
Jake McFee:
Getting exposed to wild places at a young age, I was always somewhat obsessed with topography, maps, and finding beauty in landforms. I started doing photography about 12 years ago when I went on a solo hiking trip to Colorado and wanted to share what I saw with people, but I did not have a decent camera, so I went out and bought a DSLR when I returned home and it´s been a passion ever since.
 
ePixEditions:
When did you first know that you wanted to be a photographer?
 
Jake McFee:
I never thought of myself as a photographer or aspired to be one. I knew I liked photography at a young age and I like doing it now, but I don´t consider myself a photographer.
 
ePixEditions:
Can you name any photographer that may have inspired you the most?
 
Jake McFee:
When I was a kid, occasionally I would sleep over at my grandparent´s house on the weekends and they had many Ansel Adams prints around the house and it was my first exposure (pun intended) to photography and landscape photography in particular. It had a big impact on my impressionable mind at that time. It´s kind of cliché to list Adams as an influence, but its inescapable. I don´t really follow many other photographers or keep up with it or read about it in any way to be honest. I kind of do my own thing. I´m more of a music nerd that also takes a lot of photos to have a creative outlet when I´m not doing music.
 
ePixEditions:
What would your dream assignment be?
 
Jake McFee:
To be able to travel in wild places throughout the world to make photos and music in. These places inspire me to be creative.
 
ePixEditions:
Any words of wisdom for the up and coming?
 
Jake McFee:
Photography, like anything technology related or like other arts is not something that will click over night (pun intended.) Its something that takes a long time to understand and get decent at. When I look at some of my photos from 10 years ago I cringe. Also, find a thing that you like to take pictures of the most. What is the coolest thing to you? Focus on that. (Pun intended again… sorry :))
 
ePixEditions:
Thank you for sharing all this with us, and even more, thank you for publishing your wonderful Glacier Bay ePix Calendar!