Scott Papek is a self-taught Fine Art nature photographer who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the current base of his gallery and business. Although his previous life in the music business first prompted the flow of his creative juices and took him to California, Scott eventually recognized his calling to an alternative outlet that permitted him to share his creativity through a camera lens.
Scott began a disciplined self-education in La Jolla, California, where he would rise early each morning, grab his camera, and head to capture the natural beauty of the coastal area into frequent inspiring reproductions. Occasional setbacks only seemed to motivate Scott, and nine months of persistent through-the-lens devotion was rewarded with his first gallery shot. Since then, Scott has been living a life of adventure, freedom, and fulfillment where he has made it his mission to mentor others to do the same.
When he is not spending time with his lovely wife and their young twins, Scott’s curiosity and drive to explore new places fuel his travels around the world where images await capture.
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Explore Utah in a week
DISCLAIMER: It’s sneaky hot and the altitude is as high at 10k. I got myself in a little trouble not having enough water on one of my hikes. Please have backups of water and protein bars! I don’t know everything so please just use this part of your research.
If you fly into Phoenix, Las Vegas or Salt Lake I would use the same route.
This is based on a 5-7 day trip.
Start in Page, Arizona.
Famous slot canyons. Upper and lower canyon.
Note: There are no unguided tours. The canyons are located on Navajo Nation property.
Best times to shoot. Upper Canyon 11am-2p, Lower Canyon, early morning. If you have the choice to start at north or south choose north.
Upper canyon can be really crowded. I paid for the photography tour which definitely benefited me when the light started to pop through. There were people actually fighting behind me trying to get closer. For upper, the light only pops through the canyon in the summer months when the sun is at it’s highest peak. Please call the guides to make sure your trip lines up with those time lines.
Don’t forget to get up extra early and head to Horseshoe Bend.
Next head to The wave: Vermillion cliffs.
It’s impossible to get in if you don’t book a reservation way in advance.
Bryce Canyon:
Well worth the visit. Get there for sunrise and do the hike in the hoodoos before it gets warm.
Willis Creek Slot! I loved this canyon. I hiked it an never saw a human.
Willis Creek Trailhead – From Mount Carmel Junction, follow US Highway 89 north, to Glendale, Utah. Make a right turn on 300 North, also called the Bench Road. It’s directly across the highway from the Buffalo Bistro. Travel the graded dirt Glendale Bench Road (road #600) for 15 miles to a marked junction in the road. There is a kiosk at the junction with a map and other information. The road goes in two directions from the Glendale Bench Road. One road is the Johnson Canyon Road and the other is the Skutumpah Road (road #500). Take Skutumpah Road. It’s 14 miles on Skutumpah Road to the Lick Wash Trailhead. To find Willis Creek continue down Skutumpah Road 11.8 miles past the Lick Wash trailhead. There are two parking areas for Willis Creek. The trail starts on the opposite side of the road from the registration box.
Escalante:
Where the locals like to go to get away from tourists.
There are a few slot canyons such as Zebra, Peek-A-Boo and Spooky. It’s endless what you can hike and see here.
Always be aware of the weather conditions and never enter a slot canyon during stormy weather. Although flash floods can happen anytime of the year, hiking in July, August, and September carries the greatest risk. Do NOT drive the road in the rain, it can be very sketchy. Clay and mud on this road are a major issue if it rains, and ya you’ll be 26.2 miles from the pavement if you do get stuck, the identical distance of a marathon.
Always hike with plenty of water in the desert and keep an extra supply of water and food in your car. Let someone know when you leave and when you are to return. Watch for rattlesnakes!
Sizing Art for your home properly
Art not only creates interest and a focal point to any space, but it can also balance a room and serve as a window.
Sizing art can be tricky. We’re here to help. Before investing in a Papek Fine Art print, email us a picture of your wall along with the furniture dimensions. Then choose your favorite image and we will email you a mock-up that shows exactly how the image will look above your furniture. Remember that framing adds 8 to 12 inches to the piece (i.e., a 20” x 60” print becomes a 32” x 72” art piece).
See below for specific examples of how art has the potential to inspire your room:??King size approximate size is 78” inches?. To download this guide click Papek Sizing
Panoramic 36” x 72″
Panoramic 30” x 60”
Traditional 40” x 60”
Standard Sofa Size is 84”
Panoramic 36” x 72”
Panoramic 30” x 60”
Traditional 40” x 60”
Standard Fireplace 54″
Panoramic 25” x 50”
Panoramic 20” x 40”
Traditional 24” x 36”
Scott Papek is a self-taught Fine Art nature photographer who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the current base of his gallery and business. Although his previous life in the music business first prompted the flow of his creative juices and took him to California, Scott eventually recognized his calling to an alternative outlet that permitted him to share his creativity through a camera lens.
Scott began a disciplined self-education in La Jolla, California, where he would rise early each morning, grab his camera, and head to capture the natural beauty of the coastal area into frequent inspiring reproductions. Occasional setbacks only seemed to motivate Scott, and nine months of persistent through-the-lens devotion was rewarded with his first gallery shot. Since then, Scott has been living a life of adventure, freedom, and fulfillment where he has made it his mission to mentor others to do the same.
When he is not spending time with his lovely wife and their young twins, Scott’s curiosity and drive to explore new places fuel his travels around the world where images await capture.
To read more about Scott or to view his images, visit www.papekphotography.com.
Nebraska Spring Storm
<p>A really nasty spring storm in Nebraska turns into pure beauty. There are so many colors, textures, formations, and if that wasn’t enough, a rainbow. My favorite part of the image is the two different sky colors. Each side tells a different story. The orange side to me is very peaceful and the blue side has so much energy and feels alive. “Nebraska Spring Storm” is a Limited Edition of only 50 images available. For sizing and pricing please go here
Everything in it’s Right Place
Have you ever had a song get stuck in your head and you find yourself thinking about it, or God forbid, singing it over and over? Remember, “Chumbawamba”? It can be pretty annoying at times. I also have the problem of getting images stuck in my head and I can’t shut them out of my mind. Sometimes it’s a photo I haven’t taken yet or sometimes it is one I have. Some days I’ll look at it several times and other times weeks go by and I don’t think about it.
Images to me are songs. Today I was getting stuff ready in the gallery before we opened and Radiohead’s, “Everything in It’s Right Place”, came on. I immediately connected to it and turned the volume up. It was such a great moment to just sit there and enjoy a song I’ve heard a 100 times but it just sounded different today. I couldn’t get this image out of my mind during that moment.
My question to you is when you see this image what song comes to mind?
Everything in it’s Right Place was taken in San Diego around La Jolla Cove. I’m only printing five of “Everything in Its Right Place”. To view go here.
The Gate to Eternity
I knew this Sea Cave was a must shot for me but wasn’t sure if a high tide would ruin my vision. The tide was even better than I had expected. In my mind the shot had to represent a sacred gate that leads to anywhere you want it to. By slowing down my shutter speed on my camera, it allowed me to create the misty entrance to The Gate To Eternity. To see more view here
Morning Mist
A misty moody morning in Scarborough, Maine marina. For more info view here
Loyal
I believe a photo is only as good as it’s story. My original plan was to capture a sunset shot but that went out the door as I watched this loyal dog sit at the beach for an hour until his master(dad) was done surfing. If you have ever had that love for your pet you totally get this story. “Loyal” was captured at Anini Beach in Kauai, Hawaii. If you like this please vote for me at the national geographic photo contest here