Some photographers chase places. Others chase moments. Jared Kreiss chases feeling. His images don’t just show wild places—they carry the weight of the road it took to reach them. From the misty mountains of North Carolina to the raw, untamed coastlines of New Zealand and the remote wilderness of Alaska, Jared’s work is rooted in exploration, patience, and pure persistence.
Seven years ago, Jared picked up his first camera with no master plan and zero rulebook. He didn’t know the technical side. He just knew that photographing the planet lit a spark he couldn’t shake. What started as curiosity quickly turned into obsession—the kind that keeps you up late editing, wakes you before sunrise, and pushes you into places where comfort doesn’t exist.
The early grind wasn’t glamorous. Jared worked paint crews, odd shifts, and whatever jobs paid the bills, saying yes to weddings, senior portraits, and anything that allowed him to keep shooting. Every dollar earned went back into the dream. Every spare hour went into learning how to turn ordinary moments into something people could feel.
That journey hasn’t been clean or predictable. It’s moved through burnout, doubt, and seasons of asking “why am I doing this?” But somehow, the camera always pulled him back. Photography carried him across continents and into wild places where silence is loud and nature reminds you who’s really in charge.
This collection of 30 mesmerizing photos is a visual record of that journey. Enchanting landscapes that look like paintings. Wildlife moments that feel intimate and earned. Drone shots that reveal the planet’s scale and fragility. Together, these images celebrate not just the beauty of Earth—but the winding, imperfect path it takes to truly see it.
You can find Jared Kreiss on the web:
#1. Gold Amongst Green in Colorado
#2. South Carolina in the Fall
#3. Colorado Aspen Glow
#4. Oahu, HI
#5. Hunting Island, SC
Landscapes That Feel Like Paintings Come to Life
Jared Kreiss has a rare ability to make landscapes feel emotional instead of distant. His scenes don’t just show mountains, coastlines, or valleys—they breathe. Soft light rolls across terrain like brushstrokes, turning real places into something that feels almost unreal.
Whether it’s fog drifting through a ridgeline or golden light stretching across open land, these landscapes feel carefully observed, not rushed. Jared waits for the moment when nature decides to speak. The result is imagery that feels calm, cinematic, and deeply immersive—proof that patience can turn a familiar scene into something unforgettable.
#6. New Zealand Dusky Dolphin
#7. Elk of the Smoky Mountains
#8. The Route
#9. Molas Pass Cabin During Fall in Colorado
#10. Mom and Cub in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Wildlife Moments That Feel Honest and Unforced
When wildlife appears in Jared’s work, it never feels staged or intrusive. These are quiet, earned moments—animals existing in their element, on their terms. There’s respect in the distance and humility in the framing.
Rather than chasing spectacle, Jared focuses on presence. A single glance, a pause in movement, a shared moment of awareness. These images remind us that wildlife photography isn’t about domination or proximity—it’s about understanding when to wait and when to let the moment pass.
#11. Turtle in Australia
#12. Brown bear in Katmai National Park, Alaska
#13. Blooms of the Blue Ridge, NC
#14. Misty Morning in the Great Smoky Mountains
#15. New Zealand Kea
Seeing the World From Above: Breathtaking Drone Perspectives
Jared’s drone photography adds a whole new layer to his storytelling. From above, landscapes transform into patterns, textures, and abstract compositions that reveal the planet’s design in ways we rarely notice.
These aerial images aren’t just about scale—they’re about perspective. They show how small we are, how massive the world is, and how everything connects. Coastlines curve like brush marks, rivers carve stories into the land, and wilderness stretches endlessly. It’s visual proof that beauty multiplies when you change the way you look.
#16. New Zealand Braided Rivers
#17. Costa Rica
#18. Clouds
#19. Milford Sound, New Zealand
#20. Waves
Adventure, Travel, and the Reality Behind the Dream
Behind every epic photo is a lot of unseen work. Long drives. Cold mornings. Missed shots. Burnout. Doubt. Jared doesn’t hide that reality. His journey is as much about endurance as it is about exploration.
Living between New Zealand and North Carolina, chasing seasons and light, he’s learned that adventure isn’t constant excitement—it’s commitment. Showing up even when motivation dips. Trusting the process when outcomes are uncertain. That honesty gives his work depth. These images aren’t escapism—they’re earned.
#21. Canoeing in Baxter State Park, Maine
#22. Minimalism
#23. Blue Ridge Mountains, NC
#24. Mountains
#25. Wanaka Tree, New Zealand
An Artist Still Becoming
Even with recognition and awards, Jared Kreiss doesn’t photograph like someone who thinks he’s arrived. His work feels open, curious, and unfinished in the best way. There’s a sense that he’s still learning, still searching, still becoming.
That mindset is what keeps his photography fresh. Each image feels like a question instead of an answer. And maybe that’s the real magic—celebrating the beauty of the planet while staying honest about the journey it takes to see it clearly.
#26. Blooms of the Blue Ridge, NC
#27. Tasman River, New Zealand
#28. Glacier National Park
#29. Rhododendron Blooms of Blue Ridge
#30. Light and Layers of North Carolina
In Summary
Who is Jared Kreiss?
- Jared Kreiss is an award-winning photographer documenting wild places and honest moments, splitting his time between New Zealand and North Carolina.
What type of photography does Jared Kreiss create?
- He specializes in landscapes, wildlife, drone photography, and adventure-driven nature storytelling.
How long has Jared Kreiss been a photographer?
- He has been photographing for over seven years, evolving from a hobbyist into a dedicated professional.
What makes Jared Kreiss’s photos unique?
- His images combine cinematic beauty with emotional depth, emphasizing patience, perspective, and the journey behind each frame.
Where does Jared Kreiss travel for photography?
- His work spans North Carolina, New Zealand, Alaska, and other remote wild regions around the world.
