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Patrick Aalto Photography

Artist Statement & Bio

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​Artist Statement - 
Raising awareness of Earth's beauty, through image-making, education and partnership in an effort to help every person enjoy nature, where they find it.  This is at the heart of what I do at Patrick Aalto Photography.
   Not everyone has the access or means to get outside to iconic locations.  Not everyone has the desire to wake up at 3:00am, to be cold, to be rained on, to be muddy, to swim with alligators, to be stung, bitten in order to create an image. Yet, everyone has the right to enjoy a healthy and intact natural world, whether that is found in a city park or at rugged, wild and wilderness areas.  My driving force has always been to photograph images of our natural world, and share with those who may not have the access or desire themselves, to bring nature to you.  I want to share with you, the beauty of nature both for your enjoyment, and, hopefully inspire you to take notice of our amazing natural world and the importance of green places and wild animals.  
 
   The outdoors is for all people and I hope I can excite you to imagine, share and inspire others to care for our natural world, from our backyards to the great parks we might have the privilege and pleasure of visiting, and everyplace in between.
   
Biography - 
   Photography has been a part of my outside life since I was in middle School.  My first exposure to photography was shooting underwater photos in the Florida Keys with an Ikelite Aquashot.  I learned a lot about taking not-so-great photos, yet, feeling great excitement to share the stories of my adventures.  I started, in earnest, to take photography serious in 1998.  Since then, I have traveled and stayed local, wherever that was, to explore and find great things to photograph in nature. 
Instruction Experience - 
   I have been teaching photography since 2007, to help others develop skills they might want, to better tell their stories and inspire others.  And so on it goes...
  • 2007-2010, Photography instructor to at-risk-youth, while working at a boarding school in Idaho and Costa Rica.
  • 2013-2019, Photography instructor with REI Outdoor Programs in Portland, Oregon.
  • Present Day, Instructor for Patrick Aalto Photography; partner instructor with Mount St Helens Institute
Weddings, engagement and adventure -
With over 15 years of experience photographing weddings, engagements and people doing cool things outside, I have the skills and am confident I can create the images you want to remember your special moments.  My approach is laid back and friendly, yet, professional - we will get to know each other so we can get you the exact results you are looking for.  I prefer to work in natural light and outside.  If this is the type of event you are planning, I can give you the images you are looking for without your spending a fortune.    
  • Weddings
  • Engagements
  • Elopements
  • Adventure Weddings
  • Adventure Sports   
 
                - Patrick Aalto
 
​What's in the bag -
 
On Land
Cameras:
Canon 5DS R - 
Canon 5D MkII
Canon Rebel XSi
Canon AE-1 (Film)
Gitzo and Manfrotto Tripods
Singh Ray  Filters
Lenses:
Canon 16-35mm
Canon 28-70mm
Canon 24-85mm
Canon 75-300mm
Sigma 70-200mm
In the Water
Canon SL3
Tokina 10-17mm
Canon 18-55mm
Ikelite Housing
Ikelite Strobes
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