John Steitz Photography

John Steitz Photography Adventure photography centered around the places I'm passionate about. Sometimes I bring my camera.

Sound Engineer by trade, but much of my free time is spent exploring whatever backcountry or abandoned building I can find. I try to focus my energies on subjects I am passionate about or interested in, such as activism, politics, and nature.

Heading North now to my happy place to spend a few days walking in the woods with my dog. Adios, society.
06/01/2026

Heading North now to my happy place to spend a few days walking in the woods with my dog.

Adios, society.

Capitol Reef was an unexpectedly amazing area for our backpacking trip. While the park might not have much of the infras...
05/30/2026

Capitol Reef was an unexpectedly amazing area for our backpacking trip. While the park might not have much of the infrastructure and iconic attractions of the other Utah parks, Capitol Reef is full of endlessly incredible backcountry opportunities.

One of the highlights of our route was here, down Spring Canyon. Having this wondrous canyon all to ourselves was simply magical.

For waterfall Wednesday this week, I present to you a throwback to a most magical waterfall on the Olympic Peninsula. I’...
05/27/2026

For waterfall Wednesday this week, I present to you a throwback to a most magical waterfall on the Olympic Peninsula. I’ve only visited Olympic once a few years back, and I fell in love with the region. I can’t wait to return to see what other hidden gems there are tucked away in the park!

This is an old photograph. Nearly a decade old now, in fact. And while it isn’t my best from a technical ex*****on or qu...
05/24/2026

This is an old photograph. Nearly a decade old now, in fact. And while it isn’t my best from a technical ex*****on or quality standpoint, it is one of my favorites. Not only for the nostalgia, but for the WILD story that unfolded just afterwards.

This was the morning of the 2017 total eclipse in North America. Just a couple hours after this photo was taken, this basin was swallowed up in the shadow of the moon as the total solar eclipse went over head. It was absolutely magical.

However, when and I woke up here, it was overcast and we were worried the eclipse would be a bust for us. As we were getting ready to pack camp, we noticed a man walking down trail. I shouted across the basin to ask if he thought the eclipse would make an appearance, and he replied “God willing!”. As if on cue, the clouds began parting, and we got completely clear skies for the eclipse. It was a most incredible experience.

About a week later, Steve and I were in Grand Teton National Park, where we bushwhacked .25 miles or so down the hill from the Snake River Overlook to try and find a better vantage for sunrise. Then, out of no where, over 100 miles from where we first met, the same man bushwhacks down to meet us. Once again, this patron Saint of good conditions ensured a nice sunrise, and the Tetons lit up in their Golden morning brilliance.

Was this man a phantom of my imagination? Was he sent by the photography gods to watch over us this trip? I may never know the answer, but these insanely improbable encounters have served for me as the most convincing evidence for some sort of cosmic order to things.

I mean, c’mon! What are the odds?!

A sunrise/sunset pair of images from the same spot in Goblin Valley last month.Goblin Valley was our bonus frontcountry ...
05/23/2026

A sunrise/sunset pair of images from the same spot in Goblin Valley last month.

Goblin Valley was our bonus frontcountry stop to wrap up our route last month Southern Utah. What a surprisingly fun park! Exploring all the goblins, caverns, nooks and crannies made me feel like an adventurous little boy again. It’s just the kind of landscape that brings out the child in you.

I shot both sunset and sunrise at this one spot and couldn’t decide which I preferred, so you get both!

Oh the wonders of the inner Grand Canyon. What I wouldn’t give to be hiking along the Tonto Shelf right about now. ...
05/20/2026

Oh the wonders of the inner Grand Canyon. What I wouldn’t give to be hiking along the Tonto Shelf right about now.

On our first night in Utah last month, we zoomed off the plane and across the desert to an overlook camp that we’ve all ...
05/15/2026

On our first night in Utah last month, we zoomed off the plane and across the desert to an overlook camp that we’ve all probably seen. But looking out over this area in person for the first time hit harder than the countless images I’ve seen. It’s just one of those landscapes where the images don’t quite do justice to the feeling.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - April 2026Of Sandstone and Stardust.I think there should be a government program to a...
05/08/2026

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - April 2026

Of Sandstone and Stardust.

I think there should be a government program to afford every citizen the right and means to periodically witness the Milky Way rise over some exceptionally remote corner of the Utah desert. Scenes like this have a way of grounding our egos and shrinking the trivialities of modern life to a more manageable size. I think society would do well with more of that.

(10 exposure star stack for sky with a blue hour blend for foreground noise)

It’s the beginning of Spring here in Minnesota, which means my brain starts turning West as I pour over the mapping/rout...
05/04/2026

It’s the beginning of Spring here in Minnesota, which means my brain starts turning West as I pour over the mapping/routing software and scheme another hike through my happy place. August can’t come soon enough!

05/03/2026

A very Happy May Day one and all from wacky and wonderful South Minneapolis!

Address

Lake Louise, AB

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when John Steitz Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to John Steitz Photography:

Shortcuts

Share

Category