Welcome! I'm Jon Norris — a professional landscape photographer, and hiking/backpacking guide. I also instruct and volunteer with the Joshua Tree National Park Association's Desert Institute.
My photographic journey began at age 14 with a trusty Zenit TTL and countless rolls of poorly exposed 35mm film. I taught myself the fundamentals the old-fashioned way: trial, error, and a deep curiosity about light and composition. That early foundation shaped how I approach photography today — with patience, intention, and a hunger to keep learning.
Born in the UK, I spent 25 years in aerospace engineering (including 15 years living in France and Germany). As a "recovering engineer," I now channel that analytical mindset into something more creative. Today, I divide my time between running my photography business and creating work from my home base in Lake Forest, Orange County, USA.
Explore. Experience. Create.
Those three words are far more than a marketing tagline for me (although they do serve that purpose). They succinctly describe my 3-step approach to photography while I'm out in nature and how I can get myself into the right frame of mind to 'see' the landscape photographically, i.e., how I get into a flow state.
Explore
I love being out in nature and like nothing more than exploring somewhere new, taking a look at the map, finding a trail, and following it to see what I find. Being out in nature puts aside the stresses of everyday life, resets my overstimulated mind, and lets me focus on what I'm seeing around me. Within 15–20 minutes of exploring a trail, I can feel myself relaxing and opening up to what nature has to offer.
Experience
Once relaxed, my body is ready to experience, and appreciate, nature, with all my senses. I start seeing details, shapes, textures, light, patterns, and potential compositions.
I start to hear the movement of trees, the chirping of birds, and the motion of water over rocks. I touch a rock as I walk past it, feel its rough surface, and notice the different inclusions and crystalline elements that formed over millions of years.
Create
I pause, put down my backpack and get my camera out. An idea for a composition has taken hold, and I'm ready to build the image. I choose my lens, put it on the camera body, start framing my composition and start working through my image workflow.
Landscape Photography
For me, landscape photography isn't just about "getting the shot." It's about learning to see, slowing down, and building the confidence to consistently create images that look like you made them — not just your camera. Whether you're a beginner seeking clarity or an experienced shooter feeling stuck, I help you move forward with calm, practical guidance — and a sprinkle of humor.
When I'm not behind the camera, you'll find me hiking, editing, or supporting organizations dedicated to protecting the wild spaces we love to photograph. I genuinely believe photographers have a responsibility to tread lightly and help preserve what inspires us.
Let's Connect
I'm here to help you improve your photography — and actually enjoy the process while doing it.
Explore my galleries — see what's possible when patience meets light and landscape.
Book an online mentoring session — ready to deepen your skills? Let's work together one-on-one.
Browse fine art prints — bring a piece of these landscapes into your space.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy shooting!
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