Meet Meredith of Baker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith.

Hi Meredith, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story really starts when I was a kid, growing up with a love for the outdoors and a curiosity about the natural world. My mom gave me her old Canon SLR from the ‘70s, and I fell in love with photography early on. But as adult life took over, photography slipped to the back burner.

For a while, I pursued another dream: paleontology. I spent over 15 years researching, teaching, and consulting in the field, even working at places like the Smithsonian and the National Park Service. I loved the science and especially the fieldwork, but over time I realized I needed something more. A series of personal challenges forced me to take a hard look at my life, my values, and the kind of impact I wanted to have.

I eventually left my career in paleontology and devoted myself to studying and creating things that excited me. That choice led to years of exploration, learning everything from yoga to coding. During this time, I also reconnected with photography in a big way.

I made a decision that I wanted to pursue landscape photography professionally, and my journey has taken many twists and turns since then. Being able to pursue one of my passions for a living feels like a dream come true.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not smooth, but I think that’s part of what’s made it worthwhile.

Leaving a career in paleontology was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. It meant letting go of something I had worked extremely hard toward for many years, and stepping into the unknown with no clear plan. However, my intuition was telling (more like begging) me to pursue something more creative and aligned with my values.

Re-learning photography after a decade away was also a major challenge, especially since digital photography took over. I had to teach myself everything all over again, not to mention the business side things, which was no easy task.

There were financial struggles, too, especially while trying different paths and ideas. I’ve worked seasonal and part-time odd jobs that I hated, and I failed a lot. However, those failures taught me resilience and that opportunities will always come if you don’t quit.

One of the toughest things has been giving myself permission to take an unconventional path. But I’ve learned that real fulfillment doesn’t come from following a traditional script. Rather, it comes from doing work that feels meaningful and aligned with who I am.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a professional landscape photographer, most of my work involves creating images and teaching other photographers through an online school and community that I founded called Nature Photography Academy. I love helping others improve their craft and develop their unique voice, especially since I know how overwhelming the learning process can feel.

Outside of teaching, much of my work is centered around capturing the beauty of wild places, especially through backpacking and wilderness adventures. Most of what you will see in my portfolio was created on multi-day trips hiking and camping in remote locations throughout Colorado and the West. I usually carry about 40 pounds worth of supplies, food, water, and camera gear. I work very hard to create images of our most precious wilderness areas that most people will never see. I hope that when people see my work, they realize the importance of protecting these wild lands.

Hearing from students who say that my work has helped them see the world differently through their camera or spend more time outdoors is what I am most proud of. Knowing that I have helped someone reconnect with nature and rediscover their creativity is incredibly rewarding.

I think that what sets me apart is that I don’t just teach photography, I help people build confidence, overcome fear, and find meaning through their creative journey. For me, it’s about more than taking pretty pictures. It’s about using art and adventure as a tool for personal growth and transformation.

How do you think about happiness?
Spending time in nature makes me genuinely happy. There’s something about being alone in the backcountry with no phone, computer, or internet that brings me back to myself. It’s where I feel the most free, creative, and alive. It’s the biggest reason that I do what I do.

I also find a lot of joy in helping others find their own creativity and confidence. The process of learning, creating, and solving problems makes me really happy, too. I love the challenge of turning an idea into something real, whether it’s a photo, a piece of writing, or part of my online school.

I believe that happiness is everyone’s natural, default state, and everything else (our thoughts, our environment, society, etc.) gets in the way of that. You don’t have to go somewhere or do something to find it. The more you can recognize what is getting in the way of your inherent joy, the sooner you can remove those things and feel more happiness in your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: meredithfontanaphotography.com
• Instagram: @meredith_fontana
• Other: https://www.skool.com/naturephotography/about

Image Credits
Meredith Fontana

Tim Gillies