The Indonesian archepelego Raja Ampat, Peter's planned destination for May 2026 - Photo by Simon Spring on Unsplash
The Art of Exploration
An extraordinary new chapter in the photographic journey of Peter James
A World of Beauty Awaits
For 24 years, I've dedicated my photography to capturing the extraordinary beauty of the Pacific Northwest. From ancient forests and alpine wilderness to rugged coastlines and mountain peaks, this remarkable corner of the world has been my inspiration, classroom, and artistic home.
Now, my wife iMa and I have embarked on a new chapter of exploration, embracing a life of full-time travel and the freedom to discover some of the most beautiful places on Earth, starting in the farther reaches of the Northwest and then on to Southeast Asia.
It's a dream that's been growing for decades, and one that feels like a natural evolution of everything my photography has always been about.
Peter photographing Harris Beach - a distant location, finally within reach.
Deep Roots
For 21 years, we lived on a beautiful property in Washington State, where we raised our daughter and created our own little paradise. We planted gardens, nurtured trees, and transformed the landscape around our home into a sanctuary of natural beauty.
When our daughter was born I made the commitment to be home with her every weekend. Saturdays were our special time together, a tradition we maintained all the way until she got her driver's license.
Along the way, I built photography galleries in Bellingham and Leavenworth, sharing my love of nature with thousands of visitors and collectors.
From bare ground to a food producing landscape - a 20 year project.
New Horizons
Now that our daughter has graduated and begun her own independent life, we realized that the time had come to follow that curiosity wherever it leads.
We sold our beloved home, bought a travel trailer, and transitioned our physical galleries into an online-first experience, giving us the freedom to travel, explore, and create in ways that simply weren't possible before.
Rather than being rooted in one location, our lives can now revolve around the very thing that has always inspired my art: exploring the natural world and sharing its beauty with others.
The Southern Oregon Coast can't be done in a short trip from Bellingham.
The Journey Has Already Begun
Our new adventures began with an extraordinary journey through the American West, exploring the majestic Canadian Rockies, the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone, the dramatic peaks of Grand Teton National Park, and the wild beauty of Vancouver Island, Crater Lake, and the Southern Oregon Coast in our travel trailer.
Each destination has inspired new photographic discoveries and deepened my appreciation for the endless beauty of our planet.
While our travels are taking us farther afield, the Pacific Northwest will always be home in our hearts. We plan to return each year to reconnect with family and friends, with California and the spectacular deserts of the American Southwest calling us next.
The Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park
Our Next Adventures: Across the Pacific
Our journey now takes us across the Pacific, beginning in Hawai‘i, where we'll explore the volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and tropical coastlines.
From there, we'll head to the Philippines, where I'm especially excited to explore the turquoise lagoons and limestone cliffs of Palawan Island, and return to the underwater world that first captured my imagination as a young diver.
Vietnam and Thailand will offer opportunities to immerse ourselves in new cultures and landscapes, including a return to Thailand, where I first fell in love with tropical diving decades ago. Beyond that, Bali and Indonesia's 17,000 other volcanic islands, jungles, and coral reefs are calling.
Me and my wife iMa in Maui, Hawai'i
Returning to a Childhood Dream
As a boy growing up in Michigan, I discovered my uncle's scuba diving training manual and read it from cover to cover. I was captivated by the idea of exploring an entirely different world beneath the water.
Years later, just before settling in Washington, I traveled to Thailand and experienced tropical scuba diving for the first time. It was everything I dreamed it would be. The extraordinary marine life, brilliant tropical waters, and stunning natural beauty of Southeast Asia left a lasting impression on me.
Now, decades later, that childhood dream is becoming part of my everyday life.
One of Thailand's extravagant reefs.
Bringing the Wonder Home
At the heart of this journey is the same passion that has always inspired my photography: exploring the natural world, experiencing its beauty and wonder, and sharing those experiences through my art so others can feel more connected to nature, alive, and joyful.
I want my photographs to be windows into nature, inviting you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with our extraordinary planet.
As our galleries evolve into an online experience, our connection with collectors and nature lovers continues to grow. Through photographs, stories, and videos from the road, I'm excited to share this journey with you as it unfolds.
Peter James at Yellowstone's Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Come Explore With Us
One of the greatest joys of this new chapter is being able to bring you along.
Through my Windows to the Wild newsletter, I'll share new photographs, stories of discovery, reflections on the natural world, and occasional glimpses behind the scenes of our adventures.
At Maligne Lake in the Canadian Rockies
You can also follow our journey on Instagram and YouTube, where I'll be sharing photographs, videos, and experiences as they happen.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you've followed my photography for years or are just discovering my work, I'm grateful to share the beauty of our world with you.
The world is extraordinary. And there's so much more to discover.
With gratitude,
