Biography

Patrick Pacheco Zephyr grew up in Fall River, MA, where he spent his childhood searching for amphibians, reptiles and insects and exploring other hidden natural treasures. In 1992, he moved to the western part of the state to pursue his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Following graduation, he participated in a three month canoeing expedition in a remote region of the Northwest Territories of Canada. Patrick purchased his first camera (a 35mm Nikon 6006 SLR) to document this adventure, and has been taking photos ever since. During Patrick’s many outdoor explorations, his love for the natural world grew. In 1998, he decided to turn his passions for the natural world and photography into a full-time profession as a nature/landscape photographer. His camera has since followed him to such places as the Bugaboos in British Columbia, the rainforests and mountainous regions of the west coast, the everglades and countless National Parks. However, his favorite photographic subjects are what he discovers each morning as he explores his own backyard. Most of the images in Patrick's galleries were captured within 30 miles of his home in Massachusetts.

Patrick is now an established and award winning professional nature photographer. His photographs are displayed throughout New England, and have been published in newspapers, magazines, corporate publications, text books and calendars as well as his ever expanding line of fine art nature cards sold in stores throughout New England. Since beginning his photography career, Patrick has sold thousands of limited edition prints to customers throughout the world. Patrick takes great pride in being responsible for aspects of the printing, matting and framing of his work. His prints can be purchased at Fine Art Shows, through this website, and at his gallery in Pelham, MA. In addition, Patrick has been offering landscape photography workshop for over 15 years with an emphasis on manual exposure image capture and learning to "see what the camera sees".

Patrick’s goal as a nature photographer is to show others that the beauty and magic of the natural world is waiting to be explored in our own backyards. His belief is that we need not travel far but instead slow down and be present where we are to "see" and to experience the magic of the natural world. His hope is that in viewing his photographs, people will be inspired to be present, explore and learn about the wild places around them and appreciate the beauty in the natural world that surrounds them in their everyday lives.

“In wildness is the preservation of the world...” – Thoreau.

Patrick lives with his wife Lisa and their three children in the woods of Massachusetts.

Patrick's Photographic Process

I share my passion for photography with a quest for exploration and learning about the natural world as I would expect all nature and landscape photographers probably do. My passion is not my camera but my subjects; flora, fauna, landscape and light. My photographic goal is to be as true to my subject as possible. I prefer to find the magic in nature versus creating it on my computer. I learned very early on that to be successful in capturing the magic of the natural world I needed to "see what my camera sees" (or more accurately -my film/ digital sensor). Realizing that my camera doesn't see the world the way I do and understanding the limitations of my equiptment directs my photographic exploration. My favorite times of day to photograph are dawn and dusk when night and day transform. I also, enjoy photographing just after a storm when the forest is still and saturated with color.

Although the subject and composition of a photograph are obviously important elements I believe the light in many cases is the most important variable. I also, believe almost any landscape can have a magical appeal when photographed in the right light. When I’m photographing the landscape I typically spend many hours wandering/scouting and searching for my compositions at diferent times of the day to get a feel for how a particular location changes with the changing light. This "wandering/scouting" helps me to have a better understanding of what time of day/year, and what type of light would be best to revisit the location in and increase my odds of being in the magic. I feel a necessity to have a connection to a place before I photograph it.

Most of the photographs in my galleries were captured within a thirty -mile radius of my home in locations I have visited many, times. I don’t believe it is necessary to travel far to experience the magic of the natural world but instead what is necessary is the ability to slow down and “see” what surrounds us in our everyday life.

I feel extremely fortunate and appreciative to do what I do for a living. Exploring and photographing wild places and creatures has provided me with countless treasures and memories but none more important than the gift of presence.

Thanks for your interest in my work and happy wandering.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view ~ Edward Abbey

Patrick's Equipment

• Canon 5D MarkII
• Canon EF 17mm-40mm
• Canon EF 24-105mm
• Canon EF 70-200mm
• Canon EF 100mm Macro
• Canon MPE 65mm Macro
• Canon MT-24 Ring Flash
• Canon 580EXII Speedlight
• Various Gitzo Tripods
• Handmade Flash box/diffuser