I’m so proud to announce that I’m officially a Leave No Trace Aware Photographer.

Leave No Trace (LNT)  is a set of ethics and best practices we should all follow in order to enjoy and protect the outdoors at the same time. Leave No Trace applies to anyone who spends time outdoors, not just photographers. However, I took an entire course specifically for photographers about how I can practice LNT in my photography business and help my clients do the same.

What is Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace is a center for Outdoor Ethics whos mission is to Ethics protect the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. LNT has a set of 7 minimum-impact principles, that help guide people’s decisions when they’re outside. The principles are:

1. Plan Ahead & Prepare
2. Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of other visitors

© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org

These principles are for anyone who spends any time outdoors. By being a Leave No Trace Aware Photographer, I now know how to apply these principles to my photography business. For example, I am now more aware of how myself and my clients can practice the LNT principles at sessions, weddings, elopements, and any other event that I photograph outdoors.

Why did I take the course?

I took the course because I love the outdoors! I started photography because I wanted to take landscape photos of the state park I was working in at the time. I have a deep love and respect for the outdoors, and in my photography business, I specialize in outdoor weddings, elopements, and sessions.

We all have the huge privilege of being able to access amazing public lands like National Parks, State Parks, National Forests etc. and use them as backdrops for photography. With that privilege, comes the responsibility for all of us to protect and conserve those public lands.

I was aware of the LNT principles before, bu now I’ve made a commitment to do my best to protect and conserve public lands in my photography business, while also helping my clients do the same.

What does it mean for my business?

Being a Leave No Trace Aware Photographer means that I now have a better understanding of how I can operate my business in a way that will help myself and my clients have a minimal impact on the environment. I can help you pick a location, prepare for your day, enjoy your day, and share your day all with the environment in mind.

Weddings, elopements, and photo sessions can have a big cumulative impact on the environment. Without following Leave No Trace, this is what could happen:

• Locations that are currently available for weddings, elopements, and sessions could become off-limits for special events and professional photography. It could become impossible to come back to a location for a vow renewal or anniversary session in 5 years.
  
  
• The spot where you had your engagement photos taken could get so badly damaged, destroyed, or trashed that it needs to be closed for restoration, and won’t look the same when you want to come back in the future.
  
  
• The prevalence and costs of special event permits could spike, causing it to become very difficult to have any kind of event on public lands.
  

By reducing our impact as we visit, photograph, and celebrate outdoors, we can protect these places we love! 

Leave No Trace with me!

Chances are, if you’ve landed on my website or blog, you also care about the outdoors. I hope you will also commit to doing your best to practice Leave No Trace!

Learn more about Leave No Trace.