James Harris: Colorado Landscapes, Master Craft, and the Art of Slowing Down
December 19th, 2025
Dawn’s Early Light, cropped
Few landscape photographers capture Colorado’s beauty quite like James Harris. From his window in Colorado Springs with stunning views of Pikes Peak, he lets the mountains shape both his personal perspective and his art.
For James, Colorado landscape photography isn’t just about capturing nature’s splendor—it’s about slowing down, appreciating the little things, and letting the story of the surroundings unfold naturally. His Zenfolio website provides the perfect space for that vision, giving each image room to breathe and allowing his work to truly shine.
From coming to Colorado and seeing the Front Range to being able to look out my window and see Pikes Peak every day. A lot of people don’t know that Katherine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” after visiting the summit of Pikes Peak. Her “purple mountain’s majesties” is Pikes Peak, and “above the fruited plain” was Colorado Springs. — James Harris
From Pikes Peak to a life in landscape photography.
James’s connection to Colorado runs deep. Living amid this dramatic terrain, with mountains that demand attentiveness and color that shifts with every tick of the clock, has shaped the way he sees the world. “Of all the mountains in the United States that are over 10,000 feet… 90% of them are in Colorado,” he points out…a reminder not only of the overwhelming scale but of the state’s unique resplendence.
These peaks haven’t just been his backdrop; they’ve been teachers, shaping his eye and guiding his approach to fine art landscape photography. Every sunrise, every shadow cast across the river-carved valleys, feels like a quiet lesson in patience, mindfulness, and observation.
Inspired by Arizona Highways, rooted in the Rockies.
James’s journey as a landscape photographer began with a magazine, Arizona Highways. Its glossy pages, showcasing the culture and iconic desert imagery, sparked his desire to create images that make viewers feel as if they could step right into the scene.
I came across a magazine that caught my eye—it’s called Arizona Highways. I knew just looking at those photos that, someday, I would like to be in that magazine. — James Harris
He started poring over photographs by other artists, studying what made certain images jump from the page. That sense of curiosity and wonder continues to guide his work today, reflecting a deep appreciation for the world around him.
His NextZen website aims to transport visitors into each image, inviting them to wander through the light and shadow of a Colorado fall day, just as he experiences it in the field.
Studying the masters and earning a Master of Photography.
James’s dedication to his work inspired him to study some of the great masters of landscape photography. He spent hours studying the composition of their photographs, learning how they balanced light and shadow, and just what makes a photograph feel truly alive.
What makes me most proud of my work would have to be the journey here, from studying other photographers; fantastic landscape photographers. Carr Clifton, Phillip Hyde, and David Muench. Ansel Adams obviously was one of my first loves. The journey includes developing your own style; it’s not following somebody else and shooting exactly like they did. — James Harris
All that dedication eventually culminated in a major milestone: earning his Master of Photography degree from PPA in 2022. Of the sixteen images he entered at the International Photographic Competition (IPC) from 2019 through 2022, all images merited, a humbling testament to the patience, focus, and care it took to get to this level.
His photography portfolio website mirrors that steadfast commitment to his vision, showcasing galleries that highlight both technical skill and the exceptional beauty he captures through the lens, allowing the work to speak for itself.
Why James shoots for quality, not quantity.
If there’s one philosophy that defines James’s approach, it’s this: less is more. One thoughtfully composed frame can be all you need to capture the moment–although there will always be other perspectives, different seasons, and gloriously significant changes in the light that bring you back.
Simply put, James isn’t chasing every mountain peak or photographing every leaf—he’s seeking the moments that resonate with him, that tell a story, that will last long after the image is printed and mounted on the wall. From capture to edit to uploading photos to his online galleries, he makes sure that every image receives the attention it deserves, allowing the narrative to come through with intention and without distraction.
A platform that fits his work and workflow.
Over the years, James has found a digital partner through Zenfolio. He’s been using the website for over ten years, watching it eventually transform into the new NextZen platform.
I’ve been using Zenfolio now for over a decade. Watching it evolve to the NextZen platform where everything is so visual–you just drag different elements onto your website. You design it the way you want; it gives you all the tools to customize the look. — James Harris
With Zenfolio’s versatile and customizable photography portfolio tools, James can design stunning galleries that truly capture his artistic vision. Rather than relying on a generic template, he can curate a distinctive website that beautifully represents his unique style and brand. Each gallery becomes a standout presentation, showcasing his work in a way that speaks to his creative identity.
The drag-and-drop functionality and visual editor make the design process simple and intuitive. For a landscape photographer who values intentionality, it’s everything he needs, and nothing he doesn’t—letting his work stand out from the crowd.
The art of slowing down.
At the heart of James Harris’s story is the art of slowing down. From Colorado Springs to the peaks of the Rockies, every chapter of his journey underscores patience, focus, and intention. His approach to photography emphasizes shooting fewer frames with more thoughtful purpose.
James’s approach isn’t just about landscapes…it’s about connection. His Colorado Wildflower Reports Facebook group is now over 10,000 members strong. For James, photography goes well beyond simply capturing images—it’s about creating meaningful moments that people can share, appreciate, and learn from together.
By carefully curating galleries that tell a narrative and using a Zenfolio photography website and portfolio that highlight his work above all else, he demonstrates that mastery isn’t about the number of photos you take or the speed at which you take them. It’s about really seeing nature in front of you, understanding the light, and letting the story emerge all on its own.
For new photographers embarking on their own artistic journey, there’s a little business lesson here: a photography portfolio website should serve your vision, not complicate it. An online gallery can complement and bring your work to a whole new level, letting every detail, every shadow, and every color breathe a life of its own. Zenfolio has been that partner for James…present but unobtrusive.
Whether it’s a Colorado field of wildflowers in the spring, the craggy snow-covered peaks of the Rockies, or the deep yellows and vibrant reds of a fall landscape, James Harris shows that great photography is about mastery, patience, and purpose
Experience James Harris’s stunning work:
See how James brings life into every frame, and how Zenfolio helps him share his work with the world! Watch “James Harris: Colorado Landscapes & the Artist’s Journey” and explore his Zenfolio galleries.
