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My Story

I grew up in the Endless Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, surrounded by farmland, forests, and foggy morning fields. That quiet rural backdrop gave me a deep love for the outdoors—and a deep desire to see more of the world. As a kid, I was lucky to travel across much of the U.S., and that sense of wonder never left me.

Photography started as a fascination with the “perfect shot”—a moment of stillness or movement that could carry real feeling. Whether it’s a hawk mid-glide, an ancient alley in a Spanish village, or a flower pushing through sidewalk cracks, I try to capture scenes that make people pause and feel something. Not because the viewer has been there, but because something about the image resonates.

Today, I mostly photograph nature, architecture, and travel—often a blend of all three. I’m drawn to places with mood, mystery, and a story beneath the surface.

My path hasn’t been a straight line. I left college twice, and only recently returned as an adult student. That journey—imperfect, ongoing, and full of detours—is part of what informs my work and how I see the world.

When I’m not behind the lens, I’m probably hiking, road-tripping, sitting in stillness, or hanging with my two ridiculous pets: Farkle Sparklebutt and Jenga Joon.

I keep coming back to two pieces of writing that shaped me: Desiderata and The Road Not Taken. One reminds me that “the universe is unfolding as it should”; the other that choosing the less obvious path can make all the difference. I suppose photography is one of the ways I walk that road.

Let’s Connect

State College, PA

 

T: +1 972-83-NOLAN
E: nolan@nolanbennett.net