My name is Matt Payne, and I’m a nature/landscape photographer based in Durango, Colorado. Over the years, my path has led me to a deep relationship with nature that defines both my work and my lifestyle. I was raised in Colorado and spent much of my childhood outdoors, exploring the rugged mountains surrounding me. Those early days instilled a fascination with nature and an unbreakable bond with the wilderness, and they ultimately inspired me to dedicate myself to capturing the landscape in a way that reflects both its grandeur and its fragility.

Photography didn’t always come first for me. I initially approached these landscapes as a climber and mountaineer, eager to explore and conquer Colorado’s iconic fourteeners. I spent countless hours navigating these landscapes, driven by a passion for the heights and the challenges they posed. In 2012, I completed the 14ers and in 2018, I finished my goal of climbing the highest 100 mountains in Colorado. Somewhere along the line, my relationship with the mountains shifted. I realized that instead of just summiting peaks, I wanted to capture the beauty that had been inspiring me all along. Photography offered me that outlet, allowing me to share my experiences with others and convey the immense scale, isolation, and magic of these remote places.