At the age of six I received a camera from my father, an amateur photographer. Later, making my first black and white prints, I recognized the amazement of photography was to be my life's passion. I studied photography at Art Center College of Design. After graduation I worked with the National Park Service using photography to document socially caused changes in the natural environment. In the 1970’s I had the privilege of assisting the late Ansel Adams for three years. Inspired by Ansel’s love of the natural landscape, I produced a series of fine art photographs devoted to Mt. Rainier. These are now in permanent collections in China, Australia, Seattle, and Mt. Rainier National Park.

In 2005 I established a Federal (501c3) non-profit foundation Naamehnay Project - Question of Power. The foundation creates human stories of individuals, families, and communities. Stories of unheard voices affected by the extraction, production, consumption, and waste materials of coal in the creation of electricity for America. Ride in Beauty is our non-profit fund-raising event for 2012. On May 23 -26 I will be leading a workshop to support the work of Naamehnay Project as part of our fund-raising event. Beginning of June 4, 2012 I will be riding my American-made motorcycle for 3000 miles around the Grand Circle of the Southwest for Ride in Beauty 2012. You can follow the ride on our blog. We need your support for this important work. Please visit our fund-raising support page and consider joining in on the event.

I am a descendant of the Wicocomico Tribe, Taptico family. My strong belief and respect for the earth and all creatures is the continual theme in my work. My photographs have been published in numerous newspapers and publications including Associated Press, NPR - Living on Earth, TEDx, New Mexico Magazine, and Honor the Earth. My project work was nominated for the National Geographic All Roads Projects. I have received grants from the Evergreen Foundation and the Impact Fund for my social justice work. Redux Pictures in New York syndicate my photo essays nationally and internationally.

As a life long educator, I believing in sharing knowledge and inspiration with students. I have taught at Seattle Central Community College, College of the Redwoods, Art Institute of Seattle, and Santa Fe Community College. In addition to workshops I produce with my wife Nancy, I teach workshops with Santa Fe Workshops, National Geographic Expeditions, Anderson Ranch Center for the Arts, and Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

be strong, be safe, Carlan

email: carlan@carlantapp.com

phone: 505.670.2560