About Zachary Chapman
Photo from River Legacy Living Science Center (2024 Fall)
It is all about getting into the thick of all things to get the best images I can. One of my tricks is to make photographs real enough as if you could just walk right into them. When I photograph animals and wildlife I convey emotion and charisma getting close to what I am photographing (within safe parameters). I ensure that I am not in any danger even when I am out and about. I care about the health and safety for all of my subject matter.
From all of my adventures I have encountered many creatures and situations and it can be quite risky. You have to be out in the elements to get the full story. I am a Native Texas Born and raised but Texas is just one place in this immense world of wonder. Traveling has allowed me to make deeper connections and engage with various communities and wildlands. Nature is vast and expansive; I go down so many rabbit holes when I photograph new things.
Always be curious, explore, and never stop learning. Make everyday a learning experience. You never know what you’ll find around the next bend. Being curious is how I got to come into my profession. Being diagnosed with Autism and ADHD I am hyper focused and I have used it to my advantage. Exploring and testing the structure of the world and how everything is intertwined. I am a graduating senior at the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelors in Liberal Arts. My concentration is in photography as a Major and Museum Studies as a minor. I am a nerd through and through for all things wild. I use my images to tell stories and engage with folks and speak up for all of our wild creatures. I don’t just take photos but engage with citizen science, collect data, no telling how many microscope slides I have gone through. There is always something new and wonderful to get into.
Nature study in all facets and all lights is important. Nothing can exist without the other. When it comes to my experience I have applied logic and philosophy to all I do and encounter. Taking a photograph is to look deeper and to gain deeper understanding of the world around us. On days when I am not in nature you may find me playing in local Pokemon Card Tournaments, Comic Book shops, and Fandom Conventions. I am a Trekkie, Browncoat (Firefly Fan). Sci-fi helped aid in my understanding of nature. Seeing how people created the monsters of my favorite movies like Men In Black for instance. Learning how creatives create their iconic aliens, monsters, and creatures made me even more of a nature fan. One of my favorite facts is that the creator of Pokemon was in fact an insect enthusiast; he caught insects as a child. So no matter where you look and turn nature is all around. Nature is for all; young and old. To explore nature is to gain wisdom, knowledge, and a wealth beyond your wildest dreams.
Explore my website and share in the wonder of discovery. Maybe read my stories, check out the archive, and maybe buy a print or two for your business or home. I look forward to seeing you on the trail.
Citizen Science In Action (BioBlitz 2022) Macro inverts exploration
From an early age I have always found myself marveling at the world of nature. Getting lost in the wonder and mystery of it’s many realms and layers. I always found interest in how it it was all combined and how each bit of nature fits into the larger image. From fossil hunting since the age of six to birding in high school. Nature adventure has always found me. It is recent years I am now coming to my own as a nature photographer. I volunteer as a state certified naturalist for Texas, I do a lot of nature talks, I speak for homeschool groups and other education groups.
My passion lays in all things wild. I specialize in macrophotography (Insects), birds, mammals, plants, fungus, reptiles/ frogs (Herps), landscapes, built environment and then some. I am a curious soul and want to bring people nature together. We all belong to nature and nature has a place for all of us. We must meet nature halfway to protect it. This comes with teaching children and adults to be nature stewards and be leaders in their community. To understand the wonders of all things great and small.
Wildlife is important to us all and there is a delicate balance. This has always been my mission. Not to take just pretty pictures; but, to add scientific data points. Education on the creatures I photograph. It is all about engagement with all folks. My mission has always been to document nature and show people just how precious and delicate all life and each balance truly is.
Behind the Scenes Macro Photography (Fall 2024) River Legacy
About my photography and other works
It is not just about getting a cool photo; it is the art of the observation. A story to be told about nature’s intricate details. It is a way to get closer and change perspective. Macrophotography is the main focus while working in the realm of the big. Seeing the big picture is all part of the game. However, one must look at life from all angles. No area is off limits; From landscapes, to animals, plants, reptiles, amphibians, to nature in peril. It is all about telling the story of nature from the creatures that make up the life support system of our planet; to finding ways to help nature. Using images to help bring awareness and education is part of the larger plan. Bringing people closer to nature and making it accessible. Many places use subscriptions and it is harder for some to get quality imagery and education on the web. Nature is not just for the privileged; we are all a part of the natural story. This is all part of what nature photography is all about. This is the call to action and the mission: inspiring future nature stewards one photo at a time.
Quanah Parker Dam: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (Comanche County, OK, Early 2021)
Sometimes when not working on photography I will occasionally work on other projects. Yet, like this mariners wheel which I worked on in a bronze casting course; I stay well in my wheel house. Art is amazing for it can be transformative, interpretive, and can convey the same message in many other ways. Art is truly it’s own language and it can be understood by the masses as a universal idea.
For me this a way I express my love of nature. I do not do sculpture all that often but this relief here is one of my favorite projects I worked at my Junior year of attending UTA. Each window shows a piece of nature while setting into to the wheel. The wheel represents the history and exploration; the heart of the voyage if you will.
The pieces in the centers like the wasps nest show my love for insects and macro imagery. Going counter clockwise, the plants you can see the Inland Wood Oat flower seed I used, then the fossils I had collected from the Mineral Wells Fossil Park in Minerals Wells Texas. Fossils being one of the first things I found interest in. I have more seeds in the next window since I love plants and I find plants to be a major interest as they resemble the prairie and forests. The shark tooth is a favorite detail as I love sharks. Not just for the fish itself but for the power they have; the myth and the folklore that comes with it.
The next window is another seed pod that looks like a space object. Earth, the stars, other planets, asteroids, comets, nebulas, and planetoids are all part of the tapestry of nature. They full canvas as I often refer to it. Then the mountain based on my memory of the Cliff Dwellers in Colorado one of my first memories of the mountains.
I love history of maritime traditions, early days of sail, the compass and the art and science of every voyage. I am old fashioned and like the traditions of the sea. Yet, most of my work is all contemporary. I find there is a balance. This is one of the projects that I am most proud of. This piece shows my heart in a different light then my other pieces. This was part one of two bronze projects I worked on.
The patina and color is to make it look as if the piece has been weathered by the ocean and the light is like the ocean’s reflection.
It’s all starts with travel and finding a place to explore. Making a plan and finding new areas to explore. Once your feet are on the open road then the true adventure begins. This is what makes the photographs. Exploring places near and far with a camera in hand. Taking the shots; learning to read the environment and exploring what is beyond the horizon. Taking a look at the big picture and then zoom in. As you take photos; take note of what you see. Make a sketch and write. This is what I do often. I keep many journals of my travels and adventures when I am exploring the wild.
American Coot (Fulica americana), Bowman Springs Park 11-5-2025, Arlington TX
A Naturalist’s Wheel House translated in Wheel House, UTA project in Bronze, 10 1/2 inches around (lost wax) 20 LBS (2023)
I also spend a great deal around birds and their migrations. From a citizen science aspect this is vital to understand the trends. Each year; like anything, there are various fluctuations in species and numbers. My photography is primarily for understanding of the world around. I upload files to other sites that deal with citizen science. It is in this way I can keep tabs on what I see and what other peers and colleagues see. It helps me stay connected and involved with folks who are in the naturalist fields.
Birding is how I got started in my quest for photography. It was not always about the insects but for my fine feathered friends. I enjoy birding; it is one of my main passions. When it is not insects it is birds. I often reserve birding for spring and winter as the migrations happen. I do get around to photographing them if they are around.
It does not matter what species I photograph I study every aspect and make it worth my while. Wildlife is my main thing when it comes to exploring and photography.
“Two Sides: The Battle of City Living and Longing for Nature” (Black-and-white Version) Arlington Texas, 2023
Through my creative processes I have spent a long time learning how to be a better nature photographer. This means to take on projects that I normally wouldn’t have done. In doing these projects I have found a nice path to work on them as I work on nature based projects. Black-and-white imagery is something I normally do not do; however, it is a fun process when I can get to it. I have quite a few images that showcase this style of imagery that I have done from early days of Tarrant County College to the University of Texas at Arlington. This image captures my love of nature but being trapped in city life. How I live around this is I find nature in my daily life. Be it walks around campus, going to the lake, going to a local, state or national park. I spend a lot of my time traveling and educating myself about life. I have gained a deep philosophy along the way; I think of it that if you are a naturalist you have to spend sometime in the solace of nature. You have to be silent, look around, feel the energy call to you. You begin to pick up on things. Your senses get heightened and you find yourself as you lose yourself in the wonder of the wild.
Each artist has their own philosophy, mindset, inspiration; those they look up to. For me, it is understanding the world through science and museum studies while taking photographs. I started down the photography path in 2014 but being part of the Future Farmers of America back in high school (2010-2012) and all the things that came before I was already going down the naturalist’s path. I just added photography to the mix and began working in the fields of citizen science and nature education. I am passionate with a zest for life and discovering new things. I am an eager learner and explorer; always wanting to do a deep dive and I want people to join me in that discovery. It is all about building bridges and exploring together and to learn and have fun. Science and photography should be made fun; if your not having fun your not doing it right. Yes, you should be serious but do not take yourself too seriously. Nature is a place where all can learn and thrive. For I came out of a six hour surgery on my enlarged kidney; went out in nature to recover shortly after I was released from the hospital (2014) and when I got that Nikon Coolpix I was never the same. I became a naturalist and gained understanding for all things great and small. Life is precious and that is what I communicate in my photos; to raise awareness and to find the balance in life and to help build bridges to where they may lack. It is all about the idea of coming together to explore and understand the world together.
Spiny Murex Shell (Fort Worth Zoo Texas Nature Traders, Summer 2025, Fort Worth TX) Macro image