THE ARTIST'S STORY
"WHERE IMAGES INSPIRE"
As a Wisconsin landscape photographer, each photograph I capture is nature's song that sings forth before me.
The clouds billowing overhead, the trickle of a nearby stream, the soft wind, allowing the trees to join the chorus - all contribute to th harmonious experience.
To quote John Denver:
“I don’t want to just entertain people, I want to touch them”
My intention goes beyond merely showcasing beautiful sights; it’s about inspiring emotions and creating a connection that resonates within the viewer.
When you look at my photography, I want you to immerse yourself in that moment, to breathe in the fresh air, and to feel the warmth of the sun on your shoulder.
Where images inspire -- that's the sole purpose of my photography.
DRAKE FLEEGE
ARTIST & PHOTOGRAPHER
EARLY INFLUENCERS
(Not who you might imagine)
John Denver and John Muir are more than familiar names in the world of nature to me—they’re the north star that breathes life into my landscape photography.
Their deep love for the natural world resonates within me and shapes the way I see, feel, and capture the environment in which we live.
Just as John Muir’s devotion to preserving wild places and John Denver’s melodies honoring the land continue to inspire me, I try to carry a bit of their spirit into every photograph.
When I look through the viewfinder, I hear the music created from the scene — each element an instrument adding its voice to a larger, living song.
My photography connects nature in a way that feels personal to you.
Perhaps you too, will hear music, to be touched by the breeze you may feel, as you "step into the scene" of my photography.
SELF-TAUGHT IN NATURE'S CLASSROOM
In the early ’70s, while stationed with the Navy in the sun‑washed expanse of the California Mojave Desert, I discovered my love for capturing the land.
What began as a way to pass the time quickly became something deeper—a way of seeing.
The towering Sierra Nevada Mountains rose in the distance, their rugged silhouettes catching the light in ways that stirred something inside me.
That breathtaking backdrop ignited my creative spirit and set me on the path I still follow today.
As I moved on from military life, my interest in both landscape photography and the natural world never waned.
With a natural science degree behind me, I spent years on the road in my sales career, constantly noticing scenes that would have made beautiful photographs - constantly capturing images, though without the camera.
A conversation in Denali became the turning point.
On Friday, October 13, 2006, I moved on from my previous career and followed the path I’d been drawn to for so long - and became a full‑time landscape photographer.
YOUR PRINT
THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF MY VISION
As an artist, I value the freedom to shape the images that come to life in my mind the moment I press the shutter.
From the instant I step into a scene, every decision is intentional.
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While post‑processing helps enhance my vision, it’s the initial capture—the moment looking through the viewfinder—that sets this vision in motion.
From creating the image to personally printing and hand‑signing each print, only when I am completely satisfied will the print leave my office.
When you bring home a print from Powder Hill Photography, you become an integral piece of my creative journey - the way I see and share the world in which we live.
Why do I personally print your print? This short video explains.
POWDER HILL PHOTOGRAPHY
"Where Images Inspire"
"The Power of Imagination
Makes us Infinite"
~ John Muir
A QUIET INVITATION
WHAT IS THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY?
Join The Artist’s Journey for an intimate view of my photography, the stories behind images, my philosophy that shapes my photography, and the vision captured at the click of the shutter.
You won’t find discounts, promotions, or urgency here—just an honest look into one artist's journey.
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How often will you see this?
Approximately 5-6 times each year.
"Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops
Sail o'er the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
And all that we can be and not what we are"
–John Denver (Eagle & The Hawk)
Thought for the Day
"If you do what you can do,
and I do what I can do,
together, we can make a difference.”
~ John Denver
