As a kid growing up on the streets of Richmond, CA, I would never have guessed I would be traveling the world. I loved my childhood in so many ways, however, it was a tough childhood as well for me in the schools and on the harsh streets of the area. My parents owned a “Mom and Pop” grocery store (McKay’s Market) that our home was attached to. Despite some tough times, I have tons of fond memories growing up, working in the store, and learning how to work hard. That work ethic was instilled in me from a very young age and still exists today.

My parents always believed in me and my siblings. They did everything they could to help us find our own way. But those streets were difficult, and I often wonder where I would have ended up had we stayed in Richmond. Back in those days, I received my first camera around the age of 11. A Kodak Disc! Something was sparked in me with that and I have always had a love for capturing moments.

When we moved to Auburn, CA on my 16th birthday, I believe the trajectory of my life was then changed forever as I was fortunate enough to work for part of my high school credits at a local camera store in Grass Valley. This really began the journey for me into the world of making images for a living. I have been a professional photographer for over 30 years and have photographed hundreds of families and weddings. My first studio was opened in 1988.

That work, although not shown here, is most of my photographic life. Maybe, someday I will share that story. I feel honored to have been able to be such a part of so many families’ lives and their stories. I have photographed children as newborns, watched them grow through the years, and then photograph their graduation senior portraits and even their weddings! I have seen clients that I have loved, pass away, and yet know that our portraits will continue on for their families. It has been a wonderful challenge and honor to be a portrait photographer.

That chapter in my life has come to a close. I have come to love our clients and still find joy in photographing families, but this is another season.
This season is filled with new clients, travels, dreams, and photography. This is what I want to share with you now.

This collection of work is largely from photographic tours around the world that I have led along with my wife Ally and our team the last several years from
2012 – 2019. You will find a few images from earlier travels as well. These are images I felt compelled to place in this collection of images and body of work.

I have taken thousands upon thousands of images in our travels for the last several years. I have divided this collection into three main sections of images. These are Landscape, Wildlife, and Culture.

Another decision I had to make for this collection was the amount of time editing and working each image I would take. In each image shown, I have spent countless hours and time working, re-working, and fine-tuning. And yet, I will never be done.

Some of these images may change again in the future. I recognize that as I continue to change, so may my techniques and my images. It seems as well that as I revisit my images from time to time, such as I have when putting this collection together, I continually notice imperfections and areas of an image I may be able to improve.

Therefore, my work will never truly be finished. That is ok. That is part of my process. That is part of my journey as an image-maker. As I look back on images, I see how I have changed and grown as a photographer over time. Sometimes I will look at an image and think to myself “what was I thinking there
while editing!” This is all part of the process, of the journey, and in continuing to grow as a photographer.

Because of this process, some of the images in this collection have been re-done and started from scratch in the editing process. If you were to look at the original edits, you would see a major difference in the techniques used. However, some of the images, have remained the same as when they were originally edited depending on the image itself.

I think you will see that depending on the year the image was originally made, there is a difference most notable in my editing techniques and how I present my images to the public as finished.

Ansel Adams, who remains one of my major influences, changed over the years. Images that he originally worked in the darkroom, he would revisit years later and you can see his techniques changed. Again, all part of the process, of the journey!

Professional Photographers of America –

One of the great achievements in my life as a photographer has been earning the title and degrees of Master of Photography and Craftsmen from
Professional Photographers of America.

PPA is the leading professional photography organization in the world today and these “degrees’ represent some of the highest achievements one can
make. They are awarded by a number of factors including images being judged and scored in the annual International Print Competition. You can only enter four
images a year in the competition and you need 13 image “merits” as part of being awarded the Master of Photography degree.

If an image scores incredibly well, that image can then be judged worthy of acceptance into the PPA Loan collection and it is awarded two image merits for this
achievement. I still enter the competition to this day. Why? Because I know it continues to make me a better photographer. I would like to thank PPA for the pursuit of photographic excellence and I am grateful for what this organization has meant for me in my life and career.

Image-Makers –

There are so many image-makers and friends that I am honored to know and/or have been inspired by.  It would take many pages to share all of them with you. However, in particular, I would like to thank Jeff Dachowski and Tim and Beverly Walden for pushing me to be the best I can be and being not only extraordinary photographers and image-makers but extraordinary human beings.

Family –

I would like to credit and thank Joyce and Ross, my mom and dad, for being right there and supporting all of my efforts along
the way. I miss them very much but know they would be proud of the journey they helped place me on and am forever grateful
for all they have shown me and the wisdom and guidance they gave me.

I would like to thank my kids. Ally and I are gone a lot. That is the toughest part of what we do and it is part of our life. I have to admit, that part of my inspiration and selfishness for this book is so that my children have something in a collection of work of mine. Taylor, Ian, Lauren and Luke, you all amaze me
and I could not have asked for better kids! Thank you for understanding what we do. I love you all and hope you enjoy these images now and for years to come.

I would like to thank the McKay Photography Academy team. Toby, Steve, David C, Frank, Kaz, you guys are an inspiration to me in many
ways. Photography is just one facet of that. I am grateful that I am able to call you colleagues and business partners, but
more importantly, friends.

To my brother and sister Paul and Sharon. You have always been there for me. Through all of the ups and downs and trials
and triumphs of my life, I could and can always count on you. I hope you are proud of your “little” brother. I know I am sure
proud of you and am thankful for our relationship and each other.

Ally McKay –

As I sit here and write this, we are currently on a flight (imagine that) and you are by my side. We have not had an
easy road oftentimes. Traveling can and does take its toll. However, we have traveled the world together! We have
seen and experienced so much more than most people ever are able. I am continually inspired by you. I am inspired by who you are as a person and a photographer. Your images are a constant challenge (in a good way) to me and you have helped shape me as a person, husband, father, and
photographer.

Thank you Ally for taking this journey with me. There is no one in the world I would rather be on it with.