MPB Meets: Landscape & Adventure Photographer Jordan Lancaster-Graham

Landscape and adventure photographer Jordan Lancaster-Graham has captured some of Europe’s most stunning vistas. Jordan recreates the location’s natural beauty with striking creativity, using a combination of a Sony A7R III full-frame mirrorless setup and a DJI Mavic II Pro drone. 

In this interview, find out more about Jordan’s process for finding and shooting those awe-inspiring landscapes. As well as sharing advice for other photographers, Jordan discusses the importance of durability and versatility from camera equipment—and how teamwork is vital when preparing for efficient shoots. Read on to learn more and check out those images.

MPB: Can you tell us about your background in photography?

JLG: The first time I ever took an interest in photography was on a trip to Iceland. A family member gave me their old Nikon D90 with a few lenses. From there, my interest grew exponentially. For me, my love of photography stemmed from experiencing new places and immortalising them with my own creative spin.  

MPB: What’s your process for finding locations? 

JLG: It’s through a combination of things, mainly using Instagram and Google Maps but sometimes blogs can help too. Initial shots of places are usually found on Instagram, either by following photographers or just happening upon shots taken at amazing locations. Before going on trips, my friends and I always schedule a few calls to go through the potential spots we’ve found and try to group them together by geographic location. By planning this way, and keeping the distance between them to a minimum, we can hope to hit more spots in a single day. My friends, who are great at spotting these locations, have proven to be invaluable.

MPB: Your work is dominated by the natural world, but often has a human perspective. Do you feel like this helps the viewer imagine themselves there?

JLG: I think so. And this does not always mean the inclusion of people in a photograph. I think this can relate to the marrying of the beauty of the world around us, with a creative style that can only come from people. I hope that, from my photography, people can see both the wonders of the natural world and the artistic side of what I’ve created. 

MPB: What equipment are you using at the moment?

JLG: My kit includes a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Sony A7R III, Zeiss16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS T* and SamyangAF 50mm f/1.4 FE. I consider all these parts of my kit absolutely essential. The drone for the perspective and cinematic footage is impossible to capture from the ground. My Sony for its incredible clarity, durability and incredible dynamic range. The 16-35mm for the wide landscape shots and the occasional bit of astrophotography, if I’m lucky. And the 50mm f/1.4 for the shallow depth of field, making for crisp portraits and buttery smooth video. 

MPB: How important is the durability and ruggedness of your kit? Does this affect your equipment choices? 

JG: This is critical for me. A lot of the places I visit are known for pretty bleak and hostile weather, so there is a huge emphasis on durability. I have handled my Sony A7R III in some pretty horrendous weather conditions, especially in Iceland and Scotland. The A7R III is weatherproof, but not completely waterproof, so—just for that extra bit of protection—I also have additional rubber housing over the top of it. I do my best to take extra good care of my kit. But, given the nature of some of the places I visit, combined with the hiking and constantly switching lenses, it’s inevitable that my kit will get bashed around a little. But—touch wood—I’ve not had to replace any of it so far. 

MPB: How important is it to have the right travel partner? 

JLG: Before you go, it’s important to make sure you’re aligned with your fellow travellers. If I’m with friends and we’re travelling to somewhere purely for photography, then everyone will already be fully aware that the trip will consist of long days, early starts and long drives. Additionally, if I am travelling somewhere more for relaxation with my girlfriend, it is equally important. Misalignment or differing expectations can cause friction, which is something you want to avoid while travelling.

MPB: What are your future plans? 

JLG: There are a few places on my radar for the upcoming year or so. I am due to head back to Iceland in November for just under a week. Hopefully to experience some more wintery conditions and with a bit of luck, catch the aurora. My friends and I are also planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan in 2023 for a more off-the-beaten-track adventure. I intend to focus a lot more on my photography over the next 12 months too; I’ll hopefully be adding a lens or two to my arsenal as well. 

MPB: What advice would you give anyone looking to get into photography? 

JLG: In a word: practice. Shoot what you enjoy shooting and always do your best to enjoy the process. These may sound clichéd, but they really are true. With time and practice your skillset will grow, you will train your eye and you will hone your own creative style. But beyond this, the most important thing to do is enjoy it! 

MPB: Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

JLG: For anyone reading, I would just like to encourage you all to get out there and keep shooting. Over the past two or three years or so, I think a lot of people’s sense of curiosity and adventure has taken a hit—it’s important not to lose it.

Check out more landscape photography tips in our interview with Jonny Hill.