Colorado’s Next Premier Landscape Photographer

Young man standing in a forest of golden aspen trees in Colorado.

My name is Lucian Manthey. I am a 19-year-old nature photographer based in Denver, Colorado, a fifth-generation Coloradan, and a citizen of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma. My journey as a photographer began with camping expeditions and backpacking trips with my family and school, which ignited a love for nature and the Rocky Mountains at a young age. At 13, I picked up my mom’s digital camera and started to capture the moments of awe I had come to love.

Whether it be the vibrant colors of a sunrise, high peaks reflecting in an alpine lake, or the Milky Way arching across the night sky, my images reflect my love of nature above all else.

To me, photography is more than just creating beautiful images—it’s about connection, conservation, and advocacy. Our landscapes are constantly evolving, and now more than ever, they need protection. Climate change, overuse, and other environmental challenges threaten our public lands and wilderness areas. I aim to use my work to raise awareness and encourage responsible stewardship.

A person stands on a grassy area by a river, taking a photo of the sunset sky with a camera on a tripod. The sky has large clouds with pink, orange, and purple hues, and the landscape includes mountains in the distance.

A person wearing outdoor clothing and a backpack is setting up a camera on a tripod on rocky terrain in a mountainous area. The landscape features rugged mountains under a sky with scattered clouds during sunset or sunrise.

Through my photography, I wish to share the wonder of the natural world and advocate for its protection. My passion for conservation fuels everything I do, from the images I create to the business paths I pursue. I aspire to follow in the footsteps of those who have used their craft to make a difference. I want to become Colorado’s next premier nature photographer, using my camera as a voice for the landscapes that have given me so much.