Everything I take a picture of, I try to think of it as a new invention

               for someone to see. If it comes out perfect it is because I put my

               heart into it. And if the viewer likes it, it is because his or

               her heart and emotions accepted it.

               -Curt Peters

Curtis Peters Photography

My first camera was a Minox,  the smallest production 35mm camera in the world.  There was a comic mismatch between its microscopic controls and my large hands. But the tiny world I saw through that miniature viewfinder convinced me that I had to be a photographer. After just a few rolls of film I decided that this camera was suitable for a spy (or squirrel) but not for a fine arts photographer.  I traded up to a Pentax single-lens reflex with interchangeable lenses and began focusing on the world in a new way.

After attending Oregon State University for a few semesters, I transferred to the University of Arizona in Tucson. After collage, I pointed my camera at the landscapes of 27 countries from the Caribbean to Alaska. I developed my wildlife and macro skills by photographing tarantulas, monkeys and poison dart frogs in Costa Rica; Macaws in Guatemala; hummingbirds in Panama; scorpions in Mexico; glaciers in Alaska; sloth and fast women in Colombia.  I knew I had made the right career choice.  

I found valuable skill-building experiences in photo labs, portrait studios and in retail sales positions. I was accumulating a wealth of experience in color balance, retouching, digital technologies, calibration and lighting.  In Los Angeles I was fortunate to study advanced digital techniques under John MacLean, one of the most skilled fine art photographers in America.

I decided to take my accumulated skills back to Oregon and to start my own business.  In May 2006 I set up my studio, lab and gallery in the historic 1910 William Kyle Jr. Building in Old Town Florence. I began shooting formal portraits, weddings, high school senior’s portraits, events, babies, pets, creative landscapes and fine art. My primary interest has been printing the works of other photographers at the highest possible quality.  As my recognition grew, my fine art prints began to sell.

Currently, I am still running and operating my business, Digital Dunes Photography in Florence Oregon. I have opened a new larger and nicer Studio & Gallery location in Florence’s business district. Although most of my living is made through my services, my passion is still landscape and wildlife photography. Many of my Fine Art Photographs have won contests and been awarded. My images have graced the cover of many phone books, magazines, calendars and even a few billboards. Many of my art pieces have been sold and are displayed world wide. I now have accumulated a few hundred thousand images and have presented my favorites in my new on-line store and gallery, Curtis Peters Photography.

I hope you enjoy my photography as much as I enjoy producing it. I am fortunate to be able to pursue my passion here on the Oregon Coast in a community so rich in culture, diversity and natural beauty.