A Spark of Curiosity

Growing up in Alabama, I was no stranger to thunderstorms. Like many future meteorologists, though, I was terrified of them. The booming thunder and flashes of lightning were intimidating. As I learned more about the science behind storms, that fear gradually turned into fascination.

That fascination truly began in first grade. I wasn’t much of a reader, so my teacher handed me a book about lightning, hoping it would spark my interest. She couldn’t have known just how much it would change my life. That book ignited a passion for weather that has never faded. That same year, I attended my first Skywarn storm spotter training, where I met James Spann and Brian Peters for the first time.

Chasing a Dream

By sixth grade, my passion had only grown stronger. Thanks to Meaghan Thomas, I had the opportunity to visit ABC 33/40 in Birmingham and see firsthand what goes on behind the scenes in a television weather studio. From that moment on, I was convinced I would attend Mississippi State University and become a broadcast meteorologist.

Life had other plans.

Instead, my journey led me to the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science. There, I discovered a passion for research, field observations, and understanding the atmosphere beyond the television forecast.

Learning in the Field

While studying meteorology, I had the opportunity to experience storms from a completely different perspective. In 2019, I went on my first storm chase with my dad. During that chase, we witnessed the devastating Beauregard–Smith Station EF4 tornado, an experience that reinforced both the incredible power of the atmosphere and the importance of respecting it.

From 2019 through 2023, my dad and I spent countless hours, days, and weeks chasing storms together. Those trips strengthened my forecasting skills, taught me patience, sharpened my decision-making in the field, and created some of my favorite memories. As my confidence grew, I began chasing with friends and eventually on my own, continuing to learn from every storm.

Behind the Camera

Photography entered my life through my dad. He developed a passion for it when I was younger, taking classes to improve his skills and constantly looking for ways to learn. When he upgraded his camera, he handed me his old one—the same camera I still use today.

At first, I photographed local sporting events while watching him create portraits. As our interests evolved, we began photographing the night sky and chasing storms together. Eventually, his passion for wildlife photography became my own. Spending time outdoors, patiently observing wildlife, and learning to tell stories through photographs became just as rewarding as forecasting the weather.

Even today, my dad remains my biggest mentor in photography. I still send him many of my favorite images, and he never hesitates to offer honest feedback on how I can improve. At the same time, he’s always the first to appreciate the moments I’ve captured. That balance of encouragement and constructive criticism has played an enormous role in helping me grow as a photographer.

While my dad helped me develop my skills behind the camera, my mom has always been one of my biggest supporters. From the very beginning, she encouraged me to follow my passions and reminded me that I could accomplish anything if I was willing to work for it. That confidence has carried me through every stage of my journey, from studying atmospheric science to building Steven in the Wild.

She also happens to be one of my biggest fans. Whether it’s sharing my latest photographs with friends and coworkers or celebrating each new adventure, she’s always been proud of the work I create. Having that kind of unwavering support has meant more to me than I can put into words.

Heading West

After graduating with my degree, a friend and I made the decision to move to Colorado. It was a leap into the unknown that ultimately changed not only where I lived, but also how I experienced the natural world. I quickly learned that not every adventure ends with an award-winning photograph, but every adventure leaves me with a greater appreciation for the world around me.

Living in a place filled with new wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and unique weather pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Colorado gave me the opportunity to experience nature from an entirely new perspective, and with it came a deeper passion for wildlife photography and conservation.

Since making the move, I’ve been fortunate to witness incredible moments in nature, meet inspiring people who share the same appreciation for the outdoors, and continually strengthen my skills as both a photographer and an outdoorsman. More than anything, Colorado helped me realize that photography isn’t just about creating beautiful images—it’s about telling the stories of the places, wildlife, and experiences that make our natural world so extraordinary.

Steven in the Wild

Steven in the Wild was created to be more than just a place to share my photographs. It’s a place to share the stories behind them and inspire others to explore, appreciate, and protect the natural world.

Whether it’s patiently waiting for wildlife to appear, witnessing the power of a thunderstorm, or watching a sunrise from a mountain trail, every adventure has a story worth telling. Those stories have the power to spark curiosity, replace fear with understanding, and deepen our appreciation for the incredible world around us.

My hope is that when you leave this website, you don’t just remember a photograph—you remember the experience behind it. If even one story encourages someone to step outside, learn something new, or care a little more about conserving the places and wildlife we share, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope you’ll stick around, explore the galleries, read about my adventures, and maybe even find a photograph that brings a little piece of the wild into your own home.