Scott Smith began taking photos of the West's wild lands in the early 1980s - snapshots to show his family and friends. He began working as a full-time freelance photographer in 1988 after he quit his job as a research meterologist at Utah State University. His photos of North America's wilderness - protected and unprotected - now frequently appear in such places as National Geograhic Society books, Wilderness, Sierra, and numerous calendars. His book, "Nevada, Magnificent Wilderness" was released by Westcliffe Publishers in 1996.

Scott lives in Young Ward with his wife, Mary, and a large tabby cat. When not in the backcountry they grow a big garden and train llamas.

stsphoto@mtwest.net