Mission Statement
After more than a decade exploring and photographing South America, Alex DeMets founded his own tour company to deliver high-quality photography tours to photographers looking to discover the continent’s landscapes and cultures. His mission is to guide guests to the continent’s most pristine landscapes, while providing in-depth instruction in both the technical and artistic aspects of photography. He aims to create unforgettable adventures, and lasting connections to the landscapes and cultures of South America. Alex’s photography tours are ideal for those seeking customizability, the chance to experience South American culture, in-depth photographic instruction, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and a refined, one-of-a-kind experience.
My Story
My photographic journey started as a kid growing up surrounded by cornfields. From a young age, I was drawn to two endeavors: creation and exploration. Being a fusion of these two endeavors, nature photography appealed to me from the first time I picked up a camera. Given my thirst for adventure, growing up in the Midwest of the United States was difficult. My teenage years were spent daydreaming of exploring the landscapes I’d see on the websites of professional photographers. It was during these countless hours browsing photographers’ portfolios that I started to understand how these photographers went about crafting their images, and my passion for the art of photography was born.
Determined to forge a career in photography, I set out to explore the American West upon graduating high school, even making my way to Alaska. It was then that I began to truly hone my skills and develop a unique style. But by the time I turned 20, the allure of domestic travel began to fade. Looking for inspiration and adventure, I bought a one way ticket to Peru.
Upon arrival, it was love at first sight. The Andes rivaled even the most dramatic peaks I’d witnessed in Alaska. The Amazon held countless unphotographed waterfalls and iridescent butterflies. Traveling involved trips in rattling vans down dusty roads, and long boat voyages down jungle rivers. Interacting with new cultures added an intriguing new dimension to the experience. Travel felt gritty, chaotic, and spontaneous. As a 20 year old photographer seeking adventure, South America was the place of my dreams.
Even on the first trip, I knew that I would spend the next several years of my life returning. Each consecutive trip, my Spanish improved. I made more friends with locals. My understanding of the weather patterns and the landscapes grew. The more I learned, the more fascinated I became.
I bought a motorcycle and began to venture into even more remote regions of the jungle and mountains. I met a girl, and began to bring her along on my adventures. I opened my own gallery, and began to display the work I had created in my travels. I began leading my first ever tours, guiding photographers on adventures of their own. A decade slipped by, but my love for the continent and the art of photography only grew.
More or less, that is the story of what brought me here.
My journey in South America and photography continues to this day. One thing that I have learned along the way is that photography is about far more than just photos. It is about experiences, connections, learning, and feeling. As an artist and a guide, I strive to create tours which incorporate all of these elements. For those who also seek to find these things through photography, I invite you to join me on my adventures.