LaughingTotem Photo is a site dedicated to images of the natural world, regardless of scale. There are grand vistas and pictures of the parts that make up the whole of nature. Images minimizing man's influence on nature and images of people interacting with it on an intimate level. It's a place whose reason for existence is to ignite an appreciation for the natural world in newcomers to the outdoors, and to rekindle in seasoned outdoor veterans, the fire that made them put on hiking boots in the first place.

About
I started taking nature and landscape photographs several years ago as a complement to my other outdoor interests: hiking, climbing, and kayaking. It wasn't until I moved to the mountains of northeast Georgia in 2000 that photography became a pastime in and of itself. The southern Appalachian mountains offered such a wealth of photographic opportunities that I started hiking in order to take pictures rather than just carrying a camera while hiking. As time progressed, I realized that while I was on my way to places that are generally considered "good" for nature photography, I was bypassing many less well-known spots and small "extracted landscapes" that represented the area as well as the myriad waterfalls and mountain-top vistas did. Photography became a motivator for me to slow down and be more observant. I still count the more majestic features among my favorites, but I now try to display a more personal and intimate portrait of an area I've grown to love.

Mark Calcagni
LaughingTotem Photo