Madi Clark photo of a wide landscape with mountains in the background, taken with the Nikon Z 30.
Capturing the magic of golden hour in this mountain scene was all about timing but also reminded me to get creative with the lighting I currently had at that moment. The warm light amplifies the vibrant greens in the meadow, and I chose to use the wide-angle lens that embraces the full grandeur of the landscape.

Madi Clark’s photography journey began in childhood when she received a camera for Christmas. She was immediately hooked:

“I carried it everywhere. From camping trips to days at the zoo where I’d photograph all the animals big and small.”

With encouragement from her artist father, Madi learned the basics of color theory, lighting and composition and never looked back. “It wasn’t just about taking pictures,” she says, “it was about learning to see the world through a different lens, quite literally. It’s transformed how I experience special memories and day-to-day moments.”

Photo of Madi Clark photographing her dog and a photo of her dog holding her hand
One of my favorite uses for wide-angle lenses is to showcase a point-of-view shot that invites the audience into the moment. With Ember engaging directly with my camera, it creates an immersive experience that makes people feel like they’re right there with her. Using these kinds of shots helps bridge the gap between the viewer and the subject.

Madi has her creative partner, Ember, in tow on all her expeditions. Ember is a 6-year-old Australian Shepherd whose vibrant personality shines through in every photo that they share. Asked for the secret to their social media success, Madi cites three core elements:

“The art of visual storytelling, authentic writing that captures our genuine experiences, and the natural connection between Ember and me.”

Madi sees authenticity as the key to making content that resonates with their audience:

“From the way we showcase Utah’s landscapes through quality images to the honest stories we tell about our life together. My priority remains simple: create beautiful, meaningful content that captures real moments while ensuring Ember’s well-being always comes first.”

2 up photos of Madi Clark's dog taken by her with mountains in the background
These two shots of Ember demonstrate the storytelling power of different focal lengths. The wider shot places her within the mountain meadow landscape, while the tighter portrait focuses on her expression and personality. Together, they show how lens choice can dramatically shape the narrative of a single moment.
Madi Clark photo of Ember, her dog, with mountains and golden light in the background
The NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S lens proves its versatility here. Shot at a wider aperture, it creates this intimate portrait while still capturing the environmental context. The close proximity to Ember combined with the lens’s ability to pull in background elements creates an engaging personal perspective.

Madi’s main camera is the compact, mirrorless, APS-C size/DX format Nikon Z 30. She explains what makes it perfect for her needs:

“Given the challenging environments I tend to find myself in, durability and reliability are essential. My equipment needs to be as adventurous as I am—that means weather-sealed bodies and lenses that can handle everything from desert dust to mountain mist. Beyond ruggedness, I also need a camera that delivers exceptional image quality and fast autofocus.

The Z 30 gets the job done exceptionally well. It’s weather-resistant, and I love how compact it is—when you’re trekking through the wilderness, every ounce matters, and the crop factor of the sensor gives me extra reach with telephoto lenses, which is incredibly valuable for wildlife photography.”

photo of Madi Clark holding the Z 30 in her hands with her dog on the LCD
The Z 30’s eye-detection autofocus locks onto an animal’s eye and tracks it even when they’re moving.

Asked which features she relies on most for her photography, Madi highlights the Z 30’s speed and suite of autofocus features, among others:

“The eye-detection autofocus is invaluable when I’m photographing animals. It locks onto an animal’s eye and tracks it even when they’re moving, which is essential for getting those crisp, engaging wildlife portraits. Also, the high-speed continuous shooting mode has saved me when capturing fast-moving subjects, whether it’s wildlife or Ember running around on our adventures.

I also really appreciate the Z 30’s customizable function buttons, which I’ve set up for quick access to my most-used settings. When you’re tracking wildlife or working in changing light conditions, you often don’t have time to dive into menus. Having instant access to ISO, focus modes, and exposure compensation means I can be quick to capture moments that happen in an instant.”

Madi Clark photo of wildflowers, taken with the Nikon Z 30
When lighting is constantly changing during golden hour, I like getting creative with angles and height. In this case, I walked by what looked like some ordinary wildflowers next to the trail, but the moment I pulled out my camera and flipped open the screen, I was able to see how the light was hitting these wildflowers and how the backlighting illuminated each petal from behind, revealing delicate details and creating that ethereal glow.

In addition to its powerful photo features, Madi also relies on the Z 30’s wireless connectivity, using the SnapBridge app not only to export images to her phone and laptop but also as a remote control.

“When I’m out photographing, I can set up my camera on a tripod, compose the shot through the app screen on my phone, and capture myself authentically interacting with Ember in the landscape. This eliminates the need to run back and forth to the camera, which saves time and helps me create more natural-looking content without compromising image quality.”

Madi Clark photo of a landscape framed by foliage
Using foreground elements for framing is one of my favorite techniques. It creates depth and draws the viewer into the scene, making them feel as if they’re peering through a natural window. The layering helps translate that ‘you are here’ feeling I experienced in the moment.

How does Madi preserve the fun of photography now that it’s become her full-time career?

“It’s an interesting challenge because photography is woven naturally into almost everything I do outdoors, so maintaining the joy in photography is crucial for staying creative. Wildlife photography has become my creative sanctuary—when I’m photographing animals, I’m completely immersed in the experience, and it reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. I’ve also learned that sometimes it’s okay to experience a beautiful moment without reaching for my camera. Understanding when to capture and when to simply be present has made me a better photographer overall.”

Madi describes each photograph as “a moment of complete presence and connection,” and her passion for photography has also deepened her relationship with nature:

“I want to tell stories through images that might inspire others to see the natural world as worth protecting and exploring. This mindset of always being ready to capture something extraordinary has made me more aware, more patient, and ultimately more grateful for where I live and the opportunities I have.”

Madi Clark

Madi Clark is a lifestyle and nature photographer based in Utah. She and her Australian Shepherd Ember can regularly be found trekking around the southwest in search of new sights and inspiring vistas.

Follow Madi and Ember’s adventures on Instagram and on Madi’s website.