Adam Schallau is a photographic artist who was introduced to art at a very young age. Before finding his way to photography, he worked in oils and clay. Born in 1974, his family is from Iowa and Texas. After his family moved back to Texas in 1989, he discovered through his roaming, a love for the land and its people. Texas was his gateway to the American West where his work captures the spirit of the people and their land.
His publication credits include calendars, magazines, websites, and travel publications and guides including Sunset Magazine, CNN, New Mexico Magazine, Barnes & Noble Wildflower Calendars, iFotoGuide: Grand Canyon, and Photographing the Southwest – A guide to the natural landmarks of Colorado & New Mexico.
In 2002, Adam began exhibiting his photography. His work has been displayed in many great venues including Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, the Colorado State Capitol, and Grand Canyon National Park where it is part of the park’s permanent collection. In May 2011, Adam and his Grand Canyon photography collection were brought to Fort Worth, Texas in a pair of exhibits for Imagination Celebration’s project: America the Beautiful – A Celebration of Our National Parks.
Adam has received many honors for his photography. He was a winner in the National Wildlife Magazine 2005 photography contest, and took first place in the 2007 New Mexico Magazine photo contest. He is a recipient of the Luminous Landscape Endowment which provided grant funding for his photographic exploration of Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. Adam was the official photographer of the 25th Annual Taos Pueblo Powwow, and is also a former Artist-in-Residence at Grand Canyon National Park.
Environmental & conservation awareness issues are of great importance to Adam. His photography has been used in support of these issues, including the successful movement to preserve New Mexico’s Valle Vidal. He also donates his time volunteering with Parks-in-Focus, whose mission is to connect underserved youth to nature through photography.
Since 2001 Adam and his wife Sally, along with their dog Ouray, have lived in Taos, New Mexico where he has a studio near the plaza. When he’s not busy creating new photography, he is most likely leading photography workshops in Taos and at the Grand Canyon, sharing his passion with others.