We recently connected with Lucian Manthey and have shared our conversation below.
Lucian, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
Burnout hits every creative person at some point, especially when you’re up hiking in the dark at 4 a.m. and spending long nights editing. For me, I like to remember why I started photographing in the first place: to give the Colorado landscape the justice it deserves. When I start to feel drained, I step away from the business side and just get outside again without the pressure of creating breathtaking images. I’ll take my dog for a hike or drive up a mountain pass with no real plan. That reconnection with nature always allows me to reset.
I’ve also learned to slow down and treat photography less like a race and more like a lifelong adventure. Some of my best images have come from moments where I allowed myself to simply experience the land before even touching the camera. That balance keeps the work authentic, and it helps me create photographs that people truly connect with (the kind they want hanging in their homes.)
At the end of the day, avoiding burnout isn’t about doing less. It’s about remembering that each print I sell represents not just a photo, but a real experience in a place I love. Keeping that connection alive is what sustains both my creativity and my business.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Lucian Manthey. I am an 18-year-old nature photographer based in Denver, Colorado, a fifth-generation Coloradan, and a citizen of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma. My journey as a photographer began with camping expeditions and backpacking trips with my family and school, which ignited a love for nature and the Rocky Mountains at a young age. At 13, I picked up my mom’s digital camera and started to capture the moments of awe I had come to love.
What makes my work special is that every image starts with being fully present in the landscape. I don’t rely on composites or extreme editing to show the beauty of the Colorado wilderness. My goal is to inspire people to slow down and hopefully develop a deeper respect for our wild places.
My photography is available to purchase as fine-art prints and in my annual Colorful Colorado wall calendar. Each print is produced with archival materials and available in a variety of sizes and mediums, from photographic papers to premium metal and acrylic. I also collaborate with Colorado businesses, conservation groups, and media outlets who often use my images to highlight the beauty and importance of this state’s landscapes.
I’m currently working on expanding my print offerings and bringing my work into more local galleries and retail spaces. I’m also selling my 2026 Colorful Colorado Calendar, featuring new photographs from across the state. My calendar is a project that’s become an annual tradition for both me and my collectors.
Ultimately, my goal is to build meaningful relationships with people who share a love for Colorado’s wild places. Whether someone buys a print, a calendar, or just follows along on social media, I want them to feel more connected to the land that inspires it all.
If you’d like to see more of my work or order a print, you can visit LucianManthey.com.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three things that have made the biggest difference for me are persistence, observation, and business awareness.
Persistence came first. Landscape photography is unpredictable; you can plan everything perfectly and still get subpar conditions or lighting. Early on, I learned that success comes from showing up again and again and sticking through it even when conditions aren’t ideal. The more time you spend in the field, the more opportunities you create for those rare, magical moments. My advice is don’t quit after a missed shot or a slow month. Keep going. Consistency always wins.
Observation is what separates a decent photo from a great one. It’s not just seeing the landscape, but noticing how light, weather, and time of day transform it. I’ve learned to pay attention to those small details, like when there’s a gap in the clouds at sunset or a small pond that may create a reflection.
And finally, business awareness has been huge. A lot of photographers shy away from the business side, but understanding marketing and management concepts is what allows your art to reach people. I run my photography as a business because it gives me the freedom to keep creating. For anyone starting out, learn how to present and sell your work early. Building a website, writing good descriptions, and forming real connections with customers are just as important as the photos themselves.
If you can combine these qualities, you’ll not only grow as an artist, but you’ll also build meaningful skills that will carry you far in life.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely. Collaboration has always been a big part of how I grow as a photographer and business owner. I’m especially interested in partnering with Colorado-based brands, galleries, conservation organizations, and tourism groups that share a passion for nature and sustainability. Whether it’s showcasing fine-art prints in local spaces, licensing images for campaigns, or working together on projects that highlight Colorado’s landscapes, I’m always open to creative partnerships that tell authentic stories about this place.
I also enjoy collaborating with writers, filmmakers, and other photographers who want to combine visuals, words, and motion to capture the spirit of the outdoors in new ways.
If you’re interested in collaborating or have an idea you’d like to explore, the best way to reach me is through my website at LucianManthey.com. There’s a contact form there, or you can email me directly. I’d love to connect and see how we can bring something meaningful to life together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lucianmanthey.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lucianmantheyphoto
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lucianmantheyphoto
Image Credits
Lucian Manthey Photography
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