Photography is an incredibly important part of our company. Through exceptional photography, we are able to share our stories and experiences of Peru with our customers, friends and families. That’s why we are excited to announce our partnership with photographer Nate Luebbe who will be joining Killa Expeditions on several trips this season. Get to know more about Nate below:
What made you want to travel to Peru?
I was born with mountains in my heart. Something just calls to me about jagged, glaciated peaks, and that’s a resource that Peru has in spades. The Andes are some of the most impressive mountains on Planet Earth and I just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see them firsthand.
What made you reach out to Killa Expeditions for collaboration?
Killa has an incredible online presence. For my first trip to Peru in 2017, I did a ton of research for various trekking companies, and the stunning visual portfolio of Killa Expeditions immediately drew me in. It’s an immense honor to be chosen as a photographer to help build that tradition.
What are your goals for this trip?
My goal (as with any trip) is to take photos that truly capture the sensation of the moment. The Andes are absolutely immense, both in scale and culture. I want to capture that scale, the feeling of almost immeasurable immensity so that people who have yet to visit Peru can experience at least a fraction of its grandeur.
What are you most excited for?
My full-time job is backpacking and camping with my camera. What is there to NOT be excited about?!
What are you most nervous about?
I fly into Cusco and have roughly 36 hours before my first trek above 16,000 feet. As a Colorado boy, I’m generally very good with altitude but I would be lying if I said that didn’t make me a bit nervous!
How did you get into photography?
Every weekend of my college years was spent in some sort of outdoor adventure. Being the hooligans that we were, I figured it was best to document our experiences because a few of the stories seemed too tall to be real. As time went on, I realized I wasn’t happy with the low-quality shots coming from my phone and decided to invest in a real camera, and the rest is history!
What stories do you try to tell through your work?
My main goal is always to tell the real story. If I’m working for a brand, I try to capture the spirit of that business. When visiting a foreign country I want to capture not just the scenery, but the people and culture that make that location so great. Every place on Earth has a story to tell if you’re willing to watch and listen.
What will you focus on while in Peru?
Peru is a country absolutely steeped in culture, and the Peruvian people are beyond proud of this fact. I will, of course, be doing my best to capture the unparalleled natural beauty of the Peruvian landscape, but I am very excited to experience life in Cusco once again. The incredible colorful clothes are a fantastic starting point, but the rich culinary traditions, extraordinary architecture and weekly festivals will keep my camera on overdrive!
A note from Killa:
We are thrilled to partner with Nate Luebbe on many of our favorite treks this year. At Killa Expeditions, we work hard to center our trips around adventure, land stewardship, education and local communities and we know that Nate will help us tell the intricate stories behind the treks and the local people who own these lands. When we first saw his photography, we were blown away by his exceptional use of light and composition as well as his clear skill at composing images to craft stories. We are incredibly excited to form this partnership with Nate who has developed a remarkable and unique photography style, while also being a genuinely compassionate and fun-loving person.
Want to meet Nate and join him on a trek? Book between May 25 – June 25th on any of the following treks:
- Ancascocha Trek
- Rainbow Treks
- Choquequirao Treks
- Lares Treks
- Salkantay Trek
- Rainbow and Lake Humantay Day Hikes
See more of Nate’s work at his website or follow him on Instagram. Email us for the specific trek and tour dates Nate will be documenting.
