ST. GEORGE, Utah — For Southern Utah nature photographer Chet Steele, capturing the perfect moment in the desert isn’t a matter of quick luck, it is a discipline measured in patience, preparation, and hours spent watching unpredictable storm clouds roll over red rock cliffs.
From desert tortoises navigating desert shrubs to Great Basin rattlesnakes posed against mountain backdrops, Steele’s work offers local residents an intimate look at the region’s untamed beauty.
A Passion Born in Death Valley
Steele’s journey into photography began roughly 11 years ago during a trip in Ridgecrest, California. His uncle, Rod Beynon, came down to photograph Death Valley. Armed with only a basic point-and-shoot camera while his uncle operated professional equipment with large lenses, the experience ignited a lifelong passion.
Raised in Farmington, Utah, he spent his youth hunting and trapping alongside his father. Following his father’s passing, he shifted his focus entirely, trading firearms for camera lenses to capture and preserve the natural world.
“Now, I just shoot everything with a camera,” Steele said.
Finding Paradise Beyond the Crowds
While Southern Utah is world-renowned for Zion National Park, Steele often seeks solace away from heavy tourist traffic, favoring quieter, elevated terrain such as Kolob Reservoir.
“Living down here, this is like a photographer’s paradise,” Steele noted, explaining that avoiding crowded park roads allows him to connect more deeply with the landscape and native species.
His portfolio features iconic regional wildlife, including horned lizards, desert tortoises, and venomous snakes. Depending on the season and temperature, Steele’s schedule adapts to animal behavior—heading out during cool summer mornings or late afternoons as reptiles prepare for brumation.
The Calm Among Rattlesnakes
While most people retreat at the sight of a rattlesnake, Steele finds a unique sense of peace around them, using macro lenses to capture detailed portraits from safe distances of about four feet.
“Rattlesnakes are my favorite. They just calm me down,” Steele shared, recalling moments spent reading their body language while positioned low on the ground. During one excursion, a sidewinder rattlesnake even sought shelter inside his camera lens hood while bystanders watched.
Steele’s guidance in the field has also inspired fellow wildlife photographers, including a peer who captured a first-place award-winning photograph at Peach Days after learning to safely navigate close encounters.
Patience, Process, and Community Impact
Behind every finished photograph lies extensive preparation. Weather conditions, cloud cover, humidity, and shifting light dictate whether a trek up the mountain will yield a striking sunset shot or an empty frame.
“A lot of people think it’s easy, they think you just go out and take a picture,” Steele said. “Nobody understands the travel, the costs, and sitting there waiting for the perfect timing.”
His dedication has earned widespread local appreciation. Recently, Steele’s photograph of a pygmy owl gained statewide attention after being featured on KSL News. Across regional Facebook communities, his posts routinely receive enthusiastic support, particularly from homebound and elderly residents who rely on his imagery to experience Utah’s outdoors.
“There’s a lot of older people that are like, ‘I can’t get out. I’m so thankful for your photos,'” Steele said. “That’s what I’m here for.”
Looking Ahead
Beyond social media engagement, Steele offers custom metal and paper prints directly to local residents and collectors. Looking to the future, his ultimate bucket-list goal is to take his craft international with an African wildlife safari.
Until then, Steele remains dedicated to offering fresh, unique perspectives on Southern Utah’s landscapes—one storm, tortoise, and rattlesnake at a time.
If you’re interested in following or purchasing Chet Steele’s art, you can follow his Facebook page, where he posts all of his work and sells prints.
