Hillary Fox is a photographer, author, and educator. Originally from Detroit, she can now be found, in between her globe-spanning adventures, residing near the canals of Amsterdam. Hillary's subject matter ranges from stock photography to fine art, arid mid-west to urban decay, and all points between, making her a diversely experienced professional with keen insight into numerous styles. Her range, vision, and hours of hard work have resulted in her developing a huge online following, and this in turn has lead to her instructing via her various websites, photowalks, and now burgeoning writing career. It is with great pleasure that I draw your gaze this month to the work and vision of Hillary Fox.

The road through Valley of Fire in the Mojava Desert.

How did you get interested in photography?

Like many others, the pages of National Geographic entranced me when I was a kid. I was filled with wonder over the strangeness and diversity of our planet and people. In the third grade, I wrote that I wanted to be a photographer in Africa and help make the world a better place. Today, I'm happy to say I'm living the life I dreamed.

Amsterdam at night.

How long have you been a photographer?

That depends on when you start counting. I took photography classes as a teenager and learned how to develop film the old-fashioned way. I'll never forget that trademark chemical smell of a darkroom, and how magical it is to work the enlarger and dodge and burn by hand with light. In the year 2000—the dawn of the digital era—I bought a Canon Pro90 IS, some cheap studio lights and backdrops, and setup a home studio. I shot cheesy portraits and weddings for friends, often with film. (What pressure that was!) It wasn't until 2004 that I rented a small storefront in my hometown, upgraded to a real DSLR, and started shooting professionally. I stumbled into architectural photography for luxury homes and became a contributor with iStockPhoto and Getty Images. Ten years later, here I am. Self-taught and always learning more. I've sold tens of thousands of image licenses and am now a Stocksy United contributor.

Reflections in open water in rural Portugal.

A view in Antelope Canyon.

What is your favorite place to photograph? Or subject?

I have a deep love for photographing landscapes, particularly the Southwest United States. I'm inspired by the arid desert and all its weirdness. I find the process of scouting beautiful locations and patiently waiting for the right light to be incredibly peaceful and grounding. Some say that you don't really live if you're always traveling behind a lens, but I feel most connected to the earth in those quiet moments when I examine her in my frame. To photograph is to see.

A view from Fira on the Greek island of Santorini.

How can photographers help change/impact the world, while they are traveling?

There's an incredible organization I'm now working with called The Giving Lens that hosts photography workshops in exotic locations around the world. They partner with local NGOs to give back to the community and teach photography to impoverished kids. It's a great way to have a positive impact while traveling. I'll be heading to Morocco next fall to co-lead a workshop with Kate Siobhan. Very much looking forward to that!

Unique homes of Oia on the Greek island of Santorini.

Are there rules in other countries people need to be aware of about who or what you can or cannot shoot?

Certainly! In South Africa, I ran into trouble while shooting stock photography at an outdoor market in Cape Town. You often need permits to formally shoot outdoors, everywhere from cities to National Parks. In Marrakech, street photography was difficult. Women there have less rights, and some are afraid of ending up on a postcard and bringing shame to their families. It's important to be aware of these things and respect the wishes of your subjects.

A lone tree in rural Portugal.

Any photography tips you want to share?

When it comes to travel photography, my best advice is to do your research before you go. Study existing photography on your subject and location. Learn what's already been done, discover what can be done, and consider how to capture or process something differently to stand out. I wrote an article about this if you're interested: http://ongoingpro.com/travel-photography-shoot-like-a-pro/

A storm in Southern Utah.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

I've spent the past year working on the publishing company I founded, OnGoingPro, a helpful industry resource for professional photographers. While I've worked as a photographer for 10+ years, my background is in web development and graphic design, and I love to write. It's been a satisfying experience to combine all these things I love into one big endeavor.

Haarlem, Netherlands in the fog.

http://hillaryfox.com
http://stocksy.com/fox
https://facebook.com/hillaryfox
https://twitter.com/hillaryfox
http://instagram.com/hillaryfox
http://google.com/+hillaryfox

The abandoned St. Agnes church in Detroit, Michigan.

Jordan Oram is the Photography Editor for Wandering Educators.

He has a passion for encouraging and empowering others to realize the combinations of their unique passions and strengths. In April of 2012, with $250 to his name, he travelled more than 10,000 km, over 7 months, across Canada and back, which is the subject of this new ebook. Since then he's continued to travel around to where he's invited, with no home of his own, to encourage people to rock out their awesomeness. Find him at www.maplemusketeer.com

All photos courtesy and copyright Hillary Fox